Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2, Endnote

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, image making with a Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2, ending the shoot on the Canon EOS 700 QD.

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An endnote to a couple of very rewarding sessions with an EF version of the Sigma Zoom AF 21-35mm F3.5~4.2, mounted on the Canon EOS 700QD, with posts on a zoom range shots in the park, scenic landscape shots, a city street-walk before this backdrop session of architectural and urban landscape elements.

To round up the sessions, in the shortest few words, the Sigma Zoom AF 21-35mm F3.5~4.2 (1985) is a very impressive and capable lens. It is reasonably sharp, wide open, and very sharp once you stop down. Set to Landscape Mode (F8 or smaller) in Intelligent Program AE on the EOS 700QD, there is not much more you can fault the lens with.

Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2

This AF version is a carryover from the famous and revolutionary MF version first introduced in 1979. Still mainly of metal and glass, and rubber grips, the lens comes with a bigger 72mm front element, as compared to 62mm on the prior. With its size and weight, the Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm F3.5~4.2 is never the fastest kid on the block, though.

Canon EOS 700 QD, Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2

Despite the bulk and weight of the camera and lens combined, which adds up to almost 1.4 kg in weight, the sculptured body of the EOS 700QD helps to keep the camera snug and comfortable in your hand. The fun and ease of carrying or lugging the camera around and using it to shoot at eye level, at arm's length, or hipster style dispel the notion of weight as a burden.

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Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2, The Street Scene

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, image making with a Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2, on a street shoot with a Canon EOS 700 QD.

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My guess on the best part of having an autofocus super-wide-angle fitted to your AE (auto-exposure) SLR film camera, in this case, a Sigma Zoom AF 21-35mm F3.5~4.2 mounted on a Canon EOS 700 QD, is the fact that you can use it just like a plain and simple point-and-shoot camera, or in whatever form or style you fancy.

This includes holding up the camera to your eye for proper framing, hipster style, or by holding the camera away at arm's length while framing the image in guesstimate style. While you might end up having an interesting composition with the last method, it might not work at all either.

The Sigma Zoom AF 21-35mm 1:3.5~4.2, launched in 1985, was a carryover from the highly acknowledged MF version of the world's wide-angle zoom, Sigma Zoom-Gamma 21-35mm F3.5~4 (1979), back when no one was sure if such a lens was possible.

Canon EOS 700 QD, Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm 1:3.5~4.2

While the camera and lens combo might be a bit of bulk, with a combined weight reaching nearly 1.4kg, it was, nevertheless, fun to use. All you need to do is set the lens to the focal length you want to shoot with, and off you go. Everything else is automatic, even the film rewind at the end of the roll.

Canon EOS 700 QD, Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm 1:3.5~4.2

Just as well, the Canon EOS 700QD is one of the cameras that comes with a Reversible Selector Dial. Do this by unscrewing the knurled screw of the selector dial, flipping the dial over, and you will have access to the camera's shutter priority mode.

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Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2, The Landscape

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, image making with a Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2, shooting the landscape.

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Continuing from where I left off with Part I of my first outing with the EF-mount Sigma Zoom AF 21-35mm F3.5~4.2, a lens highly acknowledged for its image quality and sharpness. These images were from the same hazy early morning visit to the park, looking more at the overall landscape rather than the zoomed-in views.

To some extent, I do have to agree that the lens is capable of capturing and rendering the images as mentioned and commented on in the forum, while I do believe that I may have a bit more to learn about handling such a versatile lens.

The Sigma Zoom AF 21-35mm F3.5~4.2, launched by Sigma in 1985, was a carryover from the highly acknowledged and revolutionary MF version, which was first introduced in 1979. Back then, no one was quite sure if such a lens was possible until Sigma proved otherwise.

Canon EOS 700QD, Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-25mm f/3.5-4.2

The AF version, which came with a 77mm front end, is much bigger than the original 67mm, still with its built-in floral hood, and has only a single ring for the zoom control, with the aperture opening linked to the camera's AE mechanism. The lens is all metal and glass, made to last, and comes in at a hefty 480 grams in weight.

Canon EOS 700QD, Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-25mm f/3.5~4.2

Mounted on the Canon EOS 700QD, the camera is a bit of a tight fit into the compartment of my green khaki triangular camera bag. With the divider moved to accept its larger size, the opposite side is a much smaller space, just big enough for me to slip in a 35mm compact, part of my routine of always having a couple of cameras in the bag.

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Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2, Take I

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, image making with a Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2, the world's first wide-angle zoom lens.

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I already had a copy of the Sigma Zoom-Gamma 21-35mm 1:3.5~4.2, a 1979 vintage from Sigma in my collection, and had a couple of good outings with it, but went on and decided to add the AF version of the lens, the Sigma Zoom AF 21-35mm 1:3.5~4.2.2, to the jumble. The lens, an AF version of the same, very highly rated by reviewers on the Dyxum forum, was released in 1985. It came with a 77mm. diameter front element, bigger when compared to the 67mm of the prior, and it weighs in at 480 grams.

My copy comes with an EOS EF-mount, and the camera I had to test it on was the Canon EOS 700QD (1990). Aside from the weight of the camera and lens, which totals almost 1.4 kg (with a heavy-duty wide shoulder strap attached), it might not take too long for you to feel the weight when it is hanging down your neck; both cameras and the lens seem to be functioning well. This is despite their age, which are about 35 and 29 years old, respectively.

Canon EOS 700 QD, Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2

As was the case with all cameras that I tested, the first instance was always down to the park, an early morning visit this time, with the main emphasis of the test being the zoom range of the lens. Images were shot on Kodak ColorPlus 200, post-processed on Olympus Viewer 3, and print sharpened on Windows Photo.

Canon EOS 700 QD, Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2

Your observation is probably as good as mine due to the rich color rendition of the landscape. I will have to work harder, however, on getting sharper images with different subjects and lighting conditions while going through the various preset shooting modes or with the shutter-priority option.

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