Sigma 15-30mm f3.5-4.5 EX DG ASPHERICAL | Sigma | Lenses

Overview

Wide Zoom Lens
15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG ASPHERICAL

A super wide-angle zoom covering from 15mm ultra-wide angle to 30mm wide-angle

Sigma provides the new ultra-wide angle zoom lens from 15mm and this lens is the first of its kind in the world. It can be useful for images of landscapes, large buildings, group photographs or even more. The perspective that changes with the angle-of-view gives picture an extraordinary feeling.

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Minimum focus distance with 30cm (11.8 in.) at all Focal length
Delicate compositions can be adjusted by lens zooming and this is helpful for close-up photography. Provides deep Depth of field with its short focal length for amazing photographic expressions.

Desirable for digital SLR cameras
This is an ultra-wide zoom lens that covers a large wide-angle range from 15 mm to 30 mm. With a minimum focusing distance of 30 cm(11.8 inches) throughout the entire zoom range, it is an ideal lens for Digital SLR Cameras.

Aspherical lens for distortion correction
It incorporates hybrid aspherical lens in the front lens group to minimize distortion and astigmatism, and molded glass aspherical lens in the rear lens group to minimize Spherical aberration. Minimization of the distortion is a most important issue for zoom lens, but Sigma has succeeded, to provide image quality with minimal distortion by employing aspherical lenses.

Inner focus system
This lens incorporates an Internal Focusing system, which eliminates front lens rotation. Since focusing do not change its overall length, this lens is easy to hold and use. Also it is allowing the use of a Petal-type Hood.

Handling
The lens also incorporates Dual-Focus (DF) mechanism. It is easy to hold the lens, since the focusing ring does not rotate during auto-focus, yet it provides adequate focusing torque of the focusing ring during manual focusing of the lens.

Lens Construction		17 Elements in 13 Groups
Angle of view		110.5 - 71.6 degrees
Number of Diaphragm Blades		8 Blades
Minimum Aperture		F22
Minimum Focusing Distance		30cm
Maximum Magnification		1:6
Filter Size		Rear Type (Gelatin Filter)
Dimensions		Diameter 87mm X Length 132.5mm
Weight		620g
SRP		£599.99

15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG ASP		SIGMA
		CANON
		NIKON (D)
		SONY
		PENTAX

Lens Specifications

Generic Lens Specifications

Lens Type: Zoom
IS / VR / OS: None
Min Focal Length (mm): 15
Max Focal Length (mm): 30
Number of Elements: 17
Element Groups: 13
Max Aperture: 3.5
Minimum Aperture: 22
Diaphragm Blades: 8
Closest Focus Distance (m): 0.3
Maximum Magnification: 1.6
Filter Type: Gelatine
Diameter at widest (mm): 87
Lens Length (mm): 133
Weight (g): 620

Details

15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG ASP

Fitted Padded Case

Front and Rear Caps

Filter Template

Instruction Manual

1 Year Warranty Card

2 Year Extended UK Warranty Card

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USA Lens Price History

UK Lens Price History

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Editor review : Sigma 15-30mm f3.5-4.5 EX DG ASPHERICAL


Overall rating (weighted)		3.8
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		3.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		4.0

The optical performance of the finished objective is outstanding. Made from 17 elements in 13 groups, the 15-30mm incorporates a hybrid aspherical lens in the front lens group and another at the rear, which helps to reduce the distortion caused when using wide-angle lenses. Chromatic aberration, the bain of the digital photographer, is kept to a minimum by the use of a moulded aspherical in the rear lens group. Given the number of lens elements used in their construction and the wide angle of view, I was expecting flare, but Sigma's use of low Dispersion glass and aspherical elements has clearly done the job. The minimum focus distance is 30cm and minimum aperture f/22, so the lens is a capable piece of kit for its �390 asking price.

Why should you care what I think?

My relationship with this item: Editor review

Conclusions at a glance

Would you recommend this Item: Undecided
Pros: Sharp, lack of image distortion
Cons: Not a lot for this price

Last updated: Wednesday, 06 February 2008

User Lens Reviews

Average user rating from: 3 user(s)


Overall rating (weighted)		4.4
Sharpness		4.7
Build Quality		4.7
AF Speed		4.3
Value for Money		4.0

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Great Value, solid build quality, Sunday, 03 December 2006


Overall rating (weighted)		4.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		3.0

This lens compares very close to my Canon 17-40mm f4L lens. This lens does not have HSM (Canon equivalent of USM) so it is slightly noisy yet it focuses pretty fast except in low light conditions. Accessory flash is a must if you are using indoor low light shots.
Even though it says 15-30mm actual coverage is only 16mm at the wide end. I was a little dissappointed because I bought this lens thinking I would get 15mm because I own 17-40mm. I have not gained much in the wide side.
I paid less than half the price of Canon for this lens. This lens feel very solid.
Sharpness and color saturation is superb.

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All about what you need..., Tuesday, 09 May 2006


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		4.0

Let me preface this by saying that I have been seriously into photography for about 1 1/2 years now. I say this b/c often times when I am reading a review I don't know the persons level of expertise. I am no expert. I would consider myself a beginning amateur. If you would like to see some of my shots (in order for you to make up your own mind about how heavily my following comments should be weighed) check out cappspreception.blogspot.com. The photos are ordered from most recent to least recent. Onward...

Pros: 1) I was hard-pressed to get ANY glare off this lense. HUGE PLUS! 2) I was able to get extremely close (physically close) to my focal point allowing for precise DOF. 3) I have not been able to tell a loss of quality with a the aperature wide open (3.5 or 4.5 depending on zoom). 4) The built-in lense cap is a pro and con, depending on the situation. 5) Great feel to the lense. Nicely weighted, sturdy.

Cons (the few I have found): 1) Noisy as hell. Of course I own 2 L-series so I am not used to that at all. 2) It hunts worse than my other lenses. But, again, I own the L-series and they don't have this problem. 3) The built-in lense cap casts a harsh shadow if you are not using a bounce flash, so if you don't own a flash be prepared to use a tripod or steady hands b/c this thing will block the built-in flash all day.

Overall I am stoked to have finally bought a wide-angle. I feel like a whole new world has opened up to me and I was thrilled to not spend $1200! I recommend this, but be prepared for the few (minor) cons that come with it.

Incredible buy!, Friday, 16 January 2004


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

Performance:
This lens couldn't be much sharper at 15mm, it is pristine. Softer at 30mm, though still better than average corner to corner. I like that it seems optimized for 15mm. Very impressive, Sigma. Some flare, but any 15mm zoom is really prone to that. f3.5 is a little slow, but at 15mm 1/15 sec works for handholding, so it isn't a problem. Incredibly deep DOF at 15mm, makes for spectacular foregrounds, sharp from your feet to the horizon (at least with a cropping DSLR). 8 blades is very respectable for a lens of this price and not much is usually OOF.

Build:
Superior. Suprisingly light for it's size. Fast AF. The 82mm front thread is accomplished using a felt lined cap that slides firmly over the permanent pedal hood. A little awkward but it works a lot better than it sounds. No Vignetting with an 82mm front filter using a cropping DSLR at 15mm, I doubt the same would be true with full frame where the angle of view is really uncanny.

Overall:
Arguably the best in its class, great price makes it even better. Everytime I see the images I thank myself for buying this lens.