The one drawback of the APS-C sized sensor of most DSLRs is that a wide-angle lens isn't any more.

For example, a 24mm lens has an effective focal length of 36mm. To overcome this, a range of ultra-wide-angle lenses has been produced in the DX format.

This Sigma 10-20mm gives the 35mm equivalent of 15-30mm.

I have to admit that I bought this lens with one particular application in mind, which was shots at the Nurburgring:

But I've really been surprised how often I use it. It's a lot of fun, and has really had me look at the world in a different way than with my normal walking-around lens (Nikkor 35-70/2.8).

You can even use it for people shots on occasion - I haven't yet met a woman who objects to being made to appear taller and thinner ...

One minor annoyance with the lens is that the rear cap doesn't fit Nikon lenses! The normal process for swapping lenses is, of course, to put the rear cap from the lens you are using onto the lens you just removed. Which you can't do.

This is easily solved by buying a spare Nikon rear-cap - which fits both Nikon and Sigma lenses - but how dumb does a company have to be to manufacture a Nikon-fit lens and then make the caps incompatible?!

But I really recommend the experience of shooting with a very different lens to your preferred one. This year, I'm going to have to take the 70-210/4 out to play ...

www.benlovejoy.com | Photography | Lenses | Sigma 10-20mm