Sigma 14mm 2.8D EX HSM Aspherical: anybody using it on FX?

[Valeria Lages 0]

Hi, people,

I own an old Sigma 14mm F2.8D EX HSM ASP which despite being very big and heavy used to deliver amazingly sharp images when shooting chrome films and APS-C sensors on land as well. When I switched to full-frame it could be seen some flare in my outdoor pictures, I guess due to the fact that it's not "nano coated" (or some Sigma nomenclature equivalent to the ones advertised by the Nikkors) for big digital sensors. Hence naturally I started to choose another WA among my lenses (like the Nikon 16mm FE or the 16-35mm) rather than this, and have never dared to try it UW in order to avoid the critical limitations that shooting against the sunburst could bring me.

Indeed I must say that I love this lens so much that as time went by I simply couldn't see myself selling it, so I kept it for many years even with no use at all. Now I'm reviewing my whole gear because I'm gonna upgrade and then, seeing this kinda "forgotten" lens, I wonder whether I can give it some more dignified use than be left forever at the end of my cabinet… If not, I'll be definitely selling it in order to make some more money to add to my upcoming new acquisitions.

Only to justify such a passion, worth say it focuses very close: 18cm - being probably the shortest focal length, non-fisheye wide-angle auto-focus lens with a fast 2.8 maximum aperture - but anyway I've never gave it a chance UW because it's not "coated". Thus, I have no idea how would it perform, for instance, behind a dome (which one, by the way?), paired to a TC (I have Nikon 14II and 20III), neither about dedicated extensions etc.

Finally, the obvious question: Anybody has already used this lens UW? If so, does its benefits outweigh in someway dealing with its size and weight? I'm interested primarily on FX users' experience, but DX's incomings are also welcome as I do would like to have an strong reason to remain keeping it... Just joking! : )

For sure any thought about it will be much appreciated!

Valeria

[Alex_Mustard 0]

I have not tried the lens.

 

I just wanted to comment that it would be very unlikely to physically fit on Nikon's 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters.

 

Alex

[Valeria Lages 0]

Hi, Alex, thank you for the feedback.

Concerning to your advice about the TCs: you're right, I've just tried and both don't fit into the lens.

By the way: have you tried the 1.4xIII? And if so, did you notice some significant improvement over the previous version which could worth the upgrade? I mean any performance benefit, besides the thickness.

Valeria

[tgait 1]

Valeria, did you ever learn the answer to your question? I am buying a used sigma 14mm f/2.8 for different reasons but would like to use it on my crop sensor camera (D300) with an 8 inch dome on a subal ND30 housing. I was wondering the same question of whether or not it will work because it can't accept a diopter. Thanks.

 

Tom