Sigma 10-20 - Is mine a duffer?

M

morleymackam

Suspended / Banned
Messages
122
Edit My Images
Yes
Bought a 10-20mm Sigma from Jessops and having taken my first few shots i'm concerned that it's not the ultra sharp beast it's touted to be.

I see there are problems with quality so took a photo of a brick wall at 10mm to try and figure it out. The 1:1 crop is the centre of the frame and it just doesn't seem sharp enough to me. Should I return it?






Pics are clickable
 
I'd say that was about right, its at f/4 - 10mm and f/4 is the weakest point.

Try f/8.
 
Also try at 12mm not 10mm. Right at the ends of the zoom are not the sharpest places either.
 
As far as I was aware its not an 'ultra-sharp' beast, rather more slightly soft in comparison to other models...:thinking:



.
 
That definately isn't right, assuming there is no motion blur from handholding.
 
i also have this lens and i was also wondering if i also have this concern, just gone through all my raws and have noticed that i do have the lens at its max (10 or 20mm), for this time im going to assume that "puddleduck" is correct because i got the lens from him and ive seen his shots with this lens and they are sharp!!!. my next time out im going to not have the lens at the max with such a large app.
 
Try Av Mode, f8-f11, tripod, mirror lockup, remote switch or timer, at least 1/40sec.

Your brick wall must be flat (not angled).

Things to look for:
Centre sharpness, if you are happy with it, next, check that sharpness on both sides are the same. This lens is known to have problem with softness on the left compared to the right side of the frame.
 
morleymackam said:
This is another centre crop - this time at f9. Still at 10mm though.
Click to expand...

This is how mine was at 10mm, f/6.3


sigm10-20mm-10mmcrop2.jpg


sigm10-20mm-10mmcrop.jpg


taken from:

DSC_1151.jpg


I'd say that 10mm is probably the weakest point of the lens, but it gets very good from about f/8.

Looking at your f/9 shot, it shows significant blurring, so if you've ruled out shake, I'd suspect you may have a bad sample?
 
This is exactly why I don't rate this lens, despite the good price tag and the plethora of positive reviews. A guy at work bought one and compared to the Canon 10-22mm, it's pooh.
Have heard the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 is a far better lens for just a little more
 
im must compare my sigma lens with another, mmmmm whos got one (wez130)
 
ive got a shoot coming up soon with a PRO, so for the time being il wait and see what happens on that day. I will be taking notes on that day and what ever experience i gain will be passed on. there is some much info/advice to take in from all angles, i dont know if i coming or going. I think being out in the field with camera/lens in hand will prove best. PS. thats my take on it ,
 
Ive tested a Sigma 10-20 against a Canon 10-20 and 17-40 and i cant say that it is pooh.
 
melevo said:
im must compare my sigma lens with another, mmmmm whos got one (wez130)
Click to expand...

I've got one too... will bring it to Whitby (all being well). The trouble I've found with mine is chromatic aberation at either side of the frame. But since most of my pics are downsized for the web, it's not a major problem.
 
The biggest problem with the Sigma 10-20 is finding a good copy, it took me 3 attempts, the 1st I received was extremely soft in the corners at all apertures and decentred, the 2nd copy wouldn't produce a shot in-focus (actually quite similar to the images here)...

on the positive side the 3rd copy I received is excellent, very sharp..so much so I've had to lessen sharpening in PP compared to my Sigma 17-70.
10mm shows some softness in the corners and some slight distortion (not always to my taste). I now use it mostly around 12mm where it's tack sharp & has extremely low distortion.

I'd say the copy you have looks like a poor one, very similar to the 2nd one I received which just wouldn't produce an in-focus shot....exchange it for another, you may need some patience though :bonk:

Simon
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top