Sigma 18-35mm F3.5-4.5 Aspherical UC A-mount lens review by profhankd

profhankd#36795 date: Mar-23-2017
sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	Various Sigma and Minolta wide zooms, e.g., baby beercan
price paid:	32 USD
positive:	price, FF ultrawide, good resolution, modest distortion, not much CA
negative:	veiling flare, not-very close focus, some purple SA
comment:	I have the identical Quantaray-branded version of this lens. Although the glass seems clean, contrast is very low and it gives "clumpy" specular points and veiling flare -- it would be terrible on film. However, autolevels brings up the contrast and reveals excellent resolution across FF even wide open... maybe not enough for 24MP APS-C, but it is doing fine on 42MP FF. I know that doesn't sound like the other reviews here, but that's what I'm seeing -- so maybe it's a Q/C thing or maybe Quantaray branded ones are different? Anyway, price/performance is outstanding for a FF ultrawide zoom. Incidentally, no problems with AF using the LA-EA4 -- at least not after I cleaned the lens contacts with a pencil eraser. I've posted a bunch of photos using my A7 and A7RII on DPReview; the A7RII ones are at https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59321906