Sigma 14mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical (HSM)

Review Date
June 4, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by
dennisvillegas , Intermediate

Price Paid
$9.00 at B&H

Photography Experience
6-10 years , Other

Summary
I found this lens to be superior in sharpness, colors, and contrast. It's really wideeeeee!!! AF is very fast, build quality is outstanding. The focusing distance is about as near as you can get. I still believe this is one of Sigma's success stories. It is very cheap in price compared to the competition Nikon and Canon both ofwhich costs a fortune and doesn't deliver better images.
I don't have any problems at all with the Sigma 14. It is almost my walk-around lens. Highly recommended

Strengths
HSM, Build, Close Focus, Fast AF, Colors, Contrast

Weaknesses
None at all

Similar Products Used
Canon 14 2.8L

Review Date
May 6, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Reviewed by
jim , Intermediate

Price Paid
$0.00 at used

Photography Experience
6-10 years , Outdoor

Summary
First off I have to say in light of the previous review, and everything I've heard about Sigma QC, I really took a chance buying this lens used for over there years, and sight unseen. HOWEVER:

This example really is a great fit for my canon XTi. The crop sensor eliminates some of the wide range but also eliminates the soft edges that will show up if you use this lens on a full-frame. But my copy is sharp, focuses silently, rapidly and with conviction. It's ok at 2.8 but it really is sharp at 4.0 and up. I pick up some shadowing from the flash so you have to be cognizant of that when composing your shot: expect to crop it out. It also picks up some flare but really, with almost any super-wide, you're going to have to be aware of this also. Finally, it is large, the front element is huge and it's built like a tank...but everyone has to decide for themselves what this means to them. Personally I place the build quality over the concern of weight/size. I have tried the Canon 10-22mm and I don't think it's worth the extra expense on my budget.

I also have a sigma zoom, not an EX lens, which also shoots fine and very well for the money. So again, I have no experience with Sigma's bad examples, I don't doubt they're out there, but this is probably true with every manufacturer.

Strengths
Sharpness, aperture, focus, build quality

Weaknesses
weight? Size? You decide.
Soft edges on a full-frame camera.
alleged Sigma QC issues when buying used

Similar Products Used
canon 10-22mm

Customer Service
NA

Review Date
September 8, 2006

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
xml5000 , Expert

Price Paid
$370.00

Photography Experience
11-20 years , Fine Art

Summary
Have now tried 3 of these lenses from different sources, new & secondhand and have all to be unusably soft, even when stopped way down. Possibly I was unlucky with selections, maybe it's a Sigma QQ issue? Not going to try a fourth with save up for the Canon 16-35mm F2.8 which will hopefully change my luck on wideangle lens shooting.

Strengths
Build

Weaknesses
Poor rendition of images

Review Date
August 19, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
Christiano , Professional

Price Paid
$900.00 at ca

Photography Experience
11-20 years , People

Summary
Absolutely stunning pics ;i debated long what lens i should buy for my old Canon 10D i daily use for PJ work at a local newspaper; i tested the canon 16-35 ,17-40(good too)and sigma 17-35 i compared this w the Canon L glass(the 14 mm 2,8 L extreemely expensive!!) and i actually think that the Sigma is a little sharper!
I even took some photos direct into the sun! almost no flare!!teh coatings is super !Wow maan ! This time i think Sigma has overdone themselves;close to my favorites super lenses as the famed
Canon 135 f 2,0 L,70-200 is,24 2,8 L...200 f 1,8 L and others in the the high end class! Sigma 14 mm is among the pro class and belong to them.
I took some pics on iso 800 and iso 100 w and w out flash and the result was the best for long time i have ever seen from a wide angle,i dont look closer for any thing else-its a keeper!

Strengths
fast fast fast..and SHARP SHARP SHARP..and barely better than good..its the best sigma together w the Sigma 100-300 f4 and 300 mm f2,8 ! its super class
and built extremely good

Weaknesses
none-..hmm the only thing is..its a little akward to use gelatin filter..grrrr...

Similar Products Used
many from canon and sigma..(see the review please..)

Customer Service
no

Review Date
March 3, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
CliffordS , Professional

Price Paid
$800.00 at B&H

Photography Experience
21+ years , People

Summary
I tested this lens against a Nikkor 14mm and decided to pocket the 500.00 difference.
I use this lens with a Kodak 14n with wonderful results. Sharp, good color and contrast.
Very well constructed.
Well worth considering.
I enjoy the artistic challange of this lens.

Strengths
Sharp, good contrast, unique angle of view. Artistic challange.

Weaknesses
Darken corners. Probably a characteristic of the angle of view. Correctable in Photoshop but most of the time I leave it. It reminds me of my darkroom days when I would burn-in (darken) the corners.

Similar Products Used
Nikkor 14mm