Sigma Lens Review News Report News & Deals

Standard test results (ISO 12233 resolution chart/image quality, flare, distortion, vignetting, specs & measurements) have been added to the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Lens review page.
 
The new Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Lens, the "| A" version, is a significant upgrade from the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens, the "EX" version, in terms of build quality. Unfortunately, the image quality has not been so upgraded.

The full Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens Review is now available.

The Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Lens review page now has links to ISO 12233 resolution chart image quality samples, distortion & vignetting test results and measurements.

Lens distortion test results have been added to the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens page.
 
Lens vignetting test results have been added to the following review pages:
 
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens
Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens

Comparing the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens with the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Lens - which to choose:
 
If you need the f/1.4 aperture, for the shallow depth of field or for the faster shutter speeds it makes available (key to stopping action in low light), your decision is made. You need the Sigma 35 f/1.4.
 
If you need Image Stabilization, the Canon 35 f/2 IS is of course the right choice.
 
If f/2 is wide enough for you and you don't need IS, the decision becomes a bit more complicated. Here are some comparisons to help with that decision process.
 
The Sigma of course rules all comparisons at f/1.4 - and turns in remarkable performance at f/1.4 compared to other f/1.4 lenses.
 
The Canon joins the comparison at f/2. At f/2, you can expect the Sigma to be noticeably sharper in the center of the image and the Canon to have a slight sharpness edge closer to the corners - where the Canon shows more vignetting. The sharpness comparison at f/2.8 has these lenses performing more similarly in the center (both excellent). The Sigma retains a slight center advantage and the Canon holds the peripheral edge. Beyond f/2.8, both lenses are razor sharp with the Canon retaining slightly better full frame corner sharpness.
 
The Sigma has about 1/2 as much vignetting at comparable apertures until stopped down to about f/4 where the Canon trails the Sigma by a very small amount through f/16. The Sigma has slightly less flare until the aperture narrows to f/8. The Canon then has noticeably less flare through f/16. Neither lens has significant distortion. These two lenses deliver similar (good) bokeh at comparable apertures.
 
The Canon weighs 1/2 as much, is smaller and focuses closer with a higher MM (0.24x vs. 0.19x). The Canon is modestly less expensive at this time.
 
Here are the full reviews for these lenses:
 
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Lens Review
Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens Review

Just posted: Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Lens Review
 
The best Sigma lens produced to date?

ISO 12233 resolution chart and distortion test results along with lens measurements have been added to the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Lens Review page.
 
From a lab perspective, this looks like a very nice lens. I really like the new Sigma physical design.

Standard camera lens product images (useful for size and feature comparisons) have been added to the following review placeholder pages:
 
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Nikon 28mm f/1.8G AF-S Lens Review
Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S Lens Review
Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Lens Review
Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S VR Lens Review
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens Review
Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Review
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens Review
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens Review
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens Review
Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens Review
Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 25mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review

ISO 12233 resolution chart results have been added to the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Review page.
 
Note that these results are from the Canon EOS 60D. More 60D results are coming.

ISO 12233 resolution chart sample crops along with flare and distortion test results have been added to the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens Review page.

ISO 12233 resolution chart sample crops along with flare and distortion test results are now available on the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens Review page.
 
Why the with-2x Extender results are so much sharper in the corner remains an unanswered question for me. Strange.

ISO 12233 Chart sample crops and flare test results have been added to the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens Review page.

Just posted: Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens Review
 
I had an unusually high number of requests for a review of this lens, so I squeezed this one into the mix of reviews I've been working on.
 
Here are some status updates regarding my currently overloaded to-review list:
 
First, the Canon PowerShot G1 X Digital Camera Review is long overdue. My primary concern for this camera is how its image quality compares with a DSLR such as the also-small Canon EOS Rebel T3i. I've spent a lot of time with the camera and have many tests shot with it. But, I think that even the latest version of DPP (v3.11.27.0) is generating non-sharp results from G1 X RAW files that appear to be quite sharp when the "High speed" (lower quality) preference is selected.
 
Another review I had hoped to bring you by now is the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT Flash Review. The big new feature of this flash is the RF remote capability. It takes two to play this game - and I've had an Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT on order since day one. Where this product is remains a mystery - I might have to buy a second 600EX-RT to move forward with this review.
 
Another MIA product is the Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip. I've also had one of these on order since moments after the announcement was made.
 
If my Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens and Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens ship any day as expected, these lenses will become my top review priority.
 
Update: Just received a ship notice for my Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT and Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip.

ISO 12233 Resolution Chart results have been added to the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens Review page.

Flare, distortion and vignetting test results have been added to the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens Review page.

By popular request, ISO 12233 Resolution Chart samples crops have been added to the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens Review page.
 
Driving the popular request is the huge $200.00 instant rebate currently available for the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens. Get your 100 OS at B&H, Adorama or Amazon.com.
 
Note that the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens is compatible with extenders.
 
On a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, the lens plus Sigma 1.4x EX DG Tele Converter autofocuses. The lens plus Sigma 2x EX DG Tele Converter does not autofocus on the 1Ds III.

I have added comparisons to the following review pages:
 
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review - Added a focal length comparison
 
Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD IF Macro Lens Review - Added a 180mm aperture comparison
 
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS Lens Review - Added a 17mm aperture comparison

A handful of sample pictures have been added to the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS Lens Review.

Just posted: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS Lens Review

Sample pictures have been added to the following reviews:
 
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Review

Just posted: Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Review

Sample pictures have been added to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review. Many of the sample pictures have photography tips included with them - hopefully you will pick up something useful and/or be inspired.

Just posted: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review
 
I hope to have Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens sample pictures available tomorrow.

An outdoor image quality comparison between four 85mm lenses has been added to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review page.
 
Many product images have also been added to this page. I hope to get the full review completed in the near future.

Sample pictures have been added to the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens Review.