Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC HSM A-mount lens reviews
reviews found: 6
 QuietOC#44225 date: Feb-11-2019 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.1 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Sony DT 16-50 F2.8 SSM Sony E 16-50 F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS Vario-Sonnar 16-80 F3.5-4.5 DT Sony DT 16-105 F3.5-5.6 Tamron SP 17-50 F2.8 Sony DT 18-55 F3.5-5.6 SAM I/II Sony DT 18-70 F3.5-5.6 Sony DT 18-135 F3.5-5.6 SAM Sony DT 18-200 F3.5-6.3 Canon EF 22-55 F4-5.6 USM |
| price paid: | 123 USD (used) |
| positive: | Optical stabilization Good image quality |
| negative: | Malfunctioning AF (no a65, a77 compatible sticker on box) Size and weight Reverse zoom direction 77 mm filter thread |
| comment: | Used copy with all original packaging purchased from an individual eBay seller via auction. This lens came out a year before the A77 was released and these early HSM lenses needed to be returned to Sigma to be updated to work on the new cameras. Sigma released a Contemporary version of the smaller 17-70 F2.8-4, but there is no Global Vision version of this lens. Sigma is currently offering a $300 retail discount that seems to be a clearance sale on remaining stock. "MADE IN JAPAN" This lens is slightly larger and heavier than the Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM. It's main feature over the Sony lens is optical stabilization. This lens lacks a focus clutch and uses a SAM type focus mechanism. The AF switch mechanically decouples the focusing motor. The focus control ring turns during AF operation. This seems to be an early copy with optical stabilization but no a65, A77 compatible sticker on the box. The lens doesn't focus well on any of my cameras. It hunts almost like the camera is using contrast-detect AF. It also hunts on the LA-EA4 and LA-EA3. I don't currently own any post Maxxum 7, pre-A77 bodies to try it on. There are references on this website and others to a free update offered by Sigma to fix focusing issues, but the linked Sigma pages no longer exist. This lens is sharper than the best copy of the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 I tried, but it is not as sharp outside the center of the frame as my Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM. The wide end is not as wide as the Sony, and the long end is a bit wider than the long end of the Sony and much wider than the Tamron 17-50. The angle-of-view of the long end is similar to their 50 F1.4 EX DG HSM and the Sony DT 50 F1.8 SAM as well as the 45 mm primes. The optical stabilization (OS) works well by itself, but it doesn't work properly with Steady Shot Inside. One of them needs to be disabled. The OS works constantly when enabled. This lens seems to be a good choice for Canon, Nikon, and Sigma dSLRs especially with the current sale and used prices. |
| derekw#27578 date: May-18-2016 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Tamron 17-50 f2.8 Sony ZA 16-80 f3.5-4.5 |
| price paid: | 140 gbp (USED) |
| positive: | Sharpness Good colour and contrast Inexpensive for the specification OS |
| negative: | Touch on the heavy side. Large lens |
| comment: | Only soft edges and corners at f2.8-4 detract from the overall excellent sharpness. Colour muted but very realistic compared to Sony/Minolta lenses For the price a 'no-brainer' |
| ezkilzon#12196 date: Mar-21-2015 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 3 overall: 3.7 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | 18-55 SAM |
| price paid: | 2500 skr |
| positive: | Sharp all over from f4 |
| negative: | Not sharp edges from 2,8 and also some distortion at wide end. A bit heavy, but that`s related to my neck problems... |
| comment: | Got it cheap in Sweden, and I think it´s very good for the price. It beats the kitlens by far. But the first one I got had some focusing error, so I sent it back for a replacement that works really nice. |
| flyryd#10973 date: Mar-12-2013 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.7 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | sigma 50 1.4 ex hsm sel1855 |
| price paid: | 630 usd new |
| positive: | very sharp lens through out its zoom range, and sharp at f2.8. f2.8 constant aperature. 77mm filter thread OS |
| negative: | zoom ring is little tight (also the case with my friends canon version). |
| comment: | i use this on my nex-7 with la-ea2. so because it has OS, it gets my vote. the lens is very sharp, especially for a zoom lens, its IQ is close to prime lens. zoom ring is the only problem, being too stiff. |
| My December#9613 date: Nov-21-2011 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 3 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 overall: 4.3 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | - Sony 16-80ZA - Sigma 18-250mm DC OS HSM |
| price paid: | 2200 MYR (New) |
| positive: | - Light & compact - Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) & Optical Stabilization (OS) - Very very sharp at center right from wide aperture (f/2.8) - Nice warm colors (typical Sigma) - Comes with a very nice and comfortable pouch. |
| negative: | - Cheap feel plastic build - Perhaps too compact? - No DMF |
| comment: | This lens is currently my permanent standard zoom lens on my A77. I got this lens before the Sony DT 16-50mm came out, so...I didn't bother to get the A77 kitlens. My copy has the 'Compatible with SLT' sticker at the box, so make sure yours have it too (in case your camera is a DSLT). Very sharp at the center straight from f/2.8. Near perfect at f4, and gets even better at f5.6. I just use f2.8 a lot with this lens. Great warm color. I love Sigma colors better than most of Sony/Minolta's lenses, though I still prefer Zeiss' glass coatings. It's all matter of preference though. The HSM works well, near silent focusing, but the focusing sound still audible in video shooting. SSM is still the best silent motor for Sony DSLR/DSLT videos. One reason I like this lens better than the Sony DT 16-50mm is the OS feature. I can choose whether to use the in-lens stabilizer, or in-body. In video mode, I think the OS works better than the on-body stabilizer (or the A77 has it's own video stabilizer). Although lab test shows the A77's video can hold up until about half an hour, most probably the test is in room condition. I live in a typical sunny climate, the camera may not be able to shoot video for too long. OS can really help to lessen sensor heat, rather than the on-body stabilizer. This lens' build really doesn't match with the price you paid. It really feels cheap. Even the cheaper Tamron 17-50mm have tougher build. The lens is light though, and very compact, but perhaps it is too compact for someone with big hands. The problem is, the zoom ring is too tight that your hands might grip on the focusing ring. Since it doesn't have a direct manual focus, you'll disturb the focusing mechanism if your hands grabbing on the focus ring during autofocus. I like the newer Sigma finish, than the old crinkle finish. |
| cruiser#9294 date: Aug-2-2011 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 overall: 4.5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 Tokina 116 f2.8 Sony 16-80mm (gone) Minolta 24mm (gone) |
| price paid: | 450 EUR (used) |
| positive: | +well build +77mm filter +HSM +sharp |
| negative: | -CA -color |
| comment: | I bought the Tamron first because of very good reviews. However, I was somewhat disappointed. The field curvature especially at 17mm is very pronounced - the edges at 2.8 are terrible. In the meanwhile I did get a reasonable priced used Sigma. At 17mm 2.8 it is a little sharper in the center and a lot sharper on the edges. (The Tokina is better, though). At 24mm I could not tell the difference to the very good Minolta 24mm. At 35mm and 50mm it is sharper on the corners and less sharp in the center than the Tamron. CA is more pronounced. Color is a little warm/yellowish. Vignetting is similar to the Tamron. 50mm is a little shorter than the Minolta 50mm f1.4. Sharpness at f2.8 is comparable, but the Minolta pics look a little crispier. I like the HSM. OS is marginally better than SSS, but no reason to buy the lens. Build quality is better than the Tamron but not as good as the Tokina. I will keep the Sigma and sell the Tamron. |
reviews found: 6
rating summary
- total reviews: 6
- sharpness: 4.58
- color: 4.50
- build: 4.17
- distortion: 4.00
- flare control: 4.50
- overall: 4.35
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