I'm a nut for wide-angle photography. I don't mean to get technical, but for those who do not know the sticky details, modern Digital SLRs often have sensors that are quite a bit smaller than the traditional exposure area of film: 24mmx36mm. In the case of Nikon DSLRs (all current models except their $5000
Nikon D3 12.1MP FX Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
professional FX sensor model) use what they call a DX sensor which is 16mmx24mm.
For us old film hounds, this means that a lens of a given focal length will roughly translate to 1.5x when switching from film (of Full frame) to DX. So, your old 20mm wide angle lens will "crop" to about the equivalent of a 35mm lens when put on a DX sensor DSLR.
For those who really like telephoto shots, this is a positive boon. Your 300mm lens will take pictures that have the same angle of view as a 450mm lens, but for those of us wide-angle freaks, this "digital crop factor" takes some of the "punch" out of the bottom end. Many general-use zooms for the DX sensor cameras start around 18mm. This would be ultra-wide on that old film camera, but it takes pictured that look more like what you'd expect from a 28mm lens on a traditional film camera.
Ok, sorry for all the mumbo jumbo, but now on to why this lens is so great...
With its 10mm-20mm focal length, this lens is the 35mm film SLR equivalent of a 15mm to 35mm zoom lens, and 15mm full-frame is about the widest you can go before getting into "fish-eye" territory.
With this Sigma lens at 10mm, you get a very wide angle perspective without crossing over into fish-eye territory. Yes, there is noticeable "barreling", but nothing beyond the range of most modern photo/image editing software's ability to fix. Frankly, I like a little of that in my ultra-wide photos. At the 20mm end, the "barreling" is much less noticeable.
As will all extreme wide angle lenses, if you get right on top of your subject, you'll really amplify the distortion effect, but if you're shooting at 10mm and focusing down to the lenses minimum focus distance (an amazing 10" or so), you're probably already expecting, and even counting on such distortion anyway.
Did I mention that it focuses down to around 10"?
The construction of this lens is solid, and it has a little heft to it. It comes with its own custom lens hood. USE IT. The front element on this lens bulges out a bit (as you can see from the product photos), and aside from helping with lens flare, that extra bit of "guard rail" will help you avoid scratching the thing. I've put a UV filter on the front to help protect the glass, but the distance between that glass and the front lens element makes this "reflection box" that has visibly shown in some of my highly backlit/highly contrasty photos.
The focusing is fast and silent. I really like the fact that this is one of those "internally focusing" lenses which means that the act of focusing does not turn the manual focus rung, and doesn't make the lens change position or size. More importantly, if you want to manually focus, you can just grab the ring and turn because it's not "locked" into place in AF mode like many other lenses.
I've taken some of my best photos with this lens, and for the wide-angle enthusiast with a DX sensor Nikon DSLR, I'd go so far as to say this is a must-have. It's got 2mm wider focal length than the nearest Nikon (with DOES make a visible difference at the low-end), but its incredibly well made and clear from edge to edge (though, it does have that "barrel" distortion... it's still crisp from end to end with little to no vignetting)
Sorry, I probably went on a bit, but as you can tell, I really like this lens. I'd highly recommend that you do your research before you buy it as ultra-wide angles do have some idiosyncrasies, but if you know what to expect (photographically) from them, then this lens is one of the best I've ever played with/owned.
There is a newer model of this item:
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD Aspherical Super Wide Angle Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
$649.99
(2,233)
Only 3 left in stock - order soon.
$649.99
(2,233)
Only 3 left in stock - order soon.
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This Item  Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $157.99 | $460.49 | $599.95 | $299.00 | $229.99 | $649.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Monday, May 20 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15 | Get it May 20 - 22 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 19 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 20 | — |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Auto focus | ||||||
| For landscape photography | ||||||
| Picture quality | ||||||
| Sold By | M&K Camera | 6ave | Willoughby's Established 1898 | Amazon.com | 6ave | Ace Photo |
| lens type | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | Standard | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | Wide Angle |
| compatible mountings | Canon EF-S | Sony | Canon EF | Canon EF-S | Canon EF-S | Canon EF |
| lens design | Zoom | Prime | Prime | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
| focus type | Ring-type ultrasonic | Auto Focus | Ring-type ultrasonic | Stepper motor | automatic | Ring-type ultrasonic |
| minimum focal length | 10 millimeters | 30 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 10 millimeters | 10 millimeters | 10 millimeters |
| max focal length | 20 millimeters | 30 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 18 millimeters | 18 millimeters | 20 millimeters |
| fixed focal length | 20 millimeters | 30 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 18 millimeters | 18 millimeters | 20 millimeters |
| model name | 201101 | ex dc lens | 310101 | 9519B002-IV | 9519B002 | 202101 |
From the manufacturer
10-20 mm F4-5.6 EX DC (HSM)*
Inspiring Wide-Angle
It’s important to have a high quality ultra-wide angle zoom in a lens kit. Sigma''s 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC ultra-wide zoom lens for digital SLR cameras is ideal for landscape photography, building interiors, group and party pictures and so much more. Great for working with close foreground subjects as this lens features a minimum focusing distance of 9.4-inch at all focal lengths ensuring great creative potential. The wide angle view of up to 102º also offers greater freedom of expression.
Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 83.5 x 81 millimeter / 3.3 x 3.2 inches
Weight: 465 grams / 16.4 ounce
About Sigma
Since 1961, and with the recent introduction of Sigma Global Vision, we have worked toward one single, simple goal: To hold ourselves to the highest standard of design & manufacturing of imaging products. Photography is all we do. And it’s all we’ve done. So you can rest assured that it’s something we know extensively and care deeply about. You have a vision. We’ve made it our mission.
- Ultra wide angle with view of up to 102 degrees
- Internal focusing system technology
- *HSM is not available for Sony and Pentax
- Carrying case, hood, front & rear caps
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Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX Lens: Recommended by dpreview.com
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Reviews with images
98 percent New
This product is pretty much brand new. The autofocus works perfectly especially with canon’s digic x processor. Only one little mark that you have to search really hard for. Still silent as usual with sigma’s focusing along with a smooth manual focus ring. The zoom works perfectly as well. No issues
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Top reviews from other countries
らいおんうっず
レンズにゴミが入って使い物にならない
Reviewed in Japan on November 25, 2020Style: Sony and Minolta SLR CameraVerified Purchase
gm
ottimo obiettivo attacco pentax. effetto fish eye minimo
Reviewed in Italy on December 1, 2015Style: Pentax and Samsung SLR CameraVerified Purchase
Vivek
image quality is excellent.
Reviewed in India on July 21, 2015Style: Canon SLR CameraVerified Purchase
