Always good plan with some weaknesses

Always good plan with some weaknesses

Sigma 17-50 mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens (77mm filter thread) for Nikon lens mount (Electronics)

Customer Review

TITLE: Always good plan with some weaknesses

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ASSESSMENT:
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Optics: ****
mechanical quality: *** - ****
Functionality: ***
Price-Performance: *** - ****
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Overall rating: *** - **** (final rounded: ****)
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GENERAL:
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The Sigma 17-50mm / 2.8 EX DC OS HSM has been shown to have a service life of three months so far in different situations as a good always top-standard zoom. There is an overall objective, which means that although you have to make compromises, but does not hurt such a way that they affect the total picture sustainably.

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POSITIVE:
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Impressive is the high light intensity. Combined with the good anti-shake "OS" succeed even in low light conditions yet stunning photos. The anti-shake can compensate effectively for about three light values ​​in practice, so that with 17-20mm even 1/4 second from the open hand is possible, provided it is the steady hand of an experienced photographer. Both the D90 and the D7100 this Sigma lens convinces, at least in terms of their optical qualities.

That occur in photos with open aperture edge blurring and vignetting - for free! This is the case with virtually all high-speed lenses and is simply due to the design.

That barrel distortion are perceiving at wide angle - also for free! Show me just one standard zoom for cameras with APS-C / DX sensor which does not have this issue, in particular since the appropriate software easily correct both vignetting and distortion. And as long as the center everything is mapped so knackscharf as the SIGMA 17-50mm, the world is in perfect order.

The sharpness is so stunning. The 17-50mm / 2.8 maximum aperture forms at the center from impeccably sharp. Hides are only a half to two steps further down, the picture is sharp crack up in the corners. The color reproduction is typical of Sigma, a little cooler and more neutral than in tending to a warmer playback Nikkor lenses.

The respective focal typical optical errors occur when Sigma 17-50mm except at wide angle only moderately well corrected in appearance and were.

The susceptibility to flare in direct backlight holds despite the huge arched front lens within limits, which was a pleasant surprise. Nevertheless, the use of the lens hood is strongly recommended, and not least because this piece of plastic representing a degree of protection against mechanical damage of the front lens. Also chromatic aberrations have been shown to be problematic and are also easy to correct by software.

The autofocus is to be commended, because it is quiet, fast enough and meets at least accurate to the D7100 his goal. On the D90 there were a couple of times missed shots, but I attribute to the not so good AF system of the D90. At least if you use only the middle sensor (= cross-type sensor), the world was namely AF technically perfectly fine also on the D90.

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NEUTRAL:
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The Sigma is due to the generous "glazing", due to the high light intensity, a large and heavy lens, though not as a "monster" like Nikon DX 17-55mm / 2.8. Judging by its market price, the workmanship is alright, though m. E. a little too much to cheap-feeling plastic was installed. Here would have been possible without spending the cost to drive through the ceiling a little higher quality haptic impression.

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NEGATIVE:
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Unfortunately, some unsightly details tarnish the hitherto very good impression.

Let's start with the fact that the bokeh of the lens, so the type of display of the focus area provided a recording, is quite scary at wide angle. The Bokeh is very restless and "chopped", halfway appealing waivers only succeed beyond 35mm and really nice even at 50mm. However beautiful, creamy bokeh is rather a domain Powerful prime lenses beyond 50mm, which is why I do not want to overly negative assessment of this aspect.

Let's continue with the very trivial fact that the lens hood is a bad joke when it comes to their fit. You slackens and wobbles and you need their help again only at a slightly strammeren seat with some thin tape in the leadership of their bayonets. It's probably not a question of more than two to three cents per unit cost to produce this part with a decent fit.

As annoying in practice has proved that there is no FTM focus. FTM represents "full-time manual" and means that the photographer having to switch at any time without explicitly on the lens auto focus (AF) to manual focus (M), intervene in the focus and can track the focus manually. When Sigma 17-50mm you have to switch principle, which is an incomprehensible lack in the price range. This is especially true when there are cheaper Sigma lenses that have naturally about FTM. That the focus ring then is a bit too narrow even to be really handy and also has to be rotated in opposite directions for focusing all Nikkor lenses mentioned (from near to infinity clockwise reversed at Nikon) was only marginally. The latter, however, I see explicitly not considered a defect, but as a character.

That the outer focus ring in AF mode, however, rotates, is bad, because it makes a stable camera attitude (support the lens bottom with your left hand, as frequently used, especially in low-light situations) difficult. One must the focus ring, as opposed to not just hold of lenses that offer FTM focus while the AF operation or even turned by hand, otherwise the risk of damage to the AF mechanism of the lens.

Disappointing is the manual focus, because not only you have to explicitly the focus ring on the lens for manual use "unlock", but the Scharfstellweg from the shortest focusing distance to infinity is just 30 ° (= a Zwölfteldrehung the focus ring). Thus one rushes Although jiffy through the entire focus range, but spot-on and accurate manual focusing, becoming the random event.

There are good and actually rather poor last no weather protection, the front lens and bayonet against the ingress of moisture protects. When it rains, so you should, even if one has a sealed against water spray the camera body, without taking pictures with the Sigma 17-50mm / 2.8. While even an inexpensive Always top-fixed focal length like the Nikkor DX 35mm / 1.8 has an effective splash protection, the considerably more expensive Sigma 17-50mm / 2.8 in this respect should be explained to the losers. And since I had to experience it for yourself know that the Sigma lens slightly fogged from the inside, after getting into a cloudburst some powerful splash on the front lenses, I know from personal experience that a splash guard for lenses with all who are not pure fair-weather photographer are a quite important feature and is certainly not an unnecessary luxury. However, since Sigma not explicitly advertises the 17-50mm / 2.8 with protection against dust and splashing water, I did not even make this criticism included in the evaluation.

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COMPARISON WITH THE DX NIKKOR 17-55mm / 2.8:
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The approximately twice as expensive Nikkor DX 17-55mm / 2.8 is the Sigma 17-50mm / 2.8 slightly above in terms of sharpness in the center and at full aperture measurement technology clearly visible but inferior barely perceptible in the edge sharpness. With respect to optical defects like distortion, field curvature, vignetting at large apertures, etc., as well as the quality of Bokehs I see both lenses virtually at eye level under practical conditions, in one case or another with minimal benefits to the Nikkor. The Nikkor reproduces colors slightly warmer and has unlike the Sigma the possibility for FTM-focus and significantly more accurate manual focusing. The AF is a little faster and more accurate, with complaints about Sigma AF point in the proceedings are at a high level. Another advantage of the Nikkor is that the outer focusing ring does not rotate in AF operation, resulting in a safer camera attitude (right hand on the camera, left hand supports the lens from below) while shooting permits. The materials and workmanship of the Nikkor is like from another planet who feel and service are a dream and there is an effective protection against moisture and dust. Unlike the Nikkor but the Sigma provides a very effective anti-shake performance.

The DX Nikkor 17-55mm / 2.8 has therefore opposite the Sigma 17-50mm / 2.8 quite a few advantages, but the additional price to be paid for it has been more than generous. The heavy weight and generous dimensions make the best Nikon DX Zoom a true champion in the heavyweight division, with the emphasis on is "hard".

I would have had the opportunity of my photo dealer is a very good used for Nikkor 200 above the original price of the Sigma (then 600) incl. To obtain a one-year warranty. But I was not willing to pay for the "gold ring around the front lens mount" and the name of Nikon so much more. And even in the face of missing at Sigma weather protection and the experience that this can be useful certainly, I would not still. Because I change if I need to take pictures in the rain, dear to the DX Nikkor 35mm / 1.8, then I have not only an effective weather protection, but also equal to one and a half aperture more light intensity and a nicer bokeh. The variable focal length needs it then stop in the feet; Should be healthy running well known. ;-)

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CONCLUSION:
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The Sigma 17-50mm / 2.8 EX DC OS HSM is a good and fast aperture Always plan standard zoom and is aimed at discerning amateur photographers who want more than what very cheap kit lenses such as the 18-55mm DX have / high to provide 3.5-5.6 , Although it is not free of shortcomings, one of which ridiculous for all users is (bad lens hood), a demanding photographer annoying (no FTM-focus, co-rotating the AF system focus ring) and a potentially for all users annoying (no splash protection ), the 17-50mm / 2.8 is definitely worth a recommendation, if you can live with the above-mentioned deficiencies.

Actually, this lens is rated 3.5 stars out just right. But since there is no half stars on Amazon, I round the 3.5 mathematically correct up to, because a write-down to three stars would be given the undeniable qualities of this lens m. E. inadequate.

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PS: As for the series which incidentally scattering at Sigma, so I know nothing negative to report. I bought my Sigma 17-50mm / 2.8 in my photo dealer and since matched the very first copy, which I, like the Nikkor 17-55mm og / 2.8, was allowed to test extensively before I took it.

Super and very nice service Rank: 5/5
March 31
Think twice Rank: 2/5
November 17
perfectly OK 2 1 Rank: 4/5
June 7
great paint Rank: 5/5
November 22
Very good product. 730 Rank: 5/5
June 17
Perfect 1 7214 Rank: 5/5
October 29

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