Considering getting Sigma 18-35 f1.8

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bildo

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I really thought that people were going to be buying this lens like crazy as it almost seemed too good to be true. Now that it's actually here I've heard barely anything about it and numerous searches on here and other places are still giving me very little information on how good it actually is.

I'm considering swapping my Nikon 17-55 f2.8 and my Nikon 35mm f1.8 and getting myself the 18-35 f1.8 and a Nikon 50mm f1.8.

Can anyone tell me whether this would/wouldn't be a wise move? I've always wanted a fast lens to cover the range between 18-30ish and this is the only real option that has ever come about. I sometimes feel like I could do with more DOF than the 17-55 2.8 has to offer.
 
This lens cannot offer more DOF than your present 17-55 f2.8 lens, and may well have compromises in terms of image quality by comparison in order to achieve such a large aperture. You will only get increased DOF by using a smaller aperture. The one advantage this lens has is to allow more light in, therefore making pictures possible without flash in darker environments. If that's not what you want then there is no advantage I can see.
 
I assumed he meant a shallower DOF than is is acheivable with an f2.8 lens (more would make no sense in context) - to be honest i'd see this as an addition to the camera bag not a replacement for the 17-55 as i suspect you will miss the abilty to zoom in the 30-50 range
 
ancient_mariner said:
This lens cannot offer more DOF than your present 17-55 f2.8 lens, and may well have compromises in terms of image quality by comparison in order to achieve such a large aperture. You will only get increased DOF by using a smaller aperture. The one advantage this lens has is to allow more light in, therefore making pictures possible without flash in darker environments. If that's not what you want then there is no advantage I can see.
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Sorry Toni, I was being stupid and meant what Pete said below regarding shallower DOF. The ability to allow more light would obviously be helpful in certain situations and I'd rather it was there if need be.

big soft moose said:
I assumed he meant a shallower DOF than is is acheivable with an f2.8 lens (more would make no sense in context) - to be honest i'd see this as an addition to the camera bag not a replacement for the 17-55 as i suspect you will miss the abilty to zoom in the 30-50 range
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Thanks for clarifying, Pete. With the photography I do about 80-90% of the time it's more motorsports, and I'm more likely to be using the lower range for 'different' shots and I currently use my 35mm as a walkaround for the pits.

If I was to need the extra reach, I'm fairly sure I'd know in advance and stick the 50mm 1.8 I'm considering getting on.

Does anyone have any idea how the sharpness/AF of the 18-35 1.8 is in comparison to the prime lenses?
 
ancient_mariner said:
This lens cannot offer more DOF than your present 17-55 f2.8 lens, and may well have compromises in terms of image quality by comparison in order to achieve such a large aperture. You will only get increased DOF by using a smaller aperture. The one advantage this lens has is to allow more light in, therefore making pictures possible without flash in darker environments. If that's not what you want then there is no advantage I can see.
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I suggest that you read some reviews as by accounts, optically this is an outstanding lens.
 
Dpr said...

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/sigma-18-35-1-8

"What nobody quite anticipated, ourselves included, was that Sigma could conceivably deliver a lens with optics this good. The 18-35mm isn't just sharp for a fast zoom; in terms of outright image quality, it's a match for many fast primes, even when shot wide open. Obviously, the restricted zoom range will have helped, but even so this is a considerable achievement on Sigma's part. The lens can more-or-less replace a set of primes across its range with minimal compromise in image quality."
 
woof woof said:
Dpr said...

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/sigma-18-35-1-8

"What nobody quite anticipated, ourselves included, was that Sigma could conceivably deliver a lens with optics this good. The 18-35mm isn't just sharp for a fast zoom; in terms of outright image quality, it's a match for many fast primes, even when shot wide open. Obviously, the restricted zoom range will have helped, but even so this is a considerable achievement on Sigma's part. The lens can more-or-less replace a set of primes across its range with minimal compromise in image quality."
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I'm happy to stand corrected for that - thank you.
 
I bit the bullet and just ordered one. Should arrive by the end of November. Reviews seem pretty good and it seems a very good compromise over two wide angle primes.

I wanted something a bit wider than my 24-105, but with the ability to work a lot better in lower light conditions. I found myself really struggling with the f4 in dingy pit garages and motor shows. I'm not really expecting the AF to be as fast or accurate as my other lenses. But I guess it doesn't really matter at such a wide angle.

Will keep you updated when it arrives, but I doubt I'm going to be able to use it "in anger" until next season now. :(
 
george-smith said:
I bit the bullet and just ordered one. Should arrive by the end of November. Reviews seem pretty good and it seems a very good compromise over two wide angle primes.

I wanted something a bit wider than my 24-105, but with the ability to work a lot better in lower light conditions. I found myself really struggling with the f4 in dingy pit garages and motor shows. I'm not really expecting the AF to be as fast or accurate as my other lenses. But I guess it doesn't really matter at such a wide angle.

Will keep you updated when it arrives, but I doubt I'm going to be able to use it "in anger" until next season now. :(
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Did you buy a grey import? Would be interested to know where you got it if it was substantially cheaper than buying over here? Will look forward to your opinion once you get it! Could really do with knowing how quick the AF is, since my 17-55 isn't far off my 70-200 and since I use it for a fast-moving close hairpin it could be the decider really.


Canon600D said:
Bought one in August, sold it last week as went FF. Brilliant lens. Various shots I took with it, hope they help.
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Mark, they're fantastic shots, really give me a great idea of what to expect, for what I generally shoot it certainly looks sharp enough! How quick did you find the AF?
 
I found it perfectly fine! Being able to shoot 1.8-2.8 if you've low light problems it should prevent any hunting. Only thing I miss about having the crop is that lens!
 
Canon600D said:
I found it perfectly fine! Being able to shoot 1.8-2.8 if you've low light problems it should prevent any hunting. Only thing I miss about having the crop is that lens!
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Not so much low light, but with motorsport it's all really quick and my old lenses would spend a lot of time faffing about! Must be saying something for you to miss it that much, sounds like a must have to me, cheers dude. :)
 
God, only been back in the game for five minutes and I already have GAS.
 
bildo said:
Did you buy a grey import? Would be interested to know where you got it if it was substantially cheaper than buying over here? Will look forward to your opinion once you get it! Could really do with knowing how quick the AF is, since my 17-55 isn't far off my 70-200 and since I use it for a fast-moving close hairpin it could be the decider really.
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Yeh, I was a cheapskate and went with an import! :D Got it from Digitalrev. http://www.digitalrev.com/product/sigma-18-35mm-f-1/MTAwMjY1NQ_A_A It's about £100 cheaper than anywhere else and I've heard good things about them. Was a bit of a faff trying to pay for it because my bank thought it was a bit fishy I was suddenly buying something from Hong Kong, but got through with PayPal in the end.

I don't think tracking speed will be too much of an issue with the lens. Basically everything is going be in focus with a wide angle and a small aperture for panning anyway. Will definitely give an update when it arrives though. Hopefully I'll be able to get to a test session at Donington in December to test it. :D
 
Was tempted by one of these but see at Digtalrev its listed as shipping in 3-4 weeks :(
 
Hdew have got nikon and canon, but bizarrely they are also more expensive than both WEX and Clifton (who also have both fits)

Onestop digital have both fits also and are slightly less than uk price
 
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