I am currently using EOS D30 and EOS 3 and NEED a good wide angle lens. My 28-105 USM just isn't wide enough for the D30 (because of the smaller CMOS sensor) and I can't afford the 17-35 "L" (which I really want). What are your opinions of the Sigma 15-30mm EX DG Asph lens?... Should i consider using anything besides Canon.

I'm a staff photographer for a local newspaper and shoot everything,...

-- Joe (crazymutt1@yahoo.com), May 28, 2002

Answers

I use this lens on a D-30 and '3'. As you would expect at 15mm on the '3' it does some pretty strange things at the edges, as would any 15mm. I bought it primarily to get a usable wide lens on the D-30 and not for 35mm use.

I have a few examples at: http://casualphotos.vze.com/d30/frank

Dick

-- Richard 'Dick' Tope (RTope@yahoo.com), May 28, 2002.

I know many people on this forum know I have been quite vocal about warning of the risks involved in using Sigma lenses on canon. Just look at Michael Johnsons posting just before yours about his compatibiliy problems with both his Sigmas. If you want to stay in the same price range, and are willing to go a little less wide, the usm 20-35 f3.5-4.5 is a better quality lens. good luck-JC

-- joe cap (joemocap@yahoo.com), May 28, 2002.

No doubt there are any number of documented instances of compatability problems with Sigma lenses on Canon bodies. If Sigma would license the technology from Canon this would be a non-issue but would also drive up the price of the equipment.

I own 2 Sigma lenses, the 15-30 and 170-500, the rest of my glass is all Canon. I've had NO problems with either lens and they've been used on an Elan-IIe, EOS-3 and D-30, - and the 170-500 was on the market before the D-30.

I have these Sigma lenses because Canon doesn't offer anything comparable at an 'affordable' price point, expecially when I don't use my equipment to make a living from and can't recover costs from a customer.

If there is a problem Sigma has reportedly been very good about rechipping their lenses. I have no personal experience with this policy, as I said I've had no compatability problems.

-- Richard 'Dick' Tope (RTope@yahoo.com), May 28, 2002.

For the D30 and D60, you really can use a very, very wide angle lens. I use my 20-35USM on a D60, which results in an equivalent 32MM view (not very exciting). Sure, the 16-35L would be better, but at a much higher cost than the 15-30 Sigma. I may eventually spring for the 16-35L, but I'm just an amateur with a check book, and no other expensive hobbies to feed.

-- kenneth katz (socks@bestweb.net), May 28, 2002.

The 15-30 is reported to be soft at the edges. This certainly isn't an issue with the D30/D60 since it crops the edges of the image circle anyway, but it might effect how you use it with the EOS 3.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), May 28, 2002.

Consider ? Sure. Buying ? Hummmmm.... Maybe. In terms of focal length and price there is no other equivalent lens. So, if you "NEED a good wide angle lens" and "can't afford the 17- 35 "L" then go ahead and buy it. If you are not happy and / or have more money, you can always sell it later. 1. Can you rent one and try ? 2. Can you find a used 17-35 L ?

-- Yakim Peled (yakim.peled@orange.co.il), May 29, 2002.

Joe,

One consideration mentioned in reviews (but not necessarily highlighted) is lack of front filter with the Sigma 15-30mm only gelatin filters. If you tend to use polarisers for landscape shots this could be a consideration.

regards, Derek

-- Derek Linney (dlinney@aol.com), May 30, 2002.