Excellent Sharpness throughout range, Light-weight, Fast f2.8 at 17 end, great PRO look/finish, Optical correction excellent

- Plastic build can pose problems?
- HUGE 82mm Filters, EXPENSIVE...
- Watch out for Flare

At first I was cautious in purchasing a lens that was not a Nikon. Don't be fooled by Nikon marketing into believing that no other lens can rival a Nikon ... for this Sigma lens has and I must say is pure magic to use. It is my first non-nikkor, and I must say I am extremely happy with its performance to date. Its 'Tack Sharp' at all focal lengths and at most apertures (not the best wide open at 17mm)great from 5.6/8 onwards, and in all respects is a true PRO lens. Two rolls of slides have proven this to me. Yes its not built like a tank, but hey I dont like carrying tanks around !!! Sigma's EX series lenses seem to be well built and to be honest equals if not betters most of my Nikkor's as far as image quality is concerned. At a fraction of the price of the Nikon alternative its great value for money

Customer Service

Never needed and will not be required, I hope !

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 28-70 f3.5-4.5 AFD, Nikon 28-80 4-5.6 AFD, Nikon 80-200 f2.8 AFD (not AFS), 50 f1.4 AFD

Linear distortion corrected quite well. Small barrel at wide end and small pincushion at tele (but show me wide zoom lens that has no distortion at all)
Pretty sharp when stopped down (above 5.6) - event at the edges. At 2.8 is noticeably soft (esp. at the edges)
Lightweight.
I didn't notice any vignetting so far.
Usefull range of focusing length.

Plasticky feel.
Not fluid manual focus.
Filters 82mm (good circ. polarizer costs 1/3 of the lens price).
Hood is somewhat difficult to put on.

Decent piece of glass (for the price). Mechanically could be better, but optically quite impressive. Wondering how it compares to the new Nikkor 18-35 f/3.5-4.5 ED (I expect it to be sharper than Sigma).

Customer Service

Not needed yet.

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 24-70 f/3.3-5.6 (horrible)
Nikkor 24-50 (serious distortion at wide end)

Low price, lack of flare, sharpness, color rendition. Quick, quiet focus (Canon EOS mount), no vignetting with a Hoya 82mm HMC skykight filter. A useable dof indicator at f/11 & f/16.

No full time manual focusing with Canon EOS; large filter (82mm), Canon 17-35 L focusus 8 cm closer.

I repeatedly had trouble saving up for the Canon EF 17-35 L. Several reviews, (Pop.Photo, a Peter Burian Shutterbug review, photodo.com) convinced me to try the Sigma. I've been quite pleased with the results over 50 rolls of print film.

Customer Service

No contact yet.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF 24-85 USM, Canon EF 20-35 f/3.5-4.5 USM.

Quite sharp even 17-35@35mm f/4.
Value for money.

Slightly warm but don't mind that i love warmer than cooler

I have bought used not HSM. Very satisfied sharp quality after I taken it at wedding with bounced flahs, even 17-35@35mm f/4.
I had used Nikkor prime only for several years, but I have changed all Sigma's that 17-25, 105 Macro, 300 f/4. for love it bright & light color better than heavy color.
Next time, I would buy Sigma's for example, 170-500, 50-500 HSM, 28-70 EX.

Customer Service

Not yet.

Similar Products Used:

AF 24mm f/2.8 D

Clarity is very good. Images are sharp and color is excelent. Focusing is quiet and very fast - focuses well (IF) with cir. pol.

Hmmm... nope.

The neatest lens I have used. The wide angle and relatively wide apature does a great job indoors and outdoors. Handling is effortless with EOS - easy focusing both AF and M. ECF works great all the way through the zoom. Lightweight. Comes with a well-built case (all Sigma EX lenses do, I think) which also accomidates my Sigma 28-300. $400+ can be a bit much for amatures whose lenses are not paying for themselves, but definately worth the $$$.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Various minolta lenses and Sigma for EOS, but nothing comparable to 17-35.

Tack Sharp!
Superb Colours!
Solid Body!
Perfect Hood

None

The is the best lens I've ever owned. This lens is perfect for Architecture, Landscape and Interior photography. You can also shoot potraits and large group of people. I love it!

Customer Service

Never required!

Similar Products Used:

None

Very sharp lens, quick focus, good build quality (solid), reasonalby priced, hood and case included, high fun factor

Awful 82mm filter size, glittery finish, slight plasticky feel

Performs amazingly well! (especially when compared to the earlier 18-35mm zoom which was quite poor) I've made several 16X20's off this lens - no problem. Great sharpness, just be careful when using filters as vignetting may be appear. Watch the corners for your feet, or other items when zoomed on 17mm ;-) You just may rediscover photography and the world through this lens.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 18-35mm

Light, cheap and well built

Soft wide open

Excellent replacement to the monstrous Nikon 17-35. I find this lens a bit soft on the edges especially when shooting wide open. I generally use it on my D1 with good results. For the price, it's a marvel.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 17-35/F2.8 AFS

Wiiiiiiide Angle; Fairly light; Cheap; Nice lens hood.

Expensive 82mm filters; Focus ring has no dampening; No full-time manual focus with AF on; cheesy feel.

Canon's 17-35 L lens costs about 3 times what this lens will cost you so the above weaknesses are more than acceptable. Sharpness is great along with overall picture quality and color. Watch out for vignetting with polarizers or more than one filter.
The amount of picture this thing sucks in when pulled out to 17-20mm will amaze you if you're not use to wide angle lenses. Be careful of distortion around the edges however (which is inherent with most wide lenses).
The most noticeable quirk of this lens is the fact that the focus ring has almost no resistence. I can grip the zoom ring and use the tip of my index finger to swing focus in and out; it almost feels like it's broken but it still works. Also, if you're used to full-time manual focus with AF enabled, you need to be careful. This lens will NOT manual focus with AF enabled.
All in all, if you're poor like me and want a good wide angle zoom, buy this lens. Although, if you buy a lot of filters for this thing, you may as well get the Canon!

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

nada

17-35 fantastic lens for landscapes. Extremely sharp + fast for a lens in this price range. Focuses very well on my canon.

Ugly finish. Not quite as sharp as I would have liked at 35mm especially around the edges. The red dot should be on the top of the lens... Overall very minor complaints. Great Lens!

For a lens in this price range its really a no brainer to get into the 17-35 focal length with f2.8-3.5 speed. Just buy it.

Customer Service

None required.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 20-35, Canon 17-35L, Canon 24-85