[JHfwp]

I haven't read much about the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG RF. Does anyone here have any experience with it?

I'm wondering how it compares to the FA 20, DA 21, and, just for my own reference, the non-HSM Sigma 10-20 (which I would like to upgrade from). Is there another 20mm prime I should consider?

---

Last edited by JHfwp; 09-23-2014 at 06:22 PM.

[VisualDarkness]

I've been using my 20/1.8 quite a lot and taken some of my favorites with it. But don't expect any miracles with such a cheap and extreme lens. F1.8-2.2 is best for close focus if you value sharpness as it's not really sharp at infinity at the largest apertures. The close focusing ability with the large aperture and quite wide angle makes it fun to use as the out of focus looks really good. Learn it's tendencies and it will deliver and I've used it for official sports pics, events and fun experimental stuff.

All in all it's not a perfect lens as one would expect for the price but it's a fun lens that can do extreme stuff.

Some shots with it: https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=69742074@N02&q=sigma%2020mm

[JHfwp]

I've been using my 20/1.8 quite a lot and taken some of my favorites with it. But don't expect any miracles with such a cheap and extreme lens. F1.8-2.2 is best for close focus if you value sharpness as it's not really sharp at infinity at the largest apertures. The close focusing ability with the large aperture and quite wide angle makes it fun to use as the out of focus looks really good. Learn it's tendencies and it will deliver and I've used it for official sports pics, events and fun experimental stuff.

All in all it's not a perfect lens as one would expect for the price but it's a fun lens that can do extreme stuff.

Some shots with it: https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=69742074@N02&q=sigma%2020mm

I was thinking of it with landscapes in mind--so your warning about its sharpness at infinity is appreciated--but after looking at your shots I might find other uses for it.

Thanks for your response, that was quite helpful.

Edit: Now I reread your post. "At the largest apertures," you said. So I imagine it is good stopped down then.

[Kozlok]

If you are after a landscape lens, I'd wager the DA21Limited is a much better choice, and much less of a boat anchor.

[VisualDarkness]

If you are after a landscape lens, I'd wager the DA21Limited is a much better choice, and much less of a boat anchor.

Well, stopped down to about F8-F11 where you mostly end up doing landscapes I doubt that there is that much difference in pure sharpness, as the 21/3.2 isn't a MTF monster either, and tests when searching online seems to confirm this.

If you want build and portability just for landscapes and well lit walkaround the 21mm would be the logical choice yes, but if size isn't a limiting factor and you want large aperture and close focusing the 20mm will be fine.

[zosxavius]

If you are looking at a lens for landscape purposes then resolution should really only be one consideration. Microcontrast and rendering should be deciding factors as well and that said, I know what lens I would go with.

edit: I didn't realize that a bunch of manufacturers are now also making 21mm lenses. I thought 20mm was far more common. So I guess the 21ltd isn't the only kid on the block in that focal length. It does produce some really lovely pictures stopped down a bit.

[JHfwp]

The DA 21 looks very good on paper, and the samples I've seen from the Sigma look good too, but I came across what looks like an absolutely exceptional FA 20 at a fair price shortly after my original post... and you might say lensanity hit me pretty hard.

I've got its cousin, the FA 28, that I'm very happy with for landscapes; hopefully I'll be just as happy with it.

Thanks for all of your input. If things don't work out I know what to do next.

[zapp]

I haven't read much about the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG RF. Does anyone here have any experience with it?

I'm wondering how it compares to the FA 20, DA 21, and, just for my own reference, the non-HSM Sigma 10-20 (which I would like to upgrade from). Is there another 20mm prime I should consider?

The Sigma is a piece of junk, I played with 20, 24 and 28 all 1.8. Colour abberations, lack of sharpness... - but what to expect from a 1.8 lens at the given price with an extreme angle of view. It is also quite large and heavy compared to other lenses. 2.8 or 3.2 is still a good aperture on a 20ish lens.

[VisualDarkness]

You can say a lot about the lens but this is the first time I've heard CA as a minus. As almost all fast lenses it got some purple fringing in high contrast scenes and some longitudinal CA but that is not a problem field with this lens.