Sigma 12-24mm lens for Canon 5D Mark 1...is it a good lens?

[Sketchrender]

Sigma 12-24mm f4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM Zoom Lens For Canon Digital & Film Cameras

 

I have been offered this for 450 sterling it is second hand.

Is it a good lens ?

It is for a Canon 5D mark 1.

 

Thank you for the advise.

 

phil

[Dave Buchhofer]

Can't say much to the lens quality as I've never used one, but its the widest full frame lens you can easily find though i believe.

 

local used here it appears to go for $550usd (~350 sterling)

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

I can't speak for that lens in particular, but I have 2 sigma lenses that I have been more than happy with. I should say that I am not a pro, and don't have a ton of knowledge, but I like the quality vs price point that can be found in the Sigma line.

 

I can't remember what all of the designations mean on the Sigma lenses, but I think .....EX means it is part of their premiere line, HSM means hypersonic motor, which is decently quiet and fast. And I think the DG simply designates it as being optimized for a digital body.

 

When I just look at the specs of the lens my only thought is that I would prefer a faster lens with a shallower depth of field, but that may just be due to my amature photographer status. Meaning that adding DOF is an easy way of making an image interesting.

 

Will the store let you take it for a test drive? If so, shoot a few shots, and look at them on a monitor so you can really zoom in and check the sharpness, chromatic abrasion, distortion, etc..

Edited April 20, 2011 by Crazy Homeless Guy

[Sketchrender]

Thank you both for the advise.

It is in another country, but after looking at ebay for sigma lenses seems they can be gotten cheaper on line.

 

So I will look around.

 

Thank you

 

phil