Wide angle lens for 1D Mk III

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gromit13

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Looking for guidance or advice on which wide angle lens to purchase for use with my 1D MK III.

Currently looking at Canon 17-40mm F4 L or perhaps Sigma 12-24 f4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical HSM.

Given that I already have the 24-70mm F2.8L, it seems a lot of money to gain just 7mm at the bottom end if I went for the Canon lens. Thus lured by the Sigma, as this fits nicely as a complete lens by its self. Has anyone got any experience of using this lens on a 1.3x crop body?
 
I have the 16-35 and for me its certainly wide enough. ive used the 17-40 also and i don't think the 1mm difference at the wide end makes a difference. Can't speak for the Siggy. With the 24-70 the siggy could be a good combo though
 
Horses for courses I guess - the Sigma isn't as sharp as the 17-40, particularly wide open, but it's much wider, and has far less (read 'hardly any') distortion.

There's always the old issue of getting a sharp copy of the Sigma; that said, good retailers are usually understanding about returns, and failing that, it's got a 4-year Warranty, so you can get it recalibrated at any stage. Yes, it's a bit of a hassle, but it was well worth it in my opinion!
 
I have a Sigma 12-24mm and I'm very happy with it on my 20D, it's my most used zoom.

On my film body I have a Canon 20-35mm USM which gives more or less the same fov on FF as my (full frame) 12-24mm gives on my 20D.

The 20-35mm doesn't have the reputation of the 17-40mm but I have no complaints about mine plus it has USM and it's very light and compact.
 
mstphoto said:
OOOH!! - I never knew that.
12-24 on a full frame, now that sounds interesting.

Thanks adsayer for putting me in my place
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I wasn't (intentionally) putting you in your place dude :D It's crazyily (new word) wide. Fair play to Sigma for pushing the limits - and for that reason I would take the reviews with a pinch of Sodium-Chloride. Those extra 4mm between 16mm (on a typical Nikkor/Canon offering) and 12mm for the Sigma makes for an incredibly large difference in the field of view. not mention the associated difficulties in producing a reliable wide angle at such extremes. Expect a pile of vignetting and softness at the edges wide-open (if you can call it that as it's slow as hell) but at the same time for the unique perspective it gives you can maybe overlook those problems.

I don't actually own one but I got the chance last year with it on a 5D and phrrrwwwaaa it's incredible.

ads
 
To be fair to Sigma the 12-24mm is f4.5-f5.6 which IMVHO isn't a whole lot slower than the Canon 17-40 f4L at the widest end.
 
I use the siggy 12-24mm (on a FF camera), and it's a great lens, sharp & sweet, although I have heard of togs getting below par samples.

Biggest problem with this lens (IMO) is that you can't use filters with it.
 
Thanks for all the input. I was really expecting people to have slated the Siggy, but looks like it hold its head up high and may even have proved some interest with other members of this forum.

I certainly hadn't consider that I could not use filters with this lens, so thanks for that cooment Les McLean!!

Looks like a trip to my local camera shop to try this lens out. That is what really matters.
 
There is a solution to the Siggy, it will only work on the 1D series though and that is to get a Canon 10-22 EFs and remove the rear baffle (not too hard) get an old damaged EF lens and take the baffle from that and fit to the 10-22.

It is only useable on the 1D series from about 11mm, personally I only use it down to the 1 of the 12 which also is the lowest you can go without seeing any vignetting.

The lens in the end becomes a useful 12-22 and the quality seems quite good. Also you can use 77mm filters although you will have to watch out for vignetting.

Lens after adaptation: (baffle from a non-working 75-300 EF)

10-22.jpg


Only image I have taken with it to date!

12mm.jpg
 
I have a Sigma 12-24 which I use on a 5D mkII and it does suffer from a bit of softness at the egdes and you have to be careful to avoid flare but if you want a super wide lens it's good for the price.
 
Thanks Edbray, thats a totally different slant on thing. Lets go see what damaged lens I can find on ebay then
 
gromit13 said:
Looking for guidance or advice on which wide angle lens to purchase for use with my 1D MK III.

Currently looking at Canon 17-40mm F4 L or perhaps Sigma 12-24 f4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical HSM.

Given that I already have the 24-70mm F2.8L, it seems a lot of money to gain just 7mm at the bottom end if I went for the Canon lens. Thus lured by the Sigma, as this fits nicely as a complete lens by its self. Has anyone got any experience of using this lens on a 1.3x crop body?
Click to expand...

It's the only Sigma lens that I have kept. I've used it on a full frame and a 1.3 crop, If you get a good copy it's a cracking lens, and you should have no problems with it.
 
Gerods said:
It's the only Sigma lens that I have kept. I've used it on a full frame and a 1.3 crop, If you get a good copy it's a cracking lens, and you should have no problems with it.
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I have to say, I was gutted after I sold mine, I really regretted it.

The 10-22 EFs looks like it will give me a similar result on 1.3x crop (actual 1.25x) which at 12mm is about 15mm FF AOV equiv.
 
EdBray said:
I have to say, I was gutted after I sold mine, I really regretted it.

The 10-22 EFs looks like it will give me a similar result on 1.3x crop (actual 1.25x) which at 12mm is about 15mm FF AOV equiv.
Click to expand...

I got totally pi**ed of with Sigma. Had four sold three. But I will not sell this one.
 
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