Chris - don't give me more options, SWMBO may be watching! :shhh:

A 2.8 does sound mighty tempting though - what did you sell it for, out of interest?

Steve

Chris - don't give me more options, SWMBO may be watching! :shhh:

A 2.8 does sound mighty tempting though - what did you sell it for, out of interest?

Steve

Hi Steve

It was a lovely lens. Check out this sample shot and full ize crops:

I returned it under warranty as the focussing problems were unacceptable (it was with the newly launched at the time Minolta 7D. I think they have sussed it now as my 10-20 EX DC works perfectly). I replaced it with a Minolta 28-75 F2.8 (a stunning lens) and a Minolta 17-35 F2.8-3.5 (little better than average, but full frame if Sony ever do a full size sensor camera for the A mount).

The 17-35 has now become largely obsolete since buing the Sigma 10-20 EX DC. The super wide field of view is most useful:

Sorry, more temptation;)

Chris

Hi Steve

The 70-200 F2.8 may be on my shopping list next year also. That will move your image quality up a notch ot two in terms of detail and contrast. And of course move your bank balance down by a similar degree.

Chris

The 70-200mm f2.8 lens is superb. I got mine in the summer and is great for sports although on a ‘C’ sensor DSLR it seems a tad long for portraiture. Still, it’s a much better lens than I am a photographer.

All these were taken on my first outing with this lens and were hand held at around 180-200mm as I was near the back of Centre Court at Wimbledon.

The 17-35 has now become largely obsolete since buing the Sigma 10-20 EX DC. The super wide field of view is most useful:

Sorry, more temptation;)

Chris

Are you Maldon-based perchance? I used to work for Memories (Photo lab opposite Butt lane car park...until we folded last year :(

Now I'm fortunate enough to be employed by www.dpreview.com as the reviews assistant. I must say I'm very impressed with Sigma lenses. Being a family-owned company they seem to be more willing to innovate than the other third-party makers (12-24 24x36 anyone?) and are usually quite willing to upgrade the lens if you're having incompatibility problems with a new camera. Good service goes a long way these days and Sigma are up there with the best of them.

Gordon Solomon

Are you Maldon-based perchance? I used to work for Memories (Photo lab opposite Butt lane car park...until we folded last year :(

Now I'm fortunate enough to be employed by Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ as the reviews assistant. I must say I'm very impressed with Sigma lenses. Being a family-owned company they seem to be more willing to innovate than the other third-party makers (12-24 24x36 anyone?) and are usually quite willing to upgrade the lens if you're having incompatibility problems with a new camera. Good service goes a long way these days and Sigma are up there with the best of them.

Gordon Solomon

Hi Gordon

I am based in Chelmsford but often have a wander around the quay at Maldon. I noticed the lab had gone. Do you get to this area often? Hope to see you at a South East or East Briskoda meet this year.

I originally was after the 12-24 in Minolta fit but I waited months with no sign of one on the horizon, so went with the 10-20 as a stopgap. Trouble is it has been so good that it is now staying and I realy cannot justify the 12-24 even though it is simply stunning.

Re Sigmas service in the UK, I would say they are first rate. When I had probelms with an early release / implementation of the 18-50EXDC (another stunningly good lens IMO) they were extremely helpful. Service like this is a rare thing these days.

Chris

I live ( have done last 20 years) in Saffron Walden. Have to get down to SE Essex soon . If the Fab vRS ever arrives I'd love to make it to a few Briskoda meets. I used to be quite involved with the Alfa scene when I owned them but since I've been an A2 owner there doesn't seem to be much going on.

Glad to see you noticed us, must have been one of the few who did :eek:

Yeah, the 12-24 kicks butt. The boss has one but Canon fit. I want to try one on my Kodak SLRn. The 10-20 is no slouch though My old gaffer used to shoot Minolta and I did envy his 800si. Not once I got a D2h though

Take care and shoot loads,

Gordon Solomon