Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM

[BobbyT]

I don't know how much of an importance this is as I don't think I would like to replace the 30MM with a 28mm or 35mm Canon as they don't seem as robust in build.

The only lens to go to from the Siggy 30 is the 35L.

[rgs-]

i found the same thing with the hood seemingly barely hanging on.

[Nifkin]

Old London Town through a Sigma 30mm:

[JayStar86]

wow.... this lens really takes some amazing pictures... with the help of a great photographer behind the camera av-course!

This will be next lens for sure.

[palaima]

I'm getting this lens (to replace my sigma 17-70) very very soon(next week or the week after) , any last minute drawbacks? I will shoot 1.4 to f2.2 ALL the time (used nifty for some time, didn't go over 2.5..) - i hope it is stellar for the price in that range...

[Dick Emery]

I have no problems with the lens hood. I find it very good actually. Maybe they changed it slightly? Also I don't see much vignetting so it's not an issue. I am still contemplating whether to spend the £80 on getting my lens 'fixed' due to the debris in the middle of the lens. As previously stated it's not visible for 95+% of shots and only appears in strong front light. Seems an expensive option for only a handful of shots it 'may' affect.

Decisions, decisions.

[palaima]

What debris?? From the lens itself or just dust?

[Nifkin]

I am still contemplating whether to spend the £80 on getting my lens 'fixed' due to the debris in the middle of the lens.

How much did you pay for the lens in the first place? About £270? I guess if you spend that £80 to have it overhauled you'll end up with a spot on, as-good-as-new lens for a little under the current average retail price for your total spend, so it may well be worth it.

[Dick Emery]

What debris?? From the lens itself or just dust?

It's debris from inside the lens. Looks like a silver flake of something. It will not budge. When I get full frontal light sources like the Sun for instance I get a red or purple blob/spot appear in the shots.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g190/deadman3000/IMG_5233.jpg

[Dick Emery]

How much did you pay for the lens in the first place? About £270? I guess if you spend that £80 to have it overhauled you'll end up with a spot on, as-good-as-new lens for a little under the current average retail price for your total spend, so it may well be worth it.

£270 yup! I may consider it. It will be hard to resell like it is without leaving out this detail (The Ebay seller who sold me it though did. Cheeky sod).

[Nifkin]

£270 yup! I may consider it. It will be hard to resell like it is without leaving out this detail (The Ebay seller who sold me it though did. Cheeky sod).

Then I suggest you go back to flea bay and leave the seller some negative feedback! Actually, the only person I'd buy anything more than a filter from on that site is Kerso; now there's a businessman who likes to honour a deal properly 8)

[bennnjaamin]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4209735268_607508e976_o.jpg

About £280 brand new?

[Nifkin]

About £280 brand new?

Not sure what your point is; Dick and I are talking UK retail price as we're in the UK, not US retail price. Cheapest it can be had for here in the UK is around £320, with the average being a bit over £350.

[Pauly_G]

A few taken this afternoon, out playing in the cold, cold, snow with my better half's horse!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/4257337086_c8545719d0_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2735/4257337184_04505afcb8_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4257337476_6b6f42a699_b.jpg

[S-S]

a couple from last week

[S-S]

couple more

[courier]

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/MattPetley/IMG_5153.jpg

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/MattPetley/IMG_5111.jpg

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/MattPetley/IMG_5206.jpg

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/MattPetley/IMG_5220.jpg

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/MattPetley/IMG_5196.jpg

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/MattPetley/IMG_5174.jpg

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/MattPetley/IMG_5130.jpg

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/MattPetley/IMG_5101.jpg

[pridash]

^^^ A fellow East-Londoner! :)

Nice shots, especially the snow ones (the bus in particular)- I assume you was under cover when taking them?

I'm trying to picture where the first one is - it looks very familiar but can't place my finger on it.

[courier]

^^^ A fellow East-Londoner! :)

Nice shots, especially the snow ones (the bus in particular)- I assume you was under cover when taking them?

I'm trying to picture where the first one is - it looks very familiar but can't place my finger on it.

hello mate! Yup another E London on POTN:D

The bus shot was under cover - just inside st pauls stn. The BW snow shot was taken bravely outdoors!

The first one is just by the tate modern. Would be interested to see some of your London shots with this lens !

[pridash]

hello mate! Yup another E London on POTN:D

The bus shot was under cover - just inside st pauls stn. The BW snow shot was taken bravely outdoors!

The first one is just by the tate modern. Would be interested to see some of your London shots with this lens !

I can picture it now!

...and yeah, I'll post some photos up, when I get off my lazy backside and take my camera into town! :)

[Nifkin]

I used to be London E9, Now NW11 (coz that's where the gf lives) :D

Nice pics.

[illusions]

Here's my share...
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/1535/bohol171of414vi8930038.jpg

[palaima]

Mine is arriving tomorrow! (hopefully - there is a snow storm outside....) Can't wait to get my hands and eye on it! :)

[corey.b]

Is there some kind of production problems on this lens?

I went to Aden Camera, Henry's Camera, Downtown Photography, and Futureshop. None of which had this lens in stock, and Futureshop said theres none even in their warehouses for a long time now. Is there a manufacturing problem (Besides focusing) that is slowing production or something?

That said, the price for this lens at Futureshop just dropped to $550 (Canadian). Adens sells for $600, and everyone else from $650.

[Coppatop85]

try the internet! amazon, KEH, B+H, and adorama should all have them in stock.

[AWGD8]

ISO 800 - Background is a reflection of Plasma TV on the table.... :-) A bit of cropping done on all pictures.


@f1.8 no flash


http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/3289/64662056.jpg (http://img44.imageshack.us/i/64662056.jpg/)

@f1.4 no flash

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6201/mg5917.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/mg5917.jpg/)

@f1.4 no flash

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6632/mg5986.jpg (http://img85.imageshack.us/i/mg5986.jpg/)

@f1.4 no flash

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/5418/mg5903.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/mg5903.jpg/)

@f2.0 WITH FLASH

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/5827/mg5955.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/mg5955.jpg/)

[DStanic]

Is there some kind of production problems on this lens?

I went to Aden Camera, Henry's Camera, Downtown Photography, and Futureshop. None of which had this lens in stock, and Futureshop said theres none even in their warehouses for a long time now. Is there a manufacturing problem (Besides focusing) that is slowing production or something?

That said, the price for this lens at Futureshop just dropped to $550 (Canadian). Adens sells for $600, and everyone else from $650.


Perhaps it's because it is a "EF-S" style lens, and will not work on FF. The average person with Rebels and 50Ds are looking for their next zoom lens not so much primes.

[AWGD8]

Looking at my car pictures above, @ f1.4 does it seems soft? or is it bec. I was shooting a subject against the light coming from the big screen tv? The first 4 pictures taken with no flash and against a shiny reflection from the tv and table. Am I expecting too much from this lens? I think the minimum focus on this lens is around 15inches? These shoots were taken less than 15 inches away from lens to subject... I noticed that when I shot at f1.4 , tiny object like this has a 50/50 rate of turning soft, but when I shoot a face of a person, even at 1.4 it`s sharp! Any other observation from you guys? What is the sweet spot on this lens with no flash?

[courier]

Looking at my car pictures above, @ f1.4 does it seems soft? or is it bec. I was shooting a subject against the light coming from the big screen tv? The first 4 pictures taken with no flash and against a shiny reflection from the tv and table. Am I expecting too much from this lens? I think the minimum focus on this lens is around 15inches? These shoots were taken less than 15 inches away from lens to subject... I noticed that when I shot at f1.4 , tiny object like this has a 50/50 rate of turning soft, but when I shoot a face of a person, even at 1.4 it`s sharp! Any other observation from you guys? What is the sweet spot on this lens with no flash?

i am still trying to figure that out myself! Having said that i think your car shots are excellent. Great use of the reflection of light from your TV :D

[AzzKicker]

Are any of you guys getting HORRIBLE Purple Fringing. I shot a few basketball games with the Siggy and all white outlines on uniforms have a purple glow.

[courier]

Are any of you guys getting HORRIBLE Purple Fringing. I shot a few basketball games with the Siggy and all white outlines on uniforms have a purple glow.

sounds like chromatic abberation. The sigma is supposed to be good for not having this problem.

[KarlosDaJackal]

Looking at my car pictures above, @ f1.4 does it seems soft? or is it bec. I was shooting a subject against the light coming from the big screen tv? The first 4 pictures taken with no flash and against a shiny reflection from the tv and table. Am I expecting too much from this lens? I think the minimum focus on this lens is around 15inches? These shoots were taken less than 15 inches away from lens to subject... I noticed that when I shot at f1.4 , tiny object like this has a 50/50 rate of turning soft, but when I shoot a face of a person, even at 1.4 it`s sharp! Any other observation from you guys? What is the sweet spot on this lens with no flash?

If your at MFD and f/1.4 on this lens your can miss focus just by swaying forward and backwards from breathing, the DOF is that thin. For that kind of shot if you want that narrow a DOF and you want it accurately place you need a tripod. That's true for all fast primes used close-up.

Looking at your 3rd picture f/1.4 no flash it looks sharper than the others on the part that's in focus (top of the front wheel arch). But these look noisy and slightly underexposed, which is harming the picture, so I guess you where marginal on shutter speed. Bearing in mind you used and xsi (1.6 crop) and this lens I hope your shutter speed was at a minimum 1/50 ( 30mm x 1.6 = 48 ). But then you've gone and cropped the shot even further so of course you probably want a much higher shutter than the minimum. I'd guess for that kind of crop you'd want a 1/120 shutter speed at least.

All of this is negated in the flash shot (full power flash is equivalent to 1/1000 shutter, low power can be as fast as 1/20,000) when you have a more reasonable DOF, your focused on the number on the side of the car, you don't have the noise issue either. it looks way better as a result :cool:

[palaima]

So finally i', in da club! Bought it used from here and it is really like new!
Got mine today, so far - love the rendering, seems a bit heavy for such a small lens, very nicely built and the focus ring will be something to get used to. The bad thing - i wont be able to use it much - exams ;(
What the first picture should include? :D
Cheers,
Paulius

[Cassie]

A duck of course ! Congrats, it's a great lens!

[palaima]

Thanks! By the way, does it have full time manual?

[X-Warrior]

Yes. Didn't you get the manual with it then? (It's a big one-page leaflet.)

[palaima]

Yes. Didn't you get the manual with it then? (It's a big one-page leaflet.)

Thank you!
Too tired to read anything - 3 days of non stop chemistry, biochemistry and biodiversity! It doesn't sound that bad...but when one has to remember phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (it is not the longest one :P) it is kinda painful :D

[egordon99]

Thanks! By the way, does it have full time manual?

Any Sigma lens that has "HSM" in the designation has full-time manual.

HSM is more or less the same as Canon's USM.

[palaima]

egordon - thanks, i knew the USM part, but never really did any research in hsm (this is actually my first lens with any of these motors..and boy do i love it already!)

[Pauly_G]

I don't think there are enough pictures on this page....so here's a recent one from me:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4271679908_e4801d00ae_b.jpg

[palaima]

So this is the first shot :)
Sorry it is not much, but the weather outside is just terrible :/
I noticed that colors form this lens are very weird, they look very warm, and kinda desaturated (i shoot raw). Still it suit my style just perfect!
Noticed i small (about 1cm) inaccuracy during autofocus at minimum focusing distance - but thats not a big deal :) I might even be wrong!
Processed in lightroom
http://images30.fotki.com/v40/photos/1/1242899/5542976/_MG_1987-vi.jpg

[egordon99]

So this is the first shot :)
Sorry it is not much, but the weather outside is just terrible :/
I noticed that colors form this lens are very weird, they look very warm, and kinda desaturated (i shoot raw). Still it suit my style just perfect!
Noticed i small (about 1cm) inaccuracy during autofocus at minimum focusing distance - but thats not a big deal :) I might even be wrong!
Processed in lightroom
http://images30.fotki.com/v40/photos/1/1242899/5542976/_MG_1987-vi.jpg

GREAT shot! That's exactly the "look" from this lens that I love so much (shallow depth-of-field + "normal" FOV)

Weather is warming up over here, and I WAS going to take one of my longer zooms out to the park over the weekend, but maybe I'll bring the Sigma 30 ;)

[courier]

GREAT shot! That's exactly the "look" from this lens that I love so much (shallow depth-of-field + "normal" FOV)

Weather is warming up over here, and I WAS going to take one of my longer zooms out to the park over the weekend, but maybe I'll bring the Sigma 30 ;)

take both!

[egordon99]

take both!

Good answer! I have two bodies, but we now have a toddler who runs, so chasing him around with two bodies swinging around is a bit more difficult than when he was less mobile :)

[palaima]

egordon - thanks!

I agree, having this lens and a zoom is a very very very versatile combo :)

[X-Warrior]

Palaima, nice first shot :)

I really like the water in it.

[palaima]

Thanks! Even though i just took 10 shots with it, i LOVE it. The focus is just just just so lovable :D No sound...this thingy will take my street photography into a whole new world (happy)

[corey.b]

I just went to my local photography shop, they had one in stock. I tested it out, sadly it was back focusing a bit but the focusing was so fast it honestly shocked me, and the manual focus ring was so smooth and easy to use I didnt want to leave it. I was so excited using it that most of my shots were over/underexposed because I wasnt paying attention to the meter.

Ill be going back to check out the other one they had, hopefully it doesnt have any focusing problems and I could pick it up without running into problems :D

[AWGD8]

@2.8 no flash hand held.


http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2220/img6570.jpg (http://img189.imageshack.us/i/img6570.jpg/)

A bit of PP split- toned Yellow/Blue!

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/5350/img65022.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/i/img65022.jpg/)

[palaima]

So, here is another shot, wanted it to look a bit more film like, hope it worked
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4281136815_a13e746fe8_o.jpg

[Pauly_G]

A couple from this evening.....using the other end of the aperture range!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4282508178_904f97436e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4281763455_8fe11a511f_b.jpg

[rgs-]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4282104543_10187bf59d_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4282104133_3b9c64c44a_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4282103913_8b8441a459_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4243104599_173ce76d44_o.jpg

[AWGD8]

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/8432/mg66643.jpg (http://img192.imageshack.us/i/mg66643.jpg/)

[palaima]

^ That looks amazing!

[Morlow]

Last few sets are awesome!

[richierich1212]

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/767333716_YXAUm-L-1.jpg

[Simply Ravishing]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4282104133_3b9c64c44a_o.jpg






I saw these same rock stacks the last time I was up in Vancouver and thought about taking a similar shot, although it was night time when I was walking by. Good stuff =)

[rgs-]

thanks!

i thought it was rather fitting with the olympic village in the background there.

the city is littered with pictures of those rock formations haha

[Simply Ravishing]

I wasn't sure what they were all about. I just figured somebody must have gotten bored =0

[bjornli]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4288441326_75b9f2d00b.jpg
My dog "Dee-Dee", waiting for me to be finished with testing my new Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens.

ISO100, 30mm, f/1.4 - and a Canon 430EX II w/Cactus V4 into silver umbrella.

Got my lens over 1 week ago but have not had much time testing this lens. But it looks awesome so far ;)

(sorry if there is any bad english here, i don't write english that often)

[rgs-]

I wasn't sure what they were all about. I just figured somebody must have gotten bored =0

ya thats pretty much how them come about. in that area now, theres about 80 little rock towers all over the place. that guy must have been SUUUUPER bored

[NaKiD EyE]

new pup Remi...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4286426118_b4e5af40fc_o.jpg


100% crop

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4289133706_7f98f0d616_o.jpg

[Cassie]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4288441326_75b9f2d00b.jpg
My dog "Dee-Dee", waiting for me to be finished with testing my new Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens.

ISO100, 30mm, f/1.4 - and a Canon 430EX II w/Cactus V4 into silver umbrella.

Got my lens over 1 week ago but have not had much time testing this lens. But it looks awesome so far ;)

(sorry if there is any bad english here, i don't write english that often)

nice crisp/clean shot and a cute pup! mine would never sit still for a photo:rolleyes:

[palaima]

Actually it is nice to not see a cat :D
Cute dogs! Both are just spot on :)

[bjornli]

actually my dog is not a puppy, its a 3 year old miniatyre pincsher (or what its called in english)

[Cassie]

Oh, my bad! Nice Min Pin, lol

[JayStar86]

new pup Remi...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4286426118_b4e5af40fc_o.jpg


100% crop

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4289133706_7f98f0d616_o.jpg

damn now thats sharp! I am really lusting after this lens! It shall be my next lens once I have decided on a walk around lens first, lol.

[bjornli]

http://85.17.136.105/30mm/IMG_6984.jpg did a focus chart test, not sure if i nailed the 45 angle thing, but looks like my lens front-focuses a bit?


edit: better image here: http://85.17.136.105/30mm/focus_chart/IMG_6987_1280x1024.jpg

[S-S]

damn now thats sharp! I am really lusting after this lens! It shall be my next lens once I have decided on a walk around lens first, lol.

i use this as my walkaround lens lol
if i want reach as well then i take the 70-200 f/2.8L as well

[S-S]

http://85.17.136.105/30mm/IMG_6984.jpg did a focus chart test, not sure if i nailed the 45 angle thing, but looks like my lens front-focuses a bit?


edit: better image here: http://85.17.136.105/30mm/focus_chart/IMG_6987_1280x1024.jpg

testing these lenses at close quarters will not always reveal the fault (if it exists) because the error margin is very small up close

try shooting something (real-world) that's about 8 or more feet away and see if you can still nail the focus... if you can, then you've got a good one
(i am on my second copy myself, had it over a year now; first one went back after 2 weeks)

[courier]

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/MattPetley/IMG_2752-Edit.jpg

[rgs-]

i use this as my walkaround lens lol


same!

[corey.b]

I just picked up one of these! Awesome lens :D

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd266/goldninja101/sigma-2-1374.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd266/goldninja101/sigma-2-1363.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd266/goldninja101/sigma-2-1359.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd266/goldninja101/sigma-2-1358.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd266/goldninja101/sigma-2-1353.jpg

The only post processing was to fix Lens Distortion. Im VERY impressed by the sharpness of this lens :D

[NaKiD EyE]

damn now thats sharp! I am really lusting after this lens! It shall be my next lens once I have decided on a walk around lens first, lol.

thanks. it's a great little combo.

[corey.b]

Hey, Ive noticed that theres some notable problems with Chromatic aberration on my lens, is it normal?

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd266/goldninja101/sigma-day-1-0078-2.jpg
100% crop

You can notice it in the pictures I posted earlier, specifically the one with the catwalks. When the foreground is blurred, its pink/magenta/purple. When its in the background, its green/blue/cyan.

Should I get another copy? Will it be the same? Because I havent noticed any other pictures with it.

[NaKiD EyE]

looks like that on mine as well corey.

[corey.b]

Alright, load of my mind then :) Because I havent seen any other pictures here with it.
How do you all get rid of it so well? And I dont remember my starter 18-55mm 3.5-5 doing any of this :-/

[sethmo]

First outing with the Sigma. I need to do a focus test, I think mine is front focussing a bit :/
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f39/sethmo38/Randoms/IMG_3176.jpg

[snowshine]

Just got mine.
ISO 160 Shutter:1/250 f:1.4 Autofocused

What does the panel feel about focus?

[pridash]

^^^ It looks OOF to me. What was the focus point?

[snowshine]

^^^ It looks OOF to me. What was the focus point?

I attempted on the letters "MR".

Any critique would help me. {I would appreciate your suggestion & hints}

Regards

[snowshine]

This is taken
ISO 160 Shutter:1/125 f1/1.4

Auto focused with central point fixed to the brim of the mug.

[pridash]

I attempted on the letters "MR".

Any critique would help me. {I would appreciate your suggestion & hints}

Regards

Well in that case its def OOF!

This is taken
ISO 160 Shutter:1/125 f1/1.4

Auto focused with central point fixed to the brim of the mug.

This one looks much better, but its difficult to discern it for sure. Try taking a portrait (focussing on the eyes) - always a great way of checking focus - but also post a 100% crop.

You could also do a battery test to see for front/back focussing - that's certainly the first thing I did when I got a copy of this lens!

But, one thing to note though, at 1.4, it is so, so easy to tilt your body forward a touch that could render your subject out of focus - to ensure that isn't the case, mount it on a tripod first.

[richierich1212]

Yeah you'll need to use a tripod to eliminate movement.

[snowshine]

Well in that case its def OOF!



This one looks much better, but its difficult to discern it for sure. Try taking a portrait (focussing on the eyes) - always a great way of checking focus - but also post a 100% crop.

You could also do a battery test to see for front/back focussing - that's certainly the first thing I did when I got a copy of this lens!

But, one thing to note though, at 1.4, it is so, so easy to tilt your body forward a touch that could render your subject out of focus - to ensure that isn't the case, mount it on a tripod first.


To do a battery test:
Would you mind posting the shot here or suggest how to position the battery ?
Regards

[pridash]

To do a battery test:
Would you mind posting the shot here or suggest how to position the battery ?
Regards

Just line them, equidistant from each other and try taking the shot at roughly 45 degree angle, focussing on each battery seperately.

More info about focusing tests here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=511322).

[Tharaka]

i loved this lens, was such a great walkaround lens
focus would hunt quite a bit in low light, but other than that it was great

on a 5d1
iso3200 f/1.4
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4262734088_aae69fcb85_o.jpg

on a 50d

iso400 f/1.4
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4190087728_fbd25ee34a_o.jpg

iso800 f/1.4
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4189361751_3829f8dd04_o.jpg

[Ingardj]

^^ Are those cropped?

[Tharaka]

^^ Are those cropped?
to 16:9, yeah

[Ingardj]

to 16:9, yeah
Haha, i didnt even notice.. Still a bit tired from last night ;)

Do you have an uncropped sample? :)

[Tharaka]

http://i50.tinypic.com/30wl5xy.jpg

[palaima]

Those on 5d are very nice :)
And i am finally getting the hold of this lens, more DUCKS! Vicious animals... barely made it alive :D
http://images54.fotki.com/v1592/photos/1/1242899/5542976/_MG_2300-vi.jpg

http://images46.fotki.com/v1452/photos/1/1242899/5542976/_MG_2311-vi.jpg

[Tharaka]

haha, love the first photo
i had two ducks as pets when i was a kid
they would always come and bite your toes if you went outside without shoes on

[Hamfist]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4286013000_cf9fcdc506_b.jpg

Focus was on the tap facing me. 1/200, f1.4, ISO 200. I may have sharpened this a little but I can't recall. Purchased this second hand here at POTN and absolutely love this lens. When I shot with my A1 I only used the 50/1.8, having this lens on my 7d is wonderful. I rarely take it off.

[palaima]

haha, love the first photo
i had two ducks as pets when i was a kid
they would always come and bite your toes if you went outside without shoes on

Thanks! Yeah, they are funny creatures :) And this time they came VERY close, only the second image is slightly cropped :)

[pridash]

Those on 5d are very nice :)
And i am finally getting the hold of this lens, more DUCKS! Vicious animals... barely made it alive :D


Lovely shots!! Ducks always make me laugh! :D

[snowshine]

Uncropped. ISO:100 Shutter:1/30 f :1/1.4

Focused on the biscuits in the centre of the frame

[palaima]

Lovely shots!! Ducks always make me laugh! :D

Thanks! I am really enjoying it even though i found that at MFD it does backfocus... But it is not a problem, for such instances i always use manual, so it does not bother me :)

[corey.b]

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd266/goldninja101/sigma-day-2-0118-1.jpg

[Tharaka]

Uncropped. ISO:100 Shutter:1/30 f :1/1.4

Focused on the biscuits in the centre of the frame
you should check that yours isn't front focusing
does your body have af micro adjustment?

[snowshine]

you should check that yours isn't front focusing
does your body have af micro adjustment?

Hi Tharaka
Mine Canon 40d.
How do I find out if I have af microadjustment.?
What one should have in an ideal situation: I am not yet clear with front focus & backfocus.
Would you mind direct me to comprehend this to a link or other material.
I would appreciate your help.
Regards

[DStanic]

Hi Tharaka
Mine Canon 40d.
How do I find out if I have af microadjustment.?
What one should have in an ideal situation: I am not yet clear with front focus & backfocus.
Would you mind direct me to comprehend this to a link or other material.
I would appreciate your help.
Regards

40d does not have microadjustment. 50D and newer cameras (not including rebels) have it.

[snowshine]

Hello,
The ruler is positioned at about 45degrees to the plane of lens axis
[ISO:100 f1/1.4 shutter 1/60]

The face of the weighing scale is 135degrees to the plane of lens axis
ISO:100 f/1.4 shutter 1/50]

Camera was hand-held on the second photo

Is it too much front focus or DoF within the accepted limits?

Is there anyway to rectify this?

Regards

[pridash]

Hello,
The ruler is positioned at about 45degrees to the plane of lens axis
[ISO:100 f1/1.4 shutter 1/60]

The face of the weighing scale is 135degrees to the plane of lens axis
ISO:100 f/1.4 shutter 1/50]

Camera was hand-held on the second photo

Is it too much front focus or DoF within the accepted limits?

Is there anyway to rectify this?

Regards

Download a focus test chart here (http://www.focustestchart.com/focus10.pdf) and follow the instructions given.

If it is front/back focussing the only way to rectify it (since there is no MA on a 40D) is to send it Sigma for recalibration.

[KarlosDaJackal]

Hello,
The ruler is positioned at about 45degrees to the plane of lens axis
[ISO:100 f1/1.4 shutter 1/60]

The face of the weighing scale is 135degrees to the plane of lens axis
ISO:100 f/1.4 shutter 1/50]

Camera was hand-held on the second photo

Is it too much front focus or DoF within the accepted limits?

Is there anyway to rectify this?

Regards

The sample thread is really for samples, not for focus tests. Anyway can't tell anything from those pics without knowing where you actually focused. If you focused where I think you did the lens is fine.

Go into the main forum and look up how to do a lens test (battery test is quick and simple) and people take it as a given that you are focusing on the middle battery.

[snowshark13]

This is my favorite lens! I almost never take it off my camera now. :D

http://www.digitalsnowshark.com/PostPics/ada3014.jpg

http://www.digitalsnowshark.com/PostPics/ada3014bw.jpg

[Coppatop85]

Hello,
The ruler is positioned at about 45degrees to the plane of lens axis
[ISO:100 f1/1.4 shutter 1/60]

The face of the weighing scale is 135degrees to the plane of lens axis
ISO:100 f/1.4 shutter 1/50]

Camera was hand-held on the second photo

Is it too much front focus or DoF within the accepted limits?

Is there anyway to rectify this?

Regards

Can't really do an accurate focus test without a tripid + cable release (or timer)

[AWGD8]

I noticed this lens tends to get consistent sharp focusing @ 20 inches and beyond. It says minimum focusing distance is at 15.xx inches, but 20 above is a sweet distance!

[jptsr1]

This is my favorite lens! I almost never take it off my camera now. :D

http://www.digitalsnowshark.com/PostPics/ada3014.jpg

http://www.digitalsnowshark.com/PostPics/ada3014bw.jpg

gotta have one of those shirts!!!

[palaima]

So this time not duck but SWANS! ( yeah i'm progressing :D ) all at 2.8 and most of them are not cropped (the ones that are - just a tiny bit to remove some unwanted space :) )
Oh yeah, may someone comment on the colors? It went through hell to make this look...does it look good?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4310792419_5111cb2cbd_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4311530378_f9152bac57_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4310791885_00b4be3275_o.jpg

Cheers,
P.P.

[Gab1707]

Got the lens yesterday and today I went out first thing to find some ducks!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/blacksmurf/IMG_2157.jpg

[MackDaddy1962]

Test shot wide open on the new 7D:

http://images28.fotki.com/v1026/photos/2/17642/8410546/IMG_0045-vi.jpg

[richierich1212]

Nice Shot Mack Daddy. I think I see icicles, lol.

[MackDaddy1962]

Thanks RR1212, and yes it got up to a blistering 22deg F yesterday here in central Ohio! Ha!!

[Hamfist]

Are you sure that's wide open? At 1.4 I'd think that the dof is much shallower to allow the nearest corner of the car to be in focus along with front left quarter panel. Plus, at 1.4 I'd think the houses in the background would be much more blurred. If that is indeed at 1.4 then mine is severely f'ed up.

Just a couple thoughts...

[MackDaddy1962]

I just checked EXIF data again, it's f/1.4

[Hamfist]

Now I'm all bummed out...

[Dr.Pete]

I'm trying to figure out why I got rid of this lens...

Oh, wait, I remember-- 30mm was just a little too wide for me. I was really in the subjects' faces to get good baby/dog shots, so I'm trying a 50mm prime. This lens was very high quality, though--just didn't fit what I wanted to do.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4319360190_9d7d8aa199_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4319359492_87eb53b9e9_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4319358766_cb65571be6_b.jpg

[MackDaddy1962]

Don't be bummed, this lens is going back to Sigma for calibration (it's not consistent for me.) I planned on this anyway, so no big deal..

Here's a shot at f/2

http://images41.fotki.com/v195/photos/2/17642/8410546/IMG_0056-vi.jpg

[Hamfist]

I just replicated your shot and it's identical. Haven't shot enough with it yet to know any different. How do you like your 50? I think that or the Toke 11-16 is my next.

[MackDaddy1962]

I just replicated your shot and it's identical. Haven't shot enough with it yet to know any different. How do you like your 50? I think that or the Toke 11-16 is my next.

The EX 50/1.4 is king. No doubt about it...

I was going to go Tokina 11-16/2.8 too, but opted for a really versatile Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS. Everyone who has it sings praise. I've got the 17-40L because I was going to go full frame 5DMkII, but opted to go 7D crop instead. If the 15-85 is as good as everyone states, the 17-40L is the next one I'll put on the auction block.

Here's a few Sigma EX 50/1.4 samples from my 50D..

http://public.fotki.com/mackdaddy/lens-testing-ground/sigma-50mm-f14/

[KarlosDaJackal]

Are you sure that's wide open? At 1.4 I'd think that the dof is much shallower to allow the nearest corner of the car to be in focus along with front left quarter panel. Plus, at 1.4 I'd think the houses in the background would be much more blurred. If that is indeed at 1.4 then mine is severely f'ed up.

Just a couple thoughts...

Aperture is just one of 3 things that can affect DOF, might be worth learning about the other 2 ;)

[Candiness]

Aperture is just one of 3 things that can affect DOF, might be worth learning about the other 2 ;)

The DOF is determined by the subject distance (that is, the distance to the plane that is perfectly in focus), the lens focal length, the lens f-number, and the format size or circle of confusion criterion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field

[KarlosDaJackal]

The DOF is determined by the subject distance (that is, the distance to the plane that is perfectly in focus), the lens focal length, the lens f-number, and the format size or circle of confusion criterion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field

Maybe that link makes something pretty straight forward seem overly complex...

Well the format size is pretty much a constant with this lens as it only performs properly on a 1.6x sensor, people don't really change format all that often to change the DOF they want. Not saying they can't but no many people have a P+S and crop SLR and 35mm SLR and MF and Large Format camera lying around. Another constant with this lens is the focal length as it is with all primes ;)

So that leaves us aperture, focus distance and subject distance, but we could combine the last 2 distance measures and focal length and call them magnification to simplify it further. (get close with feet or zoom, then focus close = less dof, get futher away with feet or go wider, then focus futher away = more dof) :cool:

It always annoys me when people think f/2.8 is thin DOF, thats too simple, maybe on a 200mm lens doing a close-up it is, but on a 11mm lens doing a landscape its actually pretty thick DOF. As Einstein said "Make things as simple as possible, but not simpler." The wiki link is over complex, just looking at aperture is too simple. Aperture and Magnification is a happy balance :D

[palaima]

To much talk about things that don't really matter! :D
f 1.6
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4310793447_d97c9c21d2_o.jpg

Cheers,
Paulius

[MackDaddy1962]

Awesome Paulius!!

[GregSteer]

bw! - That is simple brilliant, made me giggle, appreciate the shot and giggle again!

To much talk about things that don't really matter! :D
f 1.6
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4310793447_d97c9c21d2_o.jpg

Cheers,
Paulius

[richierich1212]

Awesome shot Paulius. Trained pigeon??? j/k

[bexamous]

That is a ridiculously awesome photo.

[DStanic]

Freakin amazing !! bw!

[palaima]

wow :D Thanks all!
The pigeon is all natural :D

[Tortie]

Palaima, that is one amazing shot. Talk about nailing focus.. Beautiful!

I'm on the hunt for one of these bad boys.

[palaima]

Tortie - and here i was, honestly believing that mine had a focus issue!
And HSM is just a joy. I've got mine from here, try to post in "section", should work :)

[Tortie]

I think you can stop worrying that it has focusing issues, ha. This will be my first lens with HSM and I can't even begin to imagine how quick it's going to be (although with your shot, I'm even more mind-blown). I have posted a "WTB" thread, so we shall see, thank you.

[AWGD8]

Tortie - and here i was, honestly believing that mine had a focus issue!
And HSM is just a joy. I've got mine from here, try to post in "section", should work :)


Are you sure that pigeon were flying and not levitating? Nailing that focus got me thinking if that was a descendant of David Blane...:lol:

[palaima]

^lol
hmmm come to think of it, it turned into a cloud of cards! :D

[benee]

Self Portrait F2.2 1/40th ISO 400

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4319729397_b491b9dd2d.jpg

[AzzKicker]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4320833370_41e76d446b_o.jpg

[DStanic]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4320833370_41e76d446b_o.jpg



nice shot, mind sharing your lighting setup?

[AzzKicker]

nice shot, mind sharing your lighting setup?


Just used a Genesis 200 Light Kit from calumetphoto.com and placed it camera left. I have a Botero Black Collapsible background.

That was pretty much it.

[Elisha]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4327215076_19afe4c250_b.jpg

[Elisha]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4326455763_8262083881_b.jpg

[Elisha]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4327717867_430d5e55b0_b.jpg

[bjornli]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4327908236_68ccdd0892.jpg
i am trying to figure out if my 30mm 1.4 have focus problems, i think it is much more problematic when im shooting indoors at low light situations (sorry if bad english)

[JayStar86]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4327717867_430d5e55b0_b.jpg

nice... i like this shot a lot.

[Tortie]

nice... i like this shot a lot.
I agree. The focus on the eye sets a mood. I think the increased sharpening works in this photo. Well done.

[Elisha]

Thanks guys. Here's another of him...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4328529178_4c25267b13_b.jpg

[AzzKicker]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4327717867_430d5e55b0_b.jpg

Is that a Miniature Aussie? Looks exactly like my dog.


Nevermind... Saw the other pics.

[Elisha]

Is that a Miniature Aussie? Looks exactly like my dog.


Nevermind... Saw the other pics.

Yeah he is. But on the bigger side though!

[esu2004]

Is your cat Scotish fold?