Using the Sigma 8-16mm Ultra-Wide Zoom

Tim Rock · Issue 60, May/Jun 2011 · pp. 33–35

Products mentioned: Sigma 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM, Tokina 10-17mm, Sigma 17-70mm Macro, Aquatica housing, Nikon D90, Nikon D200, Ikelite strobe, Nikon 12-24mm, Nikon 10-24mm, Aquatica zoom ring, Magic Filter

When news of the Sigma 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM ultra-wide zoom first came out, I was elated. I like to use Nikon DSLR cameras with APS-C size image sensors. This little marvel would give me a 35mm equivalent angle of view of a 12- 24mm lens. My idea of a perfect dive trip is when I never have to use a macro lens during the duration of a trip. So what I could do with an 8-16 on wrecks, in caves, for reef panos, shooting models and with big marine life was boggling my mind. According to the usual pre-release hype, Sigma’s FLD glass elements, equal to fluorite glass, correct for distortions and color aberrations to deliver beautiful high contrast images. Yee-haw. My order from B&H arrived and I unpacked it and noticed it was quite a bit bigger in length and barrel size than my bread and butter Tokina 10-17mm workhorse. Still, it isn’t a monster and the lens shade is built in to reduce flare.…