[tzrenz0]

Good--because I'm broker than I was when I pre-ordered. I got the standard "Backorder Status" email from B&H a couple of days ago.

haha.

I don't have a lot of wides so I am really longing for this one. Or should I buy a 15 while waiting?

[VoiceOfReason]

If you want REALLY wide the 8-16 will get the job done. It's fun too!

[Digitalis]

If you want REALLY wide the 8-16 will get the job done. It's fun too!

It certainly is fun, but the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 ASPH isn't the brightest bulb* in the chandelier - there isn't really any other option other than the sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 especially if you want an 18mm f/1.8 lens.

*speaking of bulbs - the inability of this lens to use filters is also a bit of a turn off.

[Edgar_in_Indy]

*speaking of bulbs - the inability of this lens to use filters is also a bit of a turn off.

I've never used a filter. Am I missing out on something?

[StigVidar]

I've never used a filter. Am I missing out on something?

No. But some do like to use a graduated ND filter on lenses like this. But there are more than one road to Rome......

[Barry Pearson]

I've never used a filter. Am I missing out on something?

One filter that I hate to be without for any lens is a polarising filter; (for dSLR, that means circular polarising filter). It can't be simulated in Photoshop.

But - it can be tricky with very wide-angle lenses, because the polarisation of the light varies so much over the field of view. I can understand why someone would not think it worth it.

[wed7]

Can't we use square filters on 8-16mm instead?

[Digitalis]

Can't we use square filters on 8-16mm instead?

Yes - but they need to be BIG filters, and they need a specialized filter holder to deal with the built-in lens hood.The sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 shouldn't have any issue with regular or square filter systems.

[VoiceOfReason]

The Tamron 10-24 and Sigma 10-20 should take filters.

[tzrenz0]

Got a call this morning from DigiDirect, I got excited, thought they're going to ship today, it will be here in 1 and half month from now. Mehhhh. Thought it was a good news turned out it was just a "hang in there" kind of call. I hope it gets to me before I go on a holiday. Crossing my fingers.

[Sandy Hancock]

I rang C.R. Kennedy a couple of days ago to enquire about availability of the K-mount version in Australia. I was told not to expect it before December.

[Digitalis]

Having handled a copy of this lens, which was owned by a student of mine I can say I'm impressed with the build quality of this lens, however this lens is twice the size of the FA31mm f/1.8 - which is one of the larger sub 50mm lenses pentax has ever made.

Since I don't own a current APS-C format Canon camera my impressions are on the 7D my student was using: The lens is certainly heavy, it balances rather well on a Canon DSLR - Pentax cameras tend to be a bit smaller in certain places and I can sense this may be a bit problematic with current pentax ergonomics. Focusing on this lens can be difficult* for a camera to nail (even for a 7D) due to the limited depth of field. I had to assist my student in calibrating the AF properly (slight front focus issue) and I also suspect that this lens has a bit of residual focus shift as it is stopped down. Sadly, I didn't get a chance to do my usual dedicated tests for optical characteristics on my optics testing bench ( I would have loved the opportunity to do so though).


*let me clarify - In my mind there are two aspects to accurate AF - repeatability and accuracy, the AF repeatability was a bit of an issue. The 7D was able to lock focus, even when I turned the modelling lights down. However there were sometimes marked differences in exactly where the plane of focus was when compared to the preceding image, even though the same point of focus was used on a static subject. Canon cameras do have greater accuracy with lenses with apertures greater than f/2.8 - but as always repeatability is going to be an issue.

[Edgar_in_Indy]

*let me clarify - In my mind there are two aspects to accurate AF - repeatability and accuracy, the AF repeatability was a bit of an issue. The 7D was able to lock focus, even when I turned the modelling lights down. However there were sometimes marked differences in exactly where the plane of focus was when compared to the preceding image, even though the same point of focus was used on a static subject.

Interesting observation, as I don't recall reading a review where they complained about focus accuracy (not that I've read them all), but I seem to remember reading at least a few where they praised the lens for its accuracy and consistency. Too bad you weren't able to spend more time with it, especially in the field.

[K6-III]

At least with Canon and Nikon versions of the lens the USB dock is available to tweak front/back focus at various focal lengths. Who knows when the Pentax version of the Sigma dock might even ship?

[rawr]

this lens is twice the size of the FA31mm f/1.8

Indeed, it's a big mofo of a lens.

These photos are from the DCWatch photo review of the lens on a Sigma body: