Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM

Designed specifically for D-SLRs with APS-C sized sensors, the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM offers a 35mm focal length equivalent of 12-24mm on a D-SLR with a 1.5x crop factor (13-26mm on a Canon D-SLR with a 1.6x crop factor), which makes it the widest zoom available for an APS-C D-SLR.

As you might expect from a lens with such an extreme focal length, there’s a bulbous, convex front element on the front of the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM which means you are unable to screw filters on the front.
The relatively slow variable maximum aperture of f/4.5-5.6 shouldn’t be too much of a concern due to the short focal length, unless you always shoot in low-light situations.
The lens tips the scales at a weighty 535g, with the exterior finished in matt black. There’s a good-sized zoom ring nearest the camera that provides a comfortable grip with a smooth transition through the focal range, and there’s a similar sized manual focus ring toward the front of the lens.
The AF/M switch at the side allows you to toggle between modes should you wish, and to protect the front element, there’s also a two-piece lens cap.

Image Quality
Image quality at 8mm has noticeable barrel distortion through the aperture range as well as some vignetting, too. There are some problems with fringeing – especially in the corners – while sharpness also seems to fall off at the edges. While edge sharpness and fringeing aren’t always perfect, the lens is at its best at f/11.
Though it has some issues optically, the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM is a solid all-round performer and offers a unique and wide focal length range for those shooting with an APS-C D-SLR.
If you want an ultra-wide optic and feel restricted by the current crop of wide-angle lenses on offer, then the 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM from Sigma definitely warrants further investigation.

AT A GLANCE
Price: £595
Mounts: Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax & Sigma
Lens Construction: 17 elements in 13 groups
Diaphragm blades: 7
Minimum aperture: f/22-29
Maximum aperture: f/4.5-5.6
Filter size: N/A
Minimum focus distance: 22cm
Weight: 535g
Size (DxL): 79x89cm
Visit: www.sigma-imaging-uk.com