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andyb1126

andyb1126

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Andy
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Wondering if anyone can give me their opinion please?

I cant decide what to do with my lens setup.

Ive currently got a Sigma 10-20, Sigma 24-70 2.8 Macro, and Sigma 70-200 2.8. (I traded an L 17-40 to get the first two which has irked me ever since but thats another story!)

In terms of range, its perfect. In terms of quality, it aint! (well except for the 70-200 which still impresses me) The 10-20 is only sharp in the middle until around f/11 or 13 when the corners improve. The 24-70 is only sharp up to about 50mm and 2.8 is a waste of time. So that pretty much renders them useless for all the reasons I bought them.

Now, I keep reading good things about the 15-85 and my thinking at the moment, is to trade both the above lenses and get a 15-85. Yes, I think I might miss the 10mm, but Im willing to accept that in order to get a lens that is capable and sharp in all corners at all lengths and apertures, with a view to getting the Canon 10-22mm at some stage in the future.

So I suppose what Im asking, is will the 15-85 give me what Im looking for? A lens that stops me worrying about the aperture and the focal length and will give me sharp shots the majority of the time.

Thanks in advance
Andy
 
Hi Andy

Can't comment on the 15-85 as I've not used one, but the other thing to bear in mind is you'll loose the F2.8 from your 24-70. I know you say you're not happy with it, but if you go for the 15-85, you won't have it...

How long / how old are the Sigma lenses - wonder if it's worth contacting Sigma and having them checked - I've the 10-20mm and love it...

If it really still hurts about selling the 17-40 - why not get another ?
 
The macro version of the 24-70/2.8 is quite an old one isn't it? Why not replace it with a Tamron 28-75/2.8? This is a well respected fast zoom on crop. Focusing isn't particularly quick, but it's more than useful and will give very decent IQ. If you could sacrifice the really wide end of the 10-20mm, you could also go with the Tamron 17-50/2.8.
 
manualfocus-g said:
The macro version of the 24-70/2.8 is quite an old one isn't it? Why not replace it with a Tamron 28-75/2.8? This is a well respected fast zoom on crop. Focusing isn't particularly quick, but it's more than useful and will give very decent IQ. If you could sacrifice the really wide end of the 10-20mm, you could also go with the Tamron 17-50/2.8.
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That one was the very worst lens I had displeasure of ever using.

I'd suggest getting Tokina 11-16 or 12-24mm, then add Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 or 28-75 or 24-70mm and you are good to go. This will surely fix your corners :thumbs:

I'd only try Sigma's very latest glass like the new 35mm f/1.4
 
Thank you very much for both your replies.

Andyred :- I know what you mean about not having the 2.8, but in reality, I dont feel as if I have it anyway, as I just cant use it, its that bad Im afraid to say. I think the IS might also be more beneficial to me now. Ive had both the lenses a couple of years now. The 2.8 has been back to Sigma 3 times now so Ive given up and just concluded that its just not a good lens. Ive not done anything with the 10-20 though. Do you find yours is sharp in the corners? The only problam I had with the 17-40 was the lack of length which prompted me to get rid. I was hoping that 15-85 might give me the quality of that lens with the added reach.

manualfocus-g :- Yes it is quite old now. I hadnt actually considered Tamron, as I dont really know much about them but Ill take a look at those, thank you. The other reason I was looking at the 15-85 was to cut down on lens changing.

Thank you very much for both your replies. Much appreciated.

Andy
 
daugirdas said:
That one was the very worst lens I had displeasure of ever using.

I'd suggest getting Tokina 11-16 or 12-24mm, then add Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 or 28-75 or 24-70mm and you are good to go. This will surely fix your corners :thumbs:

I'd only try Sigma's very latest glass like the new 35mm f/1.4
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Thank you. Im glad its not just me thats struggled with it.

Would you recommend the Tamrons over the 15-85? Or maybe the 15-85 with the Tokina 11-16 to fill the Ultra Wide gap?
 
FCUM said:
Thank you. Im glad its not just me thats struggled with it.

Would you recommend the Tamrons over the 15-85? Or maybe the 15-85 with the Tokina 11-16 to fill the Ultra Wide gap?
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do you want f/3.5-5.6 or f/2.8?
 
Doesn't meet all your focal length needs but I would suggest evaluating the Sigma AF 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM OS if you're using a crop body, very sharp and has image stabilisation. I've been very impressed with mine. Worth reading about at least. Cheers
 
I got the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 HSM as a stopgap to getting either the Canon MkI or MkII but I'm very happy with the IQ I get from it so I've decided I don't need anything better. I've not used the earlier macro version but I understand it's not the best. I've just added a Canon 17-40 f4L to my setup this week and I'm about finished with my kit now. Just a body that's less noisy than my 7D and I'm set up completely.
 
I have the 15-85 and I am very happy with it. Although I am still learning. It was a massive step up in build quality from my kit lens.
 
FCUM said:
Andyred :- I know what you mean about not having the 2.8, but in reality, I dont feel as if I have it anyway, as I just cant use it, its that bad Im afraid to say. I think the IS might also be more beneficial to me now. Ive had both the lenses a couple of years now. The 2.8 has been back to Sigma 3 times now so Ive given up and just concluded that its just not a good lens. Ive not done anything with the 10-20 though. Do you find yours is sharp in the corners? The only problam I had with the 17-40 was the lack of length which prompted me to get rid. I was hoping that 15-85 might give me the quality of that lens with the added

Andy
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Hi

If you have a look at the Flickr account in my signature, these were taken with the Sigma 10-20mm for my mate who's a joiner. I'm very happy with them, as he is ...

If its been back a few times, then yes think an upgrade is due - have you thought about the Sigma 24-70 HSM (I think) F2.8 ? Seems to get a good following ... How much budget do you have to put to a new lens - is the Canon 24-70 out of reach ?
 
andyred said:
Hi

If you have a look at the Flickr account in my signature, these were taken with the Sigma 10-20mm for my mate who's a joiner. I'm very happy with them, as he is ...

If its been back a few times, then yes think an upgrade is due - have you thought about the Sigma 24-70 HSM (I think) F2.8 ? Seems to get a good following ... How much budget do you have to put to a new lens - is the Canon 24-70 out of reach ?
Click to expand...

I hadnt considered the HSM purely on my experience with this version. Im being offered £400 for the two Sigmas, and can afford to spend a couple of hundered more on top of that.

Cheers, and thank you to everyone for all your replies. Much appreciated.
 
FCUM said:
I hadnt considered the HSM purely on my experience with this version. Im being offered £400 for the two Sigmas, and can afford to spend a couple of hundered more on top of that.

Cheers, and thank you to everyone for all your replies. Much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Not sure of the going rate for the 24-70 sigma you have, but i would have thought the 10-20mm is around £250-300, depending on age / condition etc.

If you're looking to get rid of both, you'll still be short of a Canon 24-70 lens, so might be worth a look at the Sigma. But don't forget you'll be short of anything up to 24mm - do you need to sell the 10-20mm ? Possibly keep it and in the future maybe upgrade to a lens that suits your needs then when finances are better ?
 
Thanks for all your info and suggestions everyone. I did decide to go with the 15-85 in the end and Im really pleased with my choice. The 15mm is wide enough for now and its a world apart from the 2.8 Sigma. I just have so much confidence in it giving me sharp results. Everything I take is spot on. Its a great lens.

Thanks again
Andy
 
Very good and glad you're pleased with your new lens.

Look forward to seeing some photos.
 
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