Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG DF for Nikon AF-D

I purchased the Sigma 15-30 zoom specifically for use on a digital SLR, so most of my photos will be taken in the sweet-spot in the center of the image. I prefer zooms on digital SLRs because changing lenses creates a dust problem with them, so the less you have to change them the less often you have to clean. The sensors are remarkably easy to damage, so any cleaning is a risk.

I have tested it with both Digital and Still cameras and the results are really quite good; even in the corners of full frame 35mm film. Yes, there is some barrel distortion at 15mm, especially with full frame 35mm photos, but it is quite acceptable. Now that Adobe Photoshop allows distortion correction it is very easy to correct. The effect is less noticable on my 1.5:1 digital, and for most uses isn't noticable. Sharpness and color correction are alot better than I expected. I'm not talking about perspective distortion - that just goes with the territory very wide angle lenses. I have been a professional photographer for a lot of years and I am very satisfied with the images. I've gotten worse from non-zoom lenses in the 15-21mm range; and paid a lot more for them. It isn't up to the quality of my fixed focus 15mm Nikkor, but very few ultra-wide lenses are. It will produce a professional quality image, with a lot more versatility than a fixed focal length lens, and that's what counts. I haven't carried the 15 Nikkor for a while unless I'm specifically shooting architecture on film, not digital.

Mechanically the lens is smooth in operation with good feedback and no slop in the zoom or focus. It is also remarkably light weight but seems very durable. All-in-all a remarkable piece of optics for the money.

You cannot beat the price for such a fantastic super-wide angle lense. Very little distortion for a 15 mm and wonderful sharpness. Don't buy the nikon lense, save money, buy high end sigma!