has anyone used both of these that can give a fair comparison? i am considering selling my 17-35L and buying the sigma, but don't know how it stands up to the canon. I have a slew of L's, but just need to know
Never used the Canon, but just looking at my Sigma shots last night it's a darn good lens and sharp from f/2.2. Tinke has jjst bought one and is raving about it. Underated lens. I can post some pics tonight. Looks to have well controlled distortion too. Colours not quite L grade, but simply fixed in RAW.
If youre using a crop, these lenses will likely be close. If you are using FF, the Canon 24/1.4 L will be a slam dunk winner.
The Sigma wide angle primes, in general compared to their "L" counterparts:
- Vignette more, especially on a FF
- Greater CA, especially near corners
- Are softer wide open (though good stopped down)
- Have generally more crude AF
Though I have not use the 24/1.8 Sigma, I have used the 20/1.8 Sigma and had mixed feelings. First of all, understand that the primary purpose of these lenses is subject isolation at large apertures. Do not expect high image quality near the corners unless you stop way down. Secondly, forget shooting action with these lenses, as autofocus performance (especially on 10 and 5 series bodies) is both slow and inconsistent.
Now, what these lenses ARE good for is for shooting still or cooperative subjects in an artistic manner. You have to be careful and deliberate with your AF technique, and you have to be able to live with less than optical perfection. There will be CA and there will be lots of vignetting. But hey, CA is fixable and vignetting can look kinda cool.
Now, with that said, if the performance limitations of the fast sigma wide angles dont bother you, then go for it. If you need higher performance then the Canon L is the clear choice.
yes, the point i want to make is that the AF
is great within 3 feet and anything outside of 6 feet , everything
go haywire.....i think its Canon's AF to blame
since most Nikon users do not complain about Sigma AF issues
Perhaps Canon did improve the AF in the 40D ( the camera you used )
How old is your sigma 24mm ?
Perhaps Sigma did make some improvement too....
I had tried 3 copies and it hopelessly AF the wrong place.
I am now on the 24L but hope to get a sigma if only I can get the AF working properly
