Sigma EX Aspherical DG DF 15 mm-30 mm F/3.5-4.5 Lens

I purchased the Sigma 15-30 zoom specifically for use on a digital SLR, so most of my photos will be taken in the sweet-spot in the center of the image. I prefer zooms on digital SLRs because changing lenses creates a dust problem with them, so the less you have to change them the less often you have to clean. The sensors are remarkably easy to damage, so any cleaning is a risk.

I have tested it with both Digital and Still cameras and the results are really quite good; even in the corners of full frame 35mm film. Yes, there is some barrel distortion at 15mm, especially with full frame 35mm photos, but it is quite acceptable. Now that Adobe Photoshop allows distortion correction it is very easy to correct. The effect is less noticable on my 1.5:1 digital, and for most uses isn't noticable. Sharpness and color correction are alot better than I expected. I'm not talking about perspective distortion - that just goes with the territory very wide angle lenses. I have been a professional photographer for a lot of years and I am very satisfied with the images. I've gotten worse from non-zoom lenses in the 15-21mm range; and paid a lot more for them. It isn't up to the quality of my fixed focus 15mm Nikkor, but very few ultra-wide lenses are. It will produce a professional quality image, with a lot more versatility than a fixed focal length lens, and that's what counts. I haven't carried the 15 Nikkor for a while unless I'm specifically shooting architecture on film, not digital.

Mechanically the lens is smooth in operation with good feedback and no slop in the zoom or focus. It is also remarkably light weight but seems very durable. All-in-all a remarkable piece of optics for the money.

I wanted a good wide-angle lens for my D200 DSLR. In film, my favorite lens was a 19-35, but that didn't cut the mustard for my wide-angle needs. And a 12-24mm lens was a bit out of my price range. So, I took a leap of faith with this in-between, and I'm quite glad I did.

The focal range is quite good, and it's extremely sharp, too. It doesn't have a built-in motor, but focusing is still fast and sharp. I've used it on both action photography and a bit of studio and landscape, and I'm impressed with it — especially for its price.

Sigma has done a great job with some of its newest lenses. I own a few now, and for the money, they can't be beat. This is a prime example of one of its better releases.

This review is based on sample of one in late 2010. I have been an avid photographer on film and digital, but not a pixel peeper; for the amount paid, this lens is more than I expected.

Good: super-wide FX on Nikon D700. Great details on center and some corners. Color rendition is fine.

Bad: Not able to get sharp results on one corner at infinity focus, doesn't matter what the setting is.

Sigma quality control issues are well known, lens possibly de-centered. I decided to keep this purchase for interior and architecture shots where close in and medium distance renditions are important. There are not too many economical alternatives any way.

You cannot beat the price for such a fantastic super-wide angle lense. Very little distortion for a 15 mm and wonderful sharpness. Don't buy the nikon lense, save money, buy high end sigma!