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Ben D. Mor
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p.1 #1 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


When I got a cheap used copy of the Sigma 20/1.8, I didn't expect much. But on a recent trip to Berlin, it surprised me with its quick low-light focus (on the 5D) and ability to capture city night scenes. Here are four samples:

Hotel lobby, near Alexander Pl.:


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Alley off Kant Str. Hand-held, from the balcony of my hotel room:


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Same scene, with passing train:


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Old town square in Altenburg:


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Cheers,
Ben
www.pbase.com/bdmor

Oct 11, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Nordlys
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p.1 #2 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


Great to see some sample photos from this combination, I'm considering the same. How're you finding the distortion at the edges on your 5D?

Oct 11, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Ben D. Mor
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p.1 #3 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


Nordlys, there is very little distortion overall and even the edges are quite good. Sharpness in the corners is better than what I've seen with my 16-35L II (since sold). The only thing I don't care for is the bokeh wide open, even though very close focusing is possible.
Thanks for looking, Ben

Oct 11, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Nordlys
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p.1 #4 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


Wow! Sounds excellent, thanks so much for sharing again!
Sounds like I'll really have to consider this!

Oct 11, 2008 at 06:53 PM
simon_says
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p.1 #5 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


I had this lens once, but only used it on 1.6X bodies. Always wondered how it would perform on full frame. In particular I loved it's close focusing ability - it allowed for some really interesting perspective shots. And on full frame I'd imagine ithe effects would be even more dramatic.

Oct 11, 2008 at 07:06 PM
ICQ
me-109
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p.1 #6 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


I love close focus distance, full aperture and wide focal lenght. IMO one of the best Sigma lens.



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Edited on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:20 PM · View previous versions


Oct 11, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #7 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


It's a very nice lens for it's price.



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Oct 11, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Ben D. Mor
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p.1 #8 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


Me-109 and Lars,VERY nice pics, thanks for sharing.
The lens also produces good colors. This one was taken wide open:







The bokeh, though, is not as smooth as the one Me-109 managed to get.
Ben

Oct 12, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Makten
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p.1 #9 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


Ben D. Mor wrote:
Nordlys, there is very little distortion overall and even the edges are quite good.


Funny, mine gives alot of distortion, and it is impossible to correct due to its wave shape.

Oct 12, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Hey.Underpants
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p.1 #10 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


Very nice, I was looking at picking up this lens, and now I think I will next time I see one hit the used market. Thanks.

Oct 12, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Jman13
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p.1 #11 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


Looks to be a nice lens for FF. As Ben mentioned, though, the bokeh definitely leaves something to be desired. That's sort of an anomaly, though, as I've found most of Sigma's lenses to have very nice bokeh (my 30 f/1.4 and 150 f/2.8 macro both have outstanding bokeh).

Oct 12, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Ben D. Mor
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p.1 #12 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


Makten, some distortion is optically inevitable with wideangle lenses, but in comparative terms the 20/1.8 is quite good. None of the pics I posted was cropped, so you can judge for yourself (in fact, the first pic of the hotel lobby shows some distortion, especially on the left side).

Oct 12, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Ben D. Mor
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p.1 #13 · Sigma 20 f1.8--not that bad...


Oh, and what inspired me in the first place to seek this lens is the following gallery by Jonathan Pui (though not on FF):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanpui/tags/sigma20mmf18/

Now it just remains for me to be half as good a photographer

Oct 12, 2008 at 01:24 PM

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