Review: The SIGMA 20mmf1.8 EX DG, a lens I loved

[marcwang]

Just a short tribute to the lens that I love so dearly, despite being a non-nikkor, its performance deserves a close look by many who wants a wide angle, but cannot afford the Nikkor 12-24mm or Sigma 12-24mm.

What I liked
- Its decently priced
- Very sharp lens from f4 up, and by f10, its razor
- decent at f1.8, no vignetting on a APS size dslr.
- Not too heavy, especially for a f1.8
- Very very fast aperture
- Close focusing (20cm !), interesting shots can be captured. Very important for a wide angle to focus close, since the objects seem so far away.
- warm colours
- nice bokeh
- Nice focus ring

What can be better
- Sigma EX lenses have this rubber finish that just dont withstand any abuse
- Flare is a problem
- 82mm filter size
- focusing is noisy and slow ( although not an issue with Wide angles)

Let the pictures speak for themselves.

I like the colours, and the sharpness is incredible. Shot @ f10

Low light is its forte @f2.8 1/20s

Close focusing (just 3 cm from front element) and the bokeh is good. @f2.2

Again... close focusing and bokeh @f2 1/15s

I'm in love with this lens, completely. If u intend to purchase a 19-35 from Tamron or whatever, simply give it a miss. If u want a Nikkor 20mm or 18-35, think really hard.

Just a tribute to this lens. A wonderful tool for street, low light and landscape photography.

 

[XXX Boy]

Just a tribute to this lens. A wonderful tool for street, low light and landscape photography.

For street photography, I would prefer a 50mm lens. 20mm is too wide for street photography.

 

[Clown]

Close focusing (just 3 cm from front element) and the bokeh is good. @f2.2

using any attachments? min distance 20cm leh..

 

[imaginary_number]

For street photography, I would prefer a 50mm lens. 20mm is too wide for street photography.

Well, that depends. For a DSLR (1.6x), a 20mm is sometimes more preferable.

 

[marcwang]

using any attachments? min distance 20cm leh..

Nope. STandard. No switches to irritate u

 

[2100]

Bro, how much is this?

 

[ndroo]

Bro, how much is this?

MS color quoted about $600. Uses 82mm filters though. I just bought a used one from a CSer. Waiting to test it out this weekend.

 

[rainman]

CP e-quoted me 570 before gst...

 

[behyx]

bro i don't get it..

"Close focusing (just 3 cm from front element) and the bokeh is good. @f2.2"

but how did u do that since u say the minimum focusing dist is 20cm? :thinking:

 

[Jayson]

Guys when they quote close focusing of 20 cm, it's a measurement from the flim plane (Ie almost the back of the camera). However 20cm - thickness of camera and the length of the lense gives you about 3cm from the front element

hope this helps

 

[deadpixel]

bro i don't get it..

"Close focusing (just 3 cm from front element) and the bokeh is good. @f2.2"

but how did u do that since u say the minimum focusing dist is 20cm? :thinking:

It's quite possible.

The min focusing dist of 20cm refers to the subject to the focusing plane which is about 1/2 inch behind the lens. So, if you add 1.2 inch (3cm) to the length of the lens of 3.4 inches and the the 1/2 inch to the focusing plane and the fact that his point of focus is a few inches (maybe about 3) behind the closest point , you'll come close to the 20 cm (7.9 inches) min focusing dist.

I forgot to mention that I've got this lens too and really love it. Very, very, very low distortion and fantastic for doing some really fun closeup portraits.

 

[Denosha]

I also have this lens and I love it to death too :thumbsup: :thumbsup: