the sigma 24mm f/1.8 macro lens (for my nikon d3) arrived this afternoon while the twins were napping and my camera battery was charging.  i loved having a wide angle lens when i shot with film, but i sold it many years ago.  this was a range that i was missing from my equipment and really interested in working with again.  while the new nikon 24mm f/1.4G is without a doubt kickass, i will never be able to justify the cost.  if i shot weddings or was a photojournalist, it would make sense, but not for what i do.  after a lot of research online, i decided to give sigma a try.  i have never owned a sigma lens.  i did not really have a good reason for that, just never thought about them as an option.  when i started looking, i was really impressed with the photographers i found using sigma gear.

so by the time everyone was home, fed and the battery was ready, i was left with cruddy light and dirty and tired models.  i was too excited to wait another day though, so on the lens went and i gave it a whirl.

gemma noticed i had a new lens.  (i was very proud.)  her interest faded after 2 shots.  kind of fun though…the bobblehead distortion makes her look younger!

left: one shot that kieran “took” while i held the camera and clover.  kieran likes to push buttons…he is also and excellent garage door shutter, washing machine starter and crosswalk signal alerter.    right: kiki hunting baby in the backyard.  i do not understand how i get the ONLY crazy ragdoll cat in the world.  every other ragdoll cat i meet is docile and mine is the one with the attitude problem.  sigh.

being a macro, this lens can really get in close and focus.   kiki actually bit my camera today (see?  crazy!)  it gets that close.

verdict (on the lens, not the cat).
great lens for the price!
pros:
feels solid and well built
focuses fairly quickly.  no hunting around even in the dim light.
beautiful balance of sharpness and shallow depth of field at f/2.2, but still pretty sharp wide open.   i just found the focus was falling ever so slightly in front at f/1.8….that could be user error though.  ;)
colors rendered well

cons:
you have to clean up because it shows everything in your messy living room that you could hide from the 50mm.

so hello there, Sigma.  i am sorry that i have never given you a chance before.  welcome to my camera bag.  i had better go and see what else you have…i have heard there is a sweet 70-200mm f/2.8 in your catalog.

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