Originally posted by Digitalis There is only one manufacturer who makes those lenses = Sigma. I went through about 5~6 copies of the sigma 8-16mm until I was sent a copy from sigma japan which was tested by sigma techs, and myself, and is perfectly centered. Though I have to admit that was one of the hardest lenses I have ever tested - 8mm isn't a common focal length, I had to alter the optical projection apparatus on my testing bench to completely fill the fov with the test pattern on that lens.
Yeah, you can build an extreme UWA lens that is potentially decent at an affordable price point, but assembling it is another story. Surprised that the 8-16 is that troublesome given the overall favorable reviews. Many years ago I had the 15-30 for some time, but it wasn't quite as sharp as its reputation (color rendering and size bothered me more), but that was before I was aware of the decentering issues - so never tested it.
Earlier this year I bought a refurbished 12-24 that was wildly off - and Sigma USA took one look at a JPEG I sent them and immediately said "send it in and we'll send you a replacement." The second one is about 95% better for centering when shot wide open, but at least it isn't exhibiting the CA problems inherent in extreme decentering. It is far sharper than the 15-30 with less distortion, vignetting and far less CA. When you read the few reviews and tests regarding that lens you really wonder because the majority of tests say moderate to heavy CA, but some of them say "negligible." In any event, I don't view minor decentering as a huge problem because when you get beyond about 90 degrees FoV anyone who is shooting faster than f/8 (or even f/11 in good light) really is just asking for trouble no matter how good the optics.
Bottom line, I almost certainly will be sticking with my 8mm and 14mm MF lenses from - umm, that Korean manufacturer - that has provided me 3 for 3 superb optics (others have had problems), and will sell the virtually unused Sigma which was purchased extremely cheaply for mercenary purposes in the first place, and will fetch a handsome payment when the FF body finally gets rolling.
---------- Post added 11-21-2015 at 12:03 PM ----------
Originally posted by FantasticMrFox I'm not only of German origin, I'm a 100% born and raised German citizen
But my humour has always been leaning a bit more towards the British ways - watched a lot of Monty Python as a teenager.
How do you take photographs with no arms and no legs, then?
---------- Post added 11-21-2015 at 12:08 PM ----------
Originally posted by Madaboutpix Dang, I did it again.
(We Germans do have a sense of humour; it's just that we don't always suspect it in others.) You must be speaking from experience, then, as someone of German origin?
I'm a Russian-descented Jew, but some of my closest friends are entirely German. They're all good sports even when they have no idea as they prefer
rye bread to my shoddy attempts at
wry humor.