canon 10-22 vs sigma 10-20 f4

[bearly]

so i've been reading about these two lenses, and though it seems the general consensus is that the canon is overall a higher quality lens, i have also heard a ton of good things about the sigma, and i could get it for significantly cheaper. i know sigma also has a newer constant f3.5, but that one is really close to the price of the canon, so i'd probably just get the canon instead.

i was wondering if anyone had used both lenses and what your opinion is on whether the difference is really noticeable and if it is really necessary it to go for the canon if i want quality images...

i got to play with the canon for a little bit and it was amazing, but i couldn't find the sigma at a store nearby.

[Big Nick]

I shoot the 10-22 and LOVE it, I also have some sigma lenses I really like so. In a recent trip to Europe it was the best thing in my bag

[bearly]

yeah this upcoming summer i'm going on a study abroad trip to europe which is why i want one. the main thing is that i also have to buy the camera body, because i don't yet own a dslr, so thats why cost is becoming a major issue... if i have enough money i'll for sure get the canon, but it's not looking like i'll be able to get to where i need to be financially in time

[Big Nick]

yeah I'm not sure you can get wide enough there. I was even stitching 5-6 photos of stuff I was taking at like 10 mm

[bearly]

stitching together 5-6 ultra-wide angle shots? holy cow that would get you some crazy panos

[Japaslavian]

Originally Posted by Big Nick

yeah I'm not sure you can get wide enough there. I was even stitching 5-6 photos of stuff I was taking at like 10 mm

I feel like the barrel distortion would make stitching these a huge pain...

Anyway, the general consensus that I've come to understand between the two lenses is that the Canon has nicer glass, faster focusing, and the build quality is overall better. I've been using one for a couple years now and it is essentially glued to my camera body. But if price is an issue, you really will not be disappointed by the Sigma. One of my good friends uses one, and the difference in quality is negligible in most cases. How well you take the photograph with it will determine the quality of the image in 90% of the cases.

[bearly]

ok cool. i'm glad it isn't much of a difference, but i still hope i have enough for the canon :P

[FormElement]

The canon is a much better rectilinear (distortion corrected) lens. I shoot all of my architecture with that lens pretty much exclusively. The distortion at 10mm is hard to see without a straightedge, and at 17mm is almost nonexistent (perfect straight lines). If you are shooting landscapes that doesn't matter. If you are shooting architecture, it makes all the difference. In fact, as far as I can determine, it's the best rectilinear wide angle lens under $2200.

[Japaslavian]

Originally Posted by FormElement

The canon is a much better rectilinear (distortion corrected) lens. I shoot all of my architecture with that lens pretty much exclusively. The distortion at 10mm is hard to see without a straightedge, and at 17mm is almost nonexistent (perfect straight lines). If you are shooting landscapes that doesn't matter. If you are shooting architecture, it makes all the difference. In fact, as far as I can determine, it's the best rectilinear wide angle lens under $2200.

I think this is partially true. In my experience, the distortion is pretty bad at 10mm towards the edge of photos on the horizontal axis. For instance:

The pier's supports are definitely not tilted like that...

It's less apparent on architectural shots because the perspective is different, usually going up, and even then, you can see the edges fanning out a bit.
It does get almost exponentially straighter as you zoom in, but at 10mm, you realize why it's under $2200.

[sybren]

You can easily correct the distortion of Canon's 10-22mm lens. I use Bibble Pro for this, and the only thing I need to do to get straight lines is to tick the "Correct lens distortion" check box.

Originally Posted by bearly

yeah this upcoming summer i'm going on a study abroad trip to europe

If you're coming to Amsterdam, The Netherrlands, let me know!