Sigma 17-70

[Dan Cook]

If anyone here's shooting with this lens can you give me some advice on getting the most out of this lens? I just got it today and have been shooting with it all day. Example:

http://www.midwestchasing.com/images/IMG_1137.JPG

I've heard that this lens is supposed to be very sharp but so far my little Canon 50mm is doing better than this one.

 

[Cris Schroeder]

If you're talking about the Canon 50 f/1.8, it may not be a fair comparison. My "thrifty fifty" is quite a bit sharper than my 17-40L, and a great investment for $80.

 

[Brett Roberts]

Dan, that looks like camera shake to me in the sample you posted. I notice you were at a shutter speed of 1/10 and a focal length of 70mm, so that's to be expected (assuming you weren't on a tripod).

I have the Sigma 17-70 as well, and while I'm not completely enamored with it, sharpness is not one of its weak points - for the price especially. Maybe try some outdoor shots tomorrow when you can get the shutter speeds you need to avoid camera shake and see how it does then.

Funny you got a lens today too; the Canon 10-22 I've been eying since midway through last spring finally arrived for me this evening. Good luck with yours!

 

[Aaron Kennedy]

My general rule of thumb is 1/(2*FL) for guaranteed sharp photos (assuming right focus) on 1.6x DSLR bodies. Depending on my steadiness, I may be able to squeak out 1/FL at shorter focal lengths.

 

[Dan Cook]

Thanks everyone.

Aaron, what are you referring to when you say 1/(2*FL)?

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

Thanks everyone.

Aaron, what are you referring to when you say 1/(2*FL)?

1 divided by (2 times the Focal Length). 50mm would then be 1/100.