Sigma 28-105mm D f/2.8-4

[frankgh]

This is not an EX lens, it's the cheap one. It is not a Macro lens but it works for me! Actually it is the only lens I have right this minute but new ones are coming!
Settings:

org org hard 1/60 f11 iso 200 105mm vivitar 285 held off camera about 45 degrees off subject. Only resized and converted from raw to tiff to jpeg, no USM.

[frankgh]

Now, this is why I thought this would be a good pic for the lens test section. I was shooting some shots for eBay and when I was done, the cat made herself comfortable. I couldn't resist. Here is an unresized crop of Nakochan's eye . You can see the reflection of the tripod in her eye.

[jhawk1000]

Frank

I bought this lens off of Ebay for a ridiculously low price. I expected very little since I am one of the moderators for the Nikon Mailing List and it seems that most of the members thoughts about Sigma are negative. I have been pleasantly surprised at the sharpness and lack of coloration from this lens. I use it all the time for photos for a monthly legal magazine I edit and contribute photos. Maybe I got a good one, maybe my expectations are less or maybe some lens snobbery exists when Nikon addicts talk about Sigma.

I also own a Tamron 300mm 2.8 AF and Linda has a Tamron 24-135mm and we find them well built and very worthwhile. I do think some of the Nikon lenses I own are extremely sharp (35-70mm 2.8----180mm 2.8---85mm 1.8---80-200mm 2.8D EDIF). By the way, we also have the Tokina 20-35mm and it is a keeper also.

Mel

[frankgh]

Mel, I gotta say I'm really pleased with this lens too. I thought some of my earlier images were pretty soft and it turned out to be some pretty stupid mistakes on my part that was causing the problem. I have a Sigma APO Super Macro II 70-300 coming and a Sigma 14mm EX on the way as well. I will be looking forward to posting some test shots from them soon. Modern tech is great and if you take your time, do things correctly even these "budget" lenses perform very well.

Frank

[Swampy]

I think that's been an issue with Sigma lenses and people. Some Lenses are built better than others (same Sigma models!). Reading here, there's been a few people who didn't like a particular Sigma lens, where others did like the same lens and didn't have any of the issues that the other person had.

I've used the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8EX (2 different ones!), 50-500mm EX HSM and the 14mm EX HSM (2 different ones!) and have had great results with all 5 of them. Sharp, great color...

Frank - Nice. Looks like you lucked out with a great lens for cheap bucks!

[frankgh]

After looking a little closer, thats not just the tripod, but you can see me holding the flash unit has was. Just too cool!