Anyone shooting with a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8?

Hi all,

Was in local camera store the other day getting prints done and this was unveiled to me. Hadn't even heard of it before. As I had shown an interest in it, the store had given me a lend of it for a couple of days to try it out.

It'd been pretty poor when it comes to accurate focusing. At 35mm I found it pretty solid, but at 18mm, the same subjects would be out of focus 2 out of 3 times.

So I said this to them and they gave me lend of a USB dock that can be used to calibrate the lens, and they also gave me a different copy of the lens.

The different copy seems to have a certain distance from a subject wherein it will outright refuse to focus, but otherwise seems fine. The USB dock may well fix this, so I'm seriously considering picking this up (and getting rid of the 30mm 1.4 in the process, as I'd rather the zoom 1.8).


I shoot with Canon gear. I was wondering if anyone else has been using this lens and has had any focus issues at all (or any other issues?).

The shop (Maher's, in Drogheda, for anyone who cares) have been exceptionally good in letting me have such a long time to try it out, and have not once given me a hard sell, so I'm not feeling rushed or panicked into buying (though i intend to decide tomorrow what to do). But i wouldnt mind hearing other people's real-world opinions (if there are any)?


Cheers

dirtyghettokid

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057049293

Effects

Have you tried the USB dock yet? I wouldn't buy that lens based on your review of it's focusing. I also wouldn't want to have to buy an extra add on just so I could get my lens to work as it should. That said, I do understand some lenses need micro calibration.

MarkN

hi KKV - been using this lens since August and find it super sharp. Images here taken with it.

I went for a 6D during the week so I've the lens for sale, PM if interested, no hassle if not. I miss being able to use it TBH

Mark, I've actually already picked it up. Sorry.

I have the USB dock. It came free with the lens when I bought it, so that's a nice little bonus for me, I suppose.

Haven't really had a chance to use the lens in 'real life' yet. Mostly shooting things with the sole intention of checking them afterwards.

I'll be out tonight with the camera and I'll get a bit of a chance to do a few people photos and group shots so will hopefully get a better idea of how it's working then for real world usage.


Maher's (Shop i bought it) said they're gonna send the other one to Hahnel in Cork for recalibration. If it comes back better then I can swap over to that, and if it comes back bad again, then they'll give me store credit for my own lens (which is beneficial as i was initially asking about a different lens in the first place).

So fingers are crossed, but I suppose I'll know by next week whether or not it's worth holding onto. Fingers are crossed anyway.


Mark, you reckon your lens is fine, but I notice you're doing mostly landscapes (judging by your above photographs) - Have you used it for much else at all?


I read the other thread and I see the issue is not an isolated one.

MarkN

Nice that you got the dock thrown in

A few more...

Great shots, Mark!

Can I ask you a favour, though? Can you take a shot of something across the road and tell me how you get on? (20+ feet away).

I got a go of the lens last night (doing 'social' photography - pubs, group shots, etc.) and I took about 4-5 shots of the same people over and over so that if the lens was messing up, i'd hopefully have at least one good shot of each. Surprisingly, the lens was spot on for every single photo I took with the exception of two sets of photos that were taken in a different venue (so im gonna blame the venue for that one, somehow).

So it seems (to me, anyway) that within close range the lens is fine. Anything over 12-15 feet seems to fall into a different area where the lens cant quite grasp what it's focusing on. I hope the USB dock can correct this though, if I adjust the 'infinity' focus point.

Zascar

Looking to buy a Sigma 18-35mm f1.8. Anyone selling? Please pm me

killym

Best lense ive ever use. It can give You some problems on af depending which system are You using.

Zascar

I went full frame in the end and this lens does not work on full frame are there any similar alternatives that work on full frame?

killym

yeah man especially for guys like You sigma made this lens:


24-35 f2