Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro

[grizzy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/erykv1/17.jpg


E r y k,

As always great composition and pp'ing.

Did you use some sort of warming grad or did you use a filter in ps?

[Vitruvius]

Woo, lens is in the mail! Should hopefully get here by Saturday.

[Nick_C]

Woo, lens is in the mail! Should hopefully get here by Saturday.

Good news!

You will love the sharpness,

Nick :-)

[90blackcrx]

Woo, lens is in the mail! Should hopefully get here by Saturday.

Have shot about 20 shots, nothing major because I'm to busy with work. I'm liking it very much

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/90blackcrx/0ab1c928.jpg

[Souwalker]

I picked up this one off of ebay
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/bckane/IMG_2837.jpg

Do you have the ebay link?
Thanks
Pat

[Gluck]

I took only this lens with me on my vacation to San Francisco and Napa valley, took about 800 photos. Very please with this lens

http://jmorgan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p103031529.jpg

[willy b]

i thought i may as well pop some on

1http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9844-1.jpg


100% crop
2http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/cropblood-1.jpg

macro
3http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9868.jpg

4http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/cropinsect.jpg

others
5http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9520.jpg

6http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9514.jpg

7http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9500.jpg

8http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9608.jpg

[willy b]

9http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9251.jpg

10http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9212.jpg

11http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9201.jpg

12http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9189.jpg

13http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9168.jpg

14http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9195.jpg

15http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9158.jpg

16http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9101.jpg

[bckane]

Do you have the ebay link?
Thanks
Pat
http://cgi.ebay.com/72mm-Clip-in-Snap-on-Cap-for-Canon-EOS-Lens-Hood-Filter_W0QQitemZ150145083521QQihZ005QQcategoryZ790 02QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[e r y k]

E r y k,

As always great composition and pp'ing.

Did you use some sort of warming grad or did you use a filter in ps?

thanks :)

well this was shot around sunset so the light was mostly golden, but i did take the dropper tool and sample some of the nice gold color, then made a sperate gradient layer (on the top right corner) and overlayed it some more so the gold/orange hue was a little more pronounced.

-edit- i just looked at your virgin islands gallery... and all i can say is wow.

[angryhampster]

does anyone know if you can use Kenko extension tubes with this lens? If so, that'll probably seal the deal for me.



You can use them, but you will never be able to focus :)

You could get a set of screw-on macro diopters from ebay. I got a set for $30 last year, and I actually got pretty damn nice images with my 24-70 with them. They're just big magnifying glasses that go on the end of your lens. They increase magnification and shorten minimum focusing distance, but not as much as tubes do.

Short of a telephoto, you won't be able to use tubes on a zoom lens and get good results.

[willy b]

Wrong! I use extension tubes with mine, 13mm and 20mm i think. The fly and hoverfly were taken with extension tubes on!

Focusing isn't an issue, it all works fine, just if your not carful you can hit the front glass lol

[Nick_C]

Wrong! I use extension tubes with mine, 13mm and 20mm i think. The fly and hoverfly were taken with extension tubes on!

Focusing isn't an issue, it all works fine, just if your not carful you can hit the front glass lol

Yes tubes will work on the 17-70 but the MFD comes down quite a lot.

Nick :-)

[joseb552]

woohoo! my 17-70 just came back from recalibration at Sigma HQ, and wowzers!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1411/920900657_a373982d8b.jpg

and 100% crop
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1260/921753504_8b5c873d47.jpg

man, this thing got a whole lot sharper after being recalibrated!

[Gluck]

Wrong! I use extension tubes with mine, 13mm and 20mm i think. The fly and hoverfly were taken with extension tubes on!

Focusing isn't an issue, it all works fine, just if your not carful you can hit the front glass lol

I was just going to ask if that was with tubes! No was that was straight lens! Nice shots BTW

[madhatter04]

That's it, I'm finally sending mine in for a recalibration and a possible backfocus issue. Off to buy a box and a new brakelight! ;)

[e r y k]

how are you guys determining if you need a "calibration" or not? is it obivious that the lens isnt producing good pictures?

[joseb552]

how are you guys determining if you need a "calibration" or not? is it obivious that the lens isnt producing good pictures?


While I was happy with the results from my 17-70 at first, i had always seen photos taken @ f/9 and thought that mine were never as sharp as what i saw in this thread, but i was happy so i let it slide, then came a point where i needed to rent a lens for a Baptism i was shooting, so since i wouldn't be needing my 17-70, i sent it off to get a "check-up" as well as to get tightened to fix the zoom-creep.

I'll be honest, from what i've seen so far from the lens after calibration, i should have done it a long time ago, it's MUCH sharper @ f/9 now. I'm going to replicate some shots (before / after) tomorrow and post the differences, i'm sure they'll be much sharper now.

[madhatter04]

Thanks for doing that, joseb552! My story is the same. I was wonderfully happy with the lens, then noticed it wasn't nearly as sharp as the ones on here, and I began to notice my landscapes were very soft and macros seemed backfocused and soft. So, I'm sending it in. At the very least, the zoom needs a bit of tightening.

[e r y k]

id send mine back, only cause of the zoom creeping... i think my copy is sharp.

but then again, the zoom will loosen up again so its kinda pointless :(

[rohicks]

My lens came in today ... love it!
Here is my contribution.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1269/922760091_bae2063847_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1314/922760077_07ab15158d_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1090/923558334_7ced1faa23_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1170/923558308_1715d6fbca_o.jpg

[stenchlord]

The Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro was my learning lens. It's what I had up until recently till I sold it. It was the lens I used to start off my photography semi-seriously.

Images in larger size here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnstengordphotography/

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/209/492381240_ff084080b5.jpg?v=0 http://farm1.static.flickr.com/210/492381260_6163753361.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/225/492381262_572bdb7891.jpg?v=0 http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/492381264_160f313ced.jpg?v=0 http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1374/786400888_a8fdc7e0f1.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1202/542449757_bac4d1e550.jpg?v=0 http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1016/542419589_7a0ed29ed9.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/213/492381268_0238e1813d.jpg?v=0

[240dreams]

^wow. I want this lens now.

[olly_k]

Wrong! I use extension tubes with mine, 13mm and 20mm i think. The fly and hoverfly were taken with extension tubes on!

Focusing isn't an issue, it all works fine, just if your not carful you can hit the front glass lol

I thought that hover looked a tiny bit too good.

[90blackcrx]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/90blackcrx/552ec897.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/90blackcrx/4e5f607b.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/90blackcrx/79b3299f.jpg

[grizzy]

thanks :)

-edit- i just looked at your virgin islands gallery... and all i can say is wow.


Thanks! Feels good coming from someone who's work I admire.

[willy b]

I thought that hover looked a tiny bit too good.

lol Yeh i find it actually works well with tubes

A few more

1http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9280.jpg

2http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9300.jpg

3http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9304.jpg

4http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9146.jpg

5http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9078.jpg

6http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9044.jpg

7http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9035.jpg

8http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9024.jpg

[willy b]

few more for now

9http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9046.jpg

10http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9033.jpg

11http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9029.jpg

[JiggyNS]

That's it, I'm finally sending mine in for a recalibration and a possible backfocus issue. Off to buy a box and a new brakelight! ;)

How does this work? Do you have to pay sigma for the recalibration?

Do I need the original receipt? My lens is from the US but I'm in Canada. Is there a Sigma repair place in Canada?

...here's one of my shots, so that I'm atleast contributing

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1304/950412593_4084974afd_o.jpg

[willy b]

Nice shot Jiggy

[madhatter04]

Jiggy,
I just shipped my box to the Sigma HQ in New York. I included a copy of the original receipt, a copy of the warranty card, and the sigma service request form.
http://www.sigma-photo.com/sigmaonlinemall/ebay_service.asp

Can't wait to use it when it gets back!

[e r y k]

hum... if i bought a grey market lens, am i still warrantied under the US for a year?

[JiggyNS]

Nice shot Jiggy

thx willy.
wish i had a remote tho, would've cought more cars if I had more than 30 seconds of exposure.

[e r y k]

jiggyNS theres always bulb mode :) but it would probably induce camera shake.

[JiggyNS]

i'll have to look into the whole deal more since i dont have the original receipt.

[Vitruvius]

Woo! Just got mine in today, I'll have to take it for a spin tomorrow and see how it goes.

[Nick_C]

Woo! Just got mine in today, I'll have to take it for a spin tomorrow and see how it goes.

You should see quite an improvement over the kit lens I see you own.

Nick :-)

[ahh]

Unfortunately, my lens has a back foucs issue and it is quite bad. Will have to replace it. Here is a pic of the test. Lens was on tripod, remote release.

http://www.ahabib1.btinternet.co.uk/pics/FocusTest.jpg

This image was manually focused, the next one was AF. Point of foucs was on the "United States" in the centre
http://www.ahabib1.btinternet.co.uk/pics/MFTest.jpg

http://www.ahabib1.btinternet.co.uk/pics/AFTest.jpg

[Ospi]

Welcome to the club.

[Nick_C]

That is a very bad back focus problem!

Nick :-)

[bckane]

Ok UPS dropped off my Sigma 17-70 yesterday. Been raining all day today so took a few pictures in my lightbox...... Lens is very sharp....loving it
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/bckane/atiboard.jpg

100% Crop
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/bckane/100atiboard.jpg

[e r y k]

ahh - how did u come to do the test? were your pictures that you were taking regularly not up to your expectations? or did you just test of backfocusing randomly and found out?

im afraid to do a focus test, but im fairly satisfied with my photos. i guess its better that i dont know

[bckane]

I did mind dont look to bad

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a276/bckane/test.jpg

[Nick_C]

Mine is sold now but that test was the first thing I did, infact its the first or second thing I do when buying a new lens, mine was also spot on.

Its a shame there are bad copies around, but I guess with the sheer volume of sales they cant check each & every one.

Nick :-)

[ahh]

Well, I hope to exchange the lens next week, but I think I will do the test in the shop rather than waiting to get home.

Eryk, I had the impression that my images were not coming out as good as what I have become used to seeing in this thread, so I tried the back focus test and found out that there was an issue. But, as they say... If it ain't broke, don't fix it. :)

[JiggyNS]

jiggyNS theres always bulb mode :smile: but it would probably induce camera shake.

I thought that was a given so i didn't bother mentioning.

[grizzy]

Did the focus test this weekend...everything came up spot on. Guess I got a sharp copy.

I'll post it when I get back in town.

[brettjrob]

I've had my copy for going on half a year now, and have yet to decide whether it's worth sending in for re-calibration. I pulled out the tripod and printed off the test sheet again tonight, and the results are the same as before: there seems to be a *slight* backfocus problem throughout the focal range. Attached is a shot at 70mm f/4.5 - it appears the focus is on or near the 2mm mark behind the center line, which is not too bad, but not ideal of course.

Almost all my shots with this lens are landscapes or other outdoor shots with the focus at/near infinity, so it's difficult to judge whether this slight inaccuracy is having a visible effect on my shots.

[madhatter04]

I'd say it's time to send the lens in when you begin noticing the quality of your photos going down. Mine was only $10 to ship it to Sigma HQ in New York. Can't wait to get it back and see what it can do at 100% :)

[e r y k]

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_9868.jpg

4http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/cropinsect.jpg



wow o.o is this lens only? or did u have some close up filters?

[stenchlord]

I think I remember someone saying it was with extension tubes.

[willy b]

Yeh those 2 were withextension tubes, think that then makes it around 1:1 ratio :)

Thanks

[willy b]

1http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_0270.jpg

2http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_0254.jpg

3http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_0253.jpg

4http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_0241.jpg

5http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_0229.jpg

[willy b]

No tubes, no crop, nothing, straight out, thought it came out well!

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_0198.jpg

[IB///M]

just got mine a week ago, and here's a few better ones i took :)

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2469.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2549.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2278.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2308.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2421.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2292.jpg

[willy b]

just got mine a week ago, and here's a few better ones i took :)

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2469.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2549.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2278.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2308.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2421.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x309/Q_Jim/IMG_2292.jpg

I just see red boxes, with Xs in, sorry

[stenchlord]

I don't...

[rohicks]

Where do you guys print off the focus test?
I'd like to test mine seeing as i got it last week.
My photos look to be good, but it's worth a shot to see if it does have the problem as well.

[willy b]

I can see the pics now, i would also like a focus test sheet. Be good to know

[e r y k]

willy b - do you have a polarizer on your lens? your skies are veeerrry blue! i like it.

as for a focus chart, just google it really quick, it should be on a nikon PDF, but it works fine with canons.

[willy b]

I don't:( However they sky reall;y was almost this blue, i have just upped the contast a little, and upped saturation a little, i do stress a little.

[e r y k]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/erykv1/varsity/IMG_4509.jpg

my fav pic from todays car meet :)

[willy b]

Nice pic Eryk.

[plumers]

First attempt doing night photoshoot

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/plumers/er0033.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/plumers/er0035.jpg

[IB///M]

Where do you guys print off the focus test?
I'd like to test mine seeing as i got it last week.
My photos look to be good, but it's worth a shot to see if it does have the problem as well.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=354479

there are quite a few tests here that you can download. the focus test one is from a Nikon forum, I believe, but still good to use, haha

just make sure your camera is pointing at the target right at 45 degree

[willy b]

I find that in low light and slow shutter speeds mine is brilliant, and the pictures are still sharp, and don't suffer from camera shake much. Almost as if it has a IS thingy lol.

It is 10x the lens that the kit lens is!

[Nick_C]

It is 10x the lens that the kit lens is!

I know!, thats why I cant understand why reviews compare it to the kit lens, I mean its in another league, its just as sharp as my L lens, or at least my copy was, sold it now as ive gone FF.

Nick :-)

[willy b]

I know!, thats why I cant understand why reviews compare it to the kit lens, I mean its in another league, its just as sharp as my L lens, or at least my copy was, sold it now as ive gone FF.

Nick :-)

Sounds like reviews need to be reviewed! :rolleyes:

[jim9449]

Took the lens out today to round six of the Northern Ireland rally championship, it preformed well.

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/180394120-L.jpg

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/180395300-L.jpg

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/180394300-L.jpg

[Jetjoint]

Just got my 17-70. Here is one of mine..............

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/4810/cartopostqj3.jpg

[e r y k]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/erykv1/IMG_4631a.jpg

just another changaroo outing :)

[willy b]

Yes Eryk, that shot is stunning!

Jim your rally photos look spot on! number 2 does it for me

[e r y k]

hehe thanks willy :)

shot all day today... my legs are so dead. and im burnt to a crisp.

one more for today, im calling it quits. need my sleep :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/erykv1/IMG_4670.jpg

[willy b]

Eryk, again that is another cracker! Might make it better if the buliding wasn't there, but ah well!

[Nick_C]

Nice shots Eryk, especially the girl, but thats just me perving :-p lol

Nick :-)

[e r y k]

Eryk, again that is another cracker! Might make it better if the buliding wasn't there, but ah well!

:) i totally agree with you on the building! still need to work on the whole composition thing i guess. i never realize these things till later :(

Nice shots Eryk, especially the girl, but thats just me perving :-p lol

Nick :-)

thanks Nick :) she pretty much made the pictures... haha. Very easy model to work with.

[Nick_C]

:) i totally agree with you on the building! still need to work on the whole composition thing i guess. i never realize these things till later :(



thanks Nick :) she pretty much made the pictures... haha. Very easy model to work with.

More please! :cool:

Nick :-)

[e r y k]

heres a giant pano :P, your eye candy for the day. she looks kinda funny on the bikes cause it was like 102 outside so u can imagine how hot it was... you know.

http://changaroo.com/images/grouppano.jpg

im not gonna directly link it since its like 2500pixels across... the original was like 12000 :S

[Nick_C]

Thats what I call eye candy ;-)

Nick :-)

[MikeLindsey]

Just placed order.

[Vitruvius]

http://www.half-lime.com/uploads5/37848779846b63111e975b-p.jpg (http://www.half-lime.com/ntlemon/miscellaneous/71119527646b63113947ef)

w/ CPL
http://www.half-lime.com/uploads5/32367563046b6311a3547f-p.jpg (http://www.half-lime.com/ntlemon/miscellaneous/213130631246b6311a855c5)

[e r y k]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/erykv1/iaouting/IMG_4743.jpg

god i love this lens... i had my 50mm on me the whole time for portrait/model shots, but i just kept the 17-70 on and it has produced pics almost on the same level as the 50mm.

[rohicks]

After using the lens for nearly 3 weeks now i got some more experience with it and here is some more shots from me.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1267/1023793241_f646704f7f_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1210/1025733746_d2f950af3d_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1386/1023793361_f8d7c90f03_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1118/1023793365_b85508e2f9_o.jpg

[Nick_C]

For a moment there I saw the little boy with your name underneath & thought to myself, "DAMN your so young & getting great results" lol..

Nice wedding shots,

Nick :-)

[e r y k]

wow ryan, those are some really nice shots from the 17-70! i love number 2.
---

Nick, its time to feed your eyes again :P

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/erykv1/IMG_4656.jpg

[Nick_C]

wow ryan, those are some really nice shots from the 17-70! i love number 2.
---

Nick, its time to feed your eyes again :P



haha, ahh yes, those shots are always welcome ;)

Nick :-)

[madhatter04]

So many nice images. Mine is at Sigma, getting all fixed up. What is usually the length of time they keep the lens for calibration?

[tekkie]

wow skill those are some amazing pics

[pduk]

This is my first ever post here! I got my 17-70 last week and I love it so far. So much better than the kit lens, though I'm pleased I used the kit one for a few months before upgrading, while getting used to the camera itself.

I'm so impressed with the Sigma quality that I ordered the 70-200mm F2.8 as well, which came yesterday, and I'm looking forward to using that at concerts and the like.

Paul.
http://www.mistlethrush.co.uk/IMG_0832.jpg

[Ospi]

So many awesome shots in here.

Got it out for the first time in a long time today:

http://ospi.smugmug.com/photos/181302102-O.jpg

http://ospi.smugmug.com/photos/181302194-O.jpg

[Dan_S]

Nice shots, cool dog.

[rohicks]

wow skill those are some amazing pics
thanks !

[Medic85]

Here are some more of mine.


http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3686422&postcount=1096

[kennys350d]

this is a little OT but you guys own the lens: anyone having problems fitting a "sunpack" (got one @ bestbuy) 72mm filter on the sig? if so, let me know.

[e r y k]

i dont hve problems fitting filters on, but i have a tough time taking them off :( i dont know why. its not like im screwing it on super tight either.

[gravy graffix]

sometimes a shoe string wrapped around it and pinched will work, trick is to get even pressure all the way around.

[Nick_C]

i dont hve problems fitting filters on, but i have a tough time taking them off :( i dont know why. its not like im screwing it on super tight either.

I find the harder you grip them the tougher they are to get off, I dont wack mine up either, I just do them up until they bite, when you try removing one next time, try not to squeeze too much & you will find they come off easier.

Nick :-)

[grizzy]

My little dude taken this weekend:

http://cwwayne.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p854952313-3.jpg

[grinchy]

Here is 1 I took today at the Bucs Training Camp:

http://i.pbase.com/o6/79/734079/1/83586524.eODzowv6._MG_2302.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/grinchy247/image/83586524

here is the exif data:

Date/Time 08-Aug-2007 10:53:16
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 30D
Flash Used No
Focal Length 70 mm
Exposure Time 1/250 sec
Aperture f/5.6
ISO Equivalent 100
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Mode average (1)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program aperture priority (3)
Focus Distance


other sizes: small medium large original





sorry pic is so big....

and here are the rest for anybody interested:
http://www.pbase.com/grinchy247/bucs_training_camp

[grizzy]

wow...Garcia looks rough...unfortunately he'll have that look often on Sunday afternoons.

sharp pic though!

[Eagle]

Here's one from today, as well as a 100% crop.

[Eagle]

Swapped between the 17-70 siggy and the 100-400L at the zoo today.

[grinchy]

wow...Garcia looks rough...unfortunately he'll have that look often on Sunday afternoons.

sharp pic though!


:lol:...I agree...still loving my 17-70 though...

[da_teacher]

wow...Garcia looks rough...unfortunately he'll have that look often on Sunday afternoons.

sharp pic though!

Now all you need is to get a picture of his wife!

[grinchy]

Now all you need is to get a picture of his wife!


wish I could have seen her there..:)

[e r y k]

i love this lens... i havent used anything else since.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/erykv1/NSX/IMG_4863.jpg

[Mediation]

Hey i just purchased this lens today. Initially i was not happy with my shots. They looked soft. After some advice on another forum i have realised that auto focus on this lens is very bad. But when it does get it right it produces sharp images.

(Auto focus)

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9449/img0940mp2.jpg

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/6857/img0943aa9.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/935/img0966vm8.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/2927/img0920it0.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/7976/img0933do9.jpg

Macro (Manual focus)
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/8605/img1012ny6.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1522/img1017sg6.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/8422/img1020yb5.jpg

Thoughts? ive done the tests and this lens does not have a back blur problem. I just feel that the auto focus is very sporadic.

[Mediation]

I love this lens :)

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/884/img1027zp1.jpg

[jptsr1]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/jptsr1/DPPP_0171-1.jpg

J.

[Geoff_Shawcross]

This lens is great. I bought mine to replace my kit lens, and I think I got my moneys worth.

Here are a few pictures I took at the Calgary Zoo in early June while I was at the Southern Alberta POTN Meet. There was only some minor PP done to the photos.

http://shawcross.smugmug.com/photos/171862506-L.jpg

http://shawcross.smugmug.com/photos/171863252-L.jpg

http://shawcross.smugmug.com/photos/172027209-L.jpg

[Moppie]

Hey i just purchased this lens today. Initially i was not happy with my shots. They looked soft.


Hey another Kiwi!
(I can recognise Mission bay in the 2nd shot, and the first shot is pretty obvious too).

Where did you get the lens from?
Sigma does all of its servicing out of Ausie, so if it does have a problem then you might be with out for a few weeks, or it might be worth asking for a replacement.

If your in Auckland we can easily meet somewhere and try each other lenses, I know mine is spot on, so we should be able to tell quickly if yours is good or not.


Also check out the members activities forums for GKPE threads, theres more than a few other Kiwis floating around here :)

[X-Warrior]

Heya there, nice pics (excuse me if I haven't gone through all 88 pages).

This 17-70 was my starter lens for when I bought my 400D - didn't bother with kitlenses as I heard bad things about them.

Anyway, here's some of the early images I made, straight from the camera, resized only:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~dplas/pics/potn/IMG_0394.jpg

http://www.xs4all.nl/~dplas/pics/potn/IMG_0406.jpg

http://www.xs4all.nl/~dplas/pics/potn/IMG_0420.jpg

http://www.xs4all.nl/~dplas/pics/potn/IMG_0493.jpg

(they were shot in the Keukenhof by the way).

You'll find more on my website: http://www.dvdpimages.com - should be easy enough to recognise the lens by it's focal length, and in anything but some specials I've mentioned which I used. For some reason I've neglected to put the above pictures on my homepage...

[Mediation]

Hey another Kiwi!
(I can recognise Mission bay in the 2nd shot, and the first shot is pretty obvious too).

Where did you get the lens from?
Sigma does all of its servicing out of Ausie, so if it does have a problem then you might be with out for a few weeks, or it might be worth asking for a replacement.

If your in Auckland we can easily meet somewhere and try each other lenses, I know mine is spot on, so we should be able to tell quickly if yours is good or not.


Also check out the members activities forums for GKPE threads, theres more than a few other Kiwis floating around here :)

Yip :) i brought it second hand from trademe. I use the gameplanet forums. Photography section.

Are you all using Manual focus??

[grizzy]

I use manual occasionaly. I use it a lot on macro shots.

[Geoff_Shawcross]

I use both manual and auto-focus. It all depends on what I'm shooting, the light, etc. Sometimes I just find I get the the focus I want easier by doing it manually. All three of my shots above were done manually.

[JiggyNS]

My sigma works wonders in my anti-gravity backyard :lol:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1077/1076178996_421eb432b2_o.jpg


... he gets tired then finds a nice spot to relax

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1073/1075292733_7783f7b528_b.jpg

[Moppie]

Yip :) i brought it second hand from trademe. I use the gameplanet forums. Photography section.

Are you all using Manual focus??

I saw that lens, looked pretty tidy.

I AF 99% of the time, manual for close focus work.

[willy b]

Love the shot and the caption Jiggy for the first shot!

[madhatter04]

*convulses*
Mine is still at Sigma. I do hope it comes back soon because I'd love to do some shooting before Summer ends and I'm back in school.

[JiggyNS]

Love the shot and the caption Jiggy for the first shot!

Thanks, the photo doesn't show off the lens' ability (its kinda blurry) but I couldn't resist posting the image.

[willy b]

1http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_0292.jpg

2http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/crop-2.jpg

3http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_0304.jpg

4http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_0308.jpg

5http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/IMG_0324.jpg

6http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/pano2small.jpg

7http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o288/willyb_photo/pano1small.jpg

[grizzy]

Love the sharpness:

http://cwwayne.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p118124618-3.jpg

And a 100% crop:
http://cwwayne.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p416050477-3.jpg

[grizzy]

Nice shots Willy...love the 2 landscapes...polarizer on those?

[Nick_C]

Nice shots Willy...love the 2 landscapes...polarizer on those?

Doubt it as you cant use a CPL on panoramics very well.

Nick :-)

[e r y k]

im gonna say yes a polarizer was used, because the sky shows a slight gradient going sideways.

[grizzy]

Also, a cpl really makes the gray bottom of a thunder cloud pop like in #6.

[Nick_C]

Panoramics shouldnt really be used in conjunction with a CPL, it can lead to all sorts of problems, with the sky changing in colour/exposure as you rotate the camera on the pano head, better to leave them off.

[willy b]

Well hear i'll settle teh argument, no filters used. Picture is as it came out of camera, well apart from the obvious stitching together, and sorting out some of the areas where it needed to be cloned. Ow yeh, i did up the contrast and saturation a little;)

Cheers all!

[Nick_C]

Well hear i'll settle teh argument, no filters used. Picture is as it came out of camera, well apart from the obvious stitching together, and sorting out some of the areas where it needed to be cloned. Ow yeh, i did up the contrast and saturation a little;)

Cheers all!

Yay! I was right :D lol

[e r y k]

how do u get skies that blue w/o a polarizer! mine arent even that blue with one :S

[astayton]

I love that lens. I need to get out and play with mine more.

Good shots.

[mikeyb]

Not really had much chance to use my new Sigma 17-70 Macro, so thought I'd take it along to our game at our home course yesterday as the weather was superb. None of them technically brilliant but just thought I'd show off the results with my new lens and maybe embarass my partners at the same time :D

Ian, 5th Tee
http://mikeyb.smugmug.com/photos/182387791-L.jpg


Dad, 5th Tee
http://mikeyb.smugmug.com/photos/182389495-L.jpg


Looking back towards the 5th Tee
http://mikeyb.smugmug.com/photos/182405754-L.jpg


Ian's Approach at the 5th
http://mikeyb.smugmug.com/photos/182388534-L.jpg


The 5th Green
http://mikeyb.smugmug.com/photos/182409105-L.jpg


The 8th
http://mikeyb.smugmug.com/photos/182390944-L.jpg


Dad, 12th Fairway
http://mikeyb.smugmug.com/photos/182392787-L.jpg

PP'd them in Lightroom this time ( I usually just use Picasa 2 ), all of them have a Polarising filter fitted to the lens which results in the luscious blue skies.

Mike.

[Nick_C]

how do u get skies that blue w/o a polarizer! mine arent even that blue with one :S

Sometimes it depends on the type of day it is, so far ive had nothing but the deepest of blue on my skies & I havent got a CPL yet.

If you shoot raw, try processing the image in DPP twice, adjust the exposure down a little for the sky & select the "Daylight" WB, then the "Landscape" style, your skies will be brilliant blue, then process it again so the foreground is nice, merge both together & voila, perfect results from an otherwise bland sky.

[grizzy]

Nick,

Got any before and after examples using this technique? I use Elements to process my raw.

Chris

[DerekPb]

awesome photos.
btw anyone want to buy a sigma 17-70 310 shipped paypal

[Nick_C]

Nick,

Got any before and after examples using this technique? I use Elements to process my raw.

Chris

I would gladly post some but my main PC is in in the middle of being upgraded at the moment, im using my backup PC right now & it doesnt have any photo software like DPP installed, its really slow, all I can do is type messages on here :confused:

I will post some as soon as its back up & running.

[e r y k]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/erykv1/IMG_5328.jpg

abandoned gas station :)

[grizzy]

Cool...thanks Nick.

Here is a shot I took last night. Bad light, no tripod, and sideways rain pelting me on my balcony...still a neat capture I think:

http://cwwayne.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p377986085-3.jpg

[Nick_C]

Very nice considering the crap conditions you took it in! its turned out well.

[grizzy]

Thanks...just wish the rainbow was stronger. It's the closest I've ever been to one and rarely do you get to see it end somewhere (enter pot of gold joke here).

[Nick_C]

It is hard to get a rainbow to showup nicely in the first place, let alone see the end.

Btw, I wont forget about those images, if you dont see anything on here by this time next week pm me to jog my memory ;-)

[Jetjoint]

Here are some taken thru 3 inches of glass at 37000' using the 17-70.

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/7537/topost2yg6.jpg

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/6508/topost9cw9.jpg

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/9092/topost10tiffyv6.jpg

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/6514/topost7bf0.jpg

[90blackcrx]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/90blackcrx/IMG_5843.jpg

[e r y k]

what a pretty snail :) what u runnin it on?

[willy b]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/erykv1/IMG_5328.jpg

abandoned gas station :)

Wouldn't fancy filling up on that hill ;)

About the skies. As Nick said it really does depend on the day, recenty i have been so lucky with the blueness (not even a word) so i guess that is why they are so blue.

You coudl do what Nick said, but that is going over my head :rolleyes:

[e r y k]

i was just curious about the skies, but i have a polarizer :P

oh, there was a landslide going on when i took that gas station pic :) hehe.

[Nick_C]

Wouldn't fancy filling up on that hill ;)

About the skies. As Nick said it really does depend on the day, recenty i have been so lucky with the blueness (not even a word) so i guess that is why they are so blue.

You coudl do what Nick said, but that is going over my head :rolleyes:

Its not as complex as it sounds, soon as I get my main photo PC back up & running I will post a little example of what I mean for you.

[90blackcrx]

what a pretty snail :) what u runnin it on?

Stock them for my business www.RCautoworks.com

[e r y k]

you on HT man? your pics and your business name seem very familiar :)

[willy b]

Its not as complex as it sounds, soon as I get my main photo PC back up & running I will post a little example of what I mean for you.


:D Nice one. Will be good to see a pro's work