Whether it comes to photography from space, vast landscapes and large buildings will always need to return the largest possible angle of photographers to capture your subject. Then come to use the ultra wide angle lens class. One of them, the Sigma 10-20mm F3, 5 EX DC HSM I was able to undergo a thorough testing.

The smaller to reach the image sensor of the camera, the harder it will be a large angle, or a small focal length (Verlängerungs-/Crop-Faktor). There are currently reaching for cameras with EF / EF-S mount lenses have a lot of not very small picture below 20 mm equivalent focal length and a camera with an APS-C sensor. The choice was between the following lenses:

• Canon EF-S 10-22mm 3.5-4.5 USM
• Tokina 12-24mm / 4 Pro DX II
• Tamron 10-24mm F / 3.5 to 4.5 SP Di II LD Aspherical IF
• Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
• Sigma 10-20mm 3.5 EX DC HSM

The Canon EF-S 10-22mm is as good if not outstanding lens. It is the most expensive of these, and like most of the Canon EF-S lenses of very "lightweight construction". The Tamron is interesting due to the large zoom range, but is often criticized for its strong focus on the waste boundary. The Tokina is considered "quasi-reference" among the ultra-wide angle lenses. Unfortunately, it starts with a focal length of 12mm (~ 19mm on an APS-C camera), so it's not for me come into question.

That to me on the Canon EOS 50D tested Sigma 10-20/3, 5 is the successor of the famous Sigma 10-20/4-5, 6 and differs from its predecessor mainly due to the better and constant light intensity over the entire zoom range . It is about 520g with 50g heavier than its predecessor, a little longer and consists of 13 elements in 10 groups. The optical system is calculated on the small image circle, so usable without restrictions only to APS-C cameras.

The lens makes a very quality impression. Both the focus and the zoom ring can be operated comfortably. The ultrasonic autofocus drive (HSM) is accurate, fast and very quiet. It allows a permanent manual intervention in the focus. Comes complete with a flower-shaped lens hood and a very well-padded lens case. Both are part of the competition is not necessarily the norm.

Already the first test of focus and sharpness of the lens leaves you wanting more. The resolution and sharpness in the center is excellent even at full aperture. She is typical wide-angle to edge up, but even at the extreme edge is still very neat. Also keeps the distortion is very limited and is for the usual range (not just when you shoot brick walls ) Properly. In strong contrast to the 10mm position covered at 100% views at the outer edge small to medium chromatic aberrations (CA) on. . But these are within acceptable limits and are smaller than my Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS . Vignetting is barely discernible in practice.

Since the weekend the weather presented by the technically more pleasant side, a practice test urged in nature to just be. Even here has convinced me of the lens. The extremely large angle of about 100 ° and the good resistance to lens flares under backlight makes it perfect for this purpose.

Sample images:

Conclusion:

The Sigma 10-20mm F3, 5 EX DC HSM is a lens with good optical valent to a Canon APS-C camera properties. Makes the good price / performance ratio makes it real for me on a recommendation.

Addendum:

And one last comment. Wide angle lenses are happy with polarizing filters to remove, used for landscape photography by interfering with veil and catch the sky clear, beautiful contrasts. The Sigma 10-20mm F3, 5 EX DC HSM is a relatively large 82mm filter thread owns. Since a Circular Polarizer (CPL), as he needed for digital cameras AF is very fast really expensive. After some searching I found a good, multi-coated polarizer for very little money, even for the "opportunity offender" is affordable:

• Circular Polarizer 82mm Quenox (MC) for 20 €
• Marumi 82mm Circular Polarizer about 80 €

Tags: equipment , EOS , hardware , lens , Sigma , engineering , test , zoom

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