[slip]

DxOMark - Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Canon mount lens review: fixed focal length quality in a zoom?

Thoughts?

Thanks

Randy

[maxfield_photo]

An interesting lens to be sure, but it can't be used on a film body (at least without cropping) so it's of little use to me.

[stevebrot]

Provocative title, decent lens, limited zoom range, fast maximum aperture, not small, great price...


...not available in K-mount...end of discussion.


Steve

[Kobayashi.K]

No thanks. Too big, too heavy, technically too complicated, not made of durable materials.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/86234-15mm-limited-controls-my-mind-club.html

[fizzyvimto]

Provocative title, decent lens, limited zoom range, fast maximum aperture, not small, great price...


...not available in K-mount...end of discussion.


Steve

According to the Sigma website it is available in K Mount:

Sigma Imaging UK | 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | A

It's also available for K Mount on preorder at B and H for example:

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Lens for Pentax210-109 B&H Photo

[Na Horuk]

There are many threads on this lens. There were also many other zooms that claimed the same - to end the need for primes. But it never turned out to be true. If anything, this might stimulate lens makers to raise their primes to another level.
Also, I think zoom lenses will never be able to beat primes. Especially if primes have DoF scales. Maybe more primes will have these now, because as far as I know, zoom lenses cannot do this very well.

...not available in K-mount...end of discussion.

I dont think thats been confirmed. I think Sigma would be smart to put it on Kmount, because Pentax doesnt have zooms in that range (FoV or aperture)

[causey]

810 grams? the end of primes? I think I'll wait for that planned ltd. zoom before settling this question

[edgedemon]

I love the idea of this lens, I have the DA 12-24 which covers some of it, so wouldn't consider this even if it was available, but I love the fact that they have made a 1.8 zoom of this quality.
Im all for top quality glass, we can never get enough of that..

[rbefly]

Hi Randy,
I don't think it's the end of primes, by a long shot. While Sigma is to be commended for making a fast wide angle zoom with very good measurable specs, we're still talking about a huge, heavy chunk of glass here. I did a few comparisons to Pentax DA zooms for an idea of just how hefty this lens is;
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8- 78 x 121mm, 72mm filter, 810 grams (28.6 oz!)
Pentax DA 16-45mm f/4.0- 71 x 91mm, 62mm filter, 366 grams
Pentax DA 16-50mm f/2.8- 84 x 98mm, 77mm filter, 585 grams
The only lens I own (aside from telephoto zooms) that comes close to this weight is the Vivitar Series 1 90mm f/2.5 Macro @ 24 ozs, and I can tell you that carrying that weight around your neck for a few hours isn't much fun.
Also, at $800 per copy, you could probably find a used 21mm Ltd and good 35mm prime for about the same $$, less weight, much smaller size and (at least) as good an I.Q.
So, I'm sure they'll sell quite a few, but not to me!
JMO,
Ron

[normhead]

Best prices for the 21 Ltd, 35 2.4 and 31 Ltd = $1839 Canadian. Price for a zoom that beats them all in IQ , and correction with HSM replacing the screw drive and 1.8, (faster than 2 of the three and equal to the other.) If I was starting from scratch, I'd buy this lens. As it is, if the initial images turn out to be as good as they sound... I may sell the 21 and 35 and buy it anyway. My 8-16 has made me a believer in what Sigma can accomplish.

[VoiceOfReason]

I've given primes a shot, multiple times, but the whole "zoom with your feet" thing doesn't work at all where I generally shoot. Ohh, if I could get a 24 it would likely serve me well, but I have never had any luck obtaining one, and the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 wasn't impressive at all. I do plan on this one once it is in K mount considering the reviews.

[psychdoc]

I am curious.

Although I applaud the technical achievement, I am not sure why you would need f1.8 at these focal lengths outside of environmental portraits? That gets boring pretty quickly. Most wider angle lenses are used in such a way that you need to get everything in the frame sharp.

Also, one reason I did not get the DA 16-50 was the weight, this one is significantly heavier.

So what will people be using the faster aspect advantage of this lens for?

[normhead]

I am curious.

Although I applaud the technical achievement, I am not sure why you would need f1.8 at these focal lengths outside of environmental portraits? That gets boring pretty quickly. Most wider angle lenses are used in such a way that you need to get everything in the frame sharp.

Also, one reason I did not get the DA 16-50 was the weight, this one is significantly heavier.

So what will people be using the faster aspect advantage of this lens for?

I was going to mention that but then forgot..(ain't old age just your golden years?) ... good point. But then you have to ask, why does the 31 got to 1.8, why does the 35 go to 2.4?

[joe.penn]

I am not sure why you would need f1.8 at these focal lengths outside of environmental portraits?

Low light event shooting and also indoor wedding photography would be a great use...

[cali92rs]

So what will people be using the faster aspect advantage of this lens for?

Indoors, where a wide angle is required because you can't back up too far, and you want to keep your ISO low. Think museums, restaurants, bars, parties etc