Need a WIDE lens, Sigma a good choice?!?!?!

[j.e.t]

I am in the market for a wide angle lens, preferably zoom to

shoot interiors, landscapes, etc. And just need a wide lens to

supplement my existing equipment. I just purchased the Canon

10D, so unfortunately, don't have another $1500 to spend on a

Canon lens. I was looking at the Sigma 17-35 Ex 2.8/4 AF, but

have been reading mixed reviews about it.

 

Can anyone who owns it or has used it or who knows about it

supply any advice? Or advise on other wide lenses that are of

high quality but not high price? I need to spend less than $500

for this lens, and I saw some good prices on this lens on ebay.

 

Thank you for your help!

[Jerry_]

If you are shooting for 'fun,' the Sigma lens would probably be OK.

 

 

But if you shooting for business income, then $500 (for the Sigma lens) plus $1,500 (for the Canon lens,) to get a quality image -- is kind of where you are heading.

[alaghi]

I hear tamron 19-35 is a good lens, sigma 15mm EX fisheye too. But canon is the better choice.

[richard_oleson]

Do you need a zoom? Can you get a better quality single-length wide angle for less money?

 

:)=

[h._p.]

I've owned a Sigma 17~35 for about a year and it's a good, middle of the road lens. You can safely ignore the comments of people who may never have used the lens as to its suitability for use in a fee earning environment. I could, if I chose, quite happily sell images taken with this lens.<p>

<center>

<img border=2 src="http://www.photo.net/photodb/image-display?photo_id=1578750&size=md"><p>

Sigma 17~35 at about 20mm<p>

</center>

That said, it's not all perfect. Edge distortion at 17mm is fearsome but that won't worry you on a 10D where the edges will be cut off anyway. Apart from that, it's a decent performer and well worth the money.<p>

[klix]

JT - the 10D has an FOV factor of 1.6, so in essence the 17-35mm has an effective focal length of 27-56mm -- still a reasonable WA to normal focal length range, but IMO not wide enough for interiors or landscapes.

[andrei_lau1]

Beware of the compatibility issue if you are building up a lens collection and may in future upgrade your camera body. Sigma seems having problem on every generation of new Canon body. Tamron and Tokina seems better in this regard. Of course, Canon lens will be the best choice. You may also consider to look for used lens such as the 17-35L which price is falling due to the new 16-35L and 17-40L. This is still a great lens if not the best.

[Jochen_S]

Think about a sigma 14mm. I have one but didn't check the quality properly.