Sigma 120-300mm w/ 1.4 TC

[ravaz]

I went out on Saturday with the Sigma 120-300mm and a Canon 1.4TC mounted on my Canon 400D (XTi). I'll be the first to admit that this lens is a bit on the heavy side. I'm 6'1 and 275 (I go to the gym) and I was a little sore from hand holding this lens for the 5 hours I used it for on Saturday.

I went out to the park with my wife and little girl and took a few decent shots. Later in the day I met up with a friend that is into RC cars and wanted to test it out on some moving objects. These little cars easily go over 50mph, so it was challenging but I had alot of fun. Here are some samples. No post editing done on any of the photos, just cropped and resized for the web. I shot all of these in JPEG. CC is welcome, but let me warn you that I've only been in this "hobby" for about 2 weeks now.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1518.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1476.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1353.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1314.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1277.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1694.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1899.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1744.jpg

[ravaz]

More

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1746.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1899.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1909.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1917.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1924.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1926.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1934.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1922.jpg

[ravaz]

This one isn't the best, but it's pretty cool. I think this guy was easily 20' + in the air coming off a jump.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/ravaz/Sigma_120-300/IMG_1945.jpg

[svpworld]

Rather soft all the images, is that just the TC or the lens? I'd like to see images without the TC to see the quality you are getting from the lens.

Simon

[Dave_G]

I doubt it's the lens, TC or combination of both producing soft images. I use the same week in week out and it's very very sharp, with or without the TC.

Practice and patience is needed with this combo, especially hand-held.

[ravaz]

I doubt it's the lens, TC or combination of both producing soft images. I use the same week in week out and it's very very sharp, with or without the TC.

Practice and patience is needed with this combo, especially hand-held.

I have to agree. I don't think it's the lens or TC, it's my lack of experience with the lens, and the fact that it was 90 degrees out in the Sun and I was tired from shooting hand-held all day :-). Still, I'm happy with the results from my first time out with the lens, it's just getting better everytime I use it.

I will take some photos without the TC and post them up. I'm heading to the Zoo on Wed and will bring the lens and post samples when I get back.

[ed rader]

I have to agree. I don't think it's the lens or TC, it's my lack of experience with the lens, and the fact that it was 90 degrees out in the Sun and I was tired from shooting hand-held all day :-). Still, I'm happy with the results from my first time out with the lens, it's just getting better everytime I use it.

I will take some photos without the TC and post them up. I'm heading to the Zoo on Wed and will bring the lens and post samples when I get back.

the softness is consistent thoughout the images. usually if technique is at fault there are at least some promising signs, which i just don't see here.

but sometimes unedited shots can be misleading too.

i would concentrate on using the lens without TC for awhile and see what you get.

good luck.

ed rader

[ravaz]

The more I compare these photos to the originals, the worse these look. I think the app that I used to do the resizes destroyed them. With that said, do these look "soft" to you guys? Here's a low res copy.

http://www.hpjvids.com/ravaz/IMG_1425.jpg

[cdifoto]

The more I compare these photos to the originals, the worse these look. I think the app that I used to do the resizes destroyed them. With that said, do these look "soft" to you guys? Here's a low res copy.

http://www.hpjvids.com/ravaz/IMG_1425.jpg

Unfortunately, that does look soft to me. :(

I would do some controlled tests, then most likely sent it off to Sigma for some TLC.

See this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=306893) for what I'd expect from the lens. These are with a 1D, so granted they're better autofocus, but they show the lens doing what it's capable of doing.

[SaSi]

The hi-rez sample posted exhibits severe CA around the head of the left duck. More like halo than CA. It's a pity your s/w deletes the EXIF data.

[LightRules]

Here's a sampling from POTN users of this lens showing a little of what it can do http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=277729

[timbop]

Considering you have only been "at this" for 2 weeks, I think you did a very good job. You also mentioned no post processing, which is probably why everyone is mentioning the softness. You generally have to sharpen digital images, and you also have to keep an eye on your ISO. Lower ISO's will have better detail than higher ones, but at the cost of a slower shutter speed. You have to strike the right balance of ISO vs. shutter speed, but I think you did a great job of capturing the cars in motion with a very long lens. To give your arms a break you can get a monopod with swivel head to bear the weight and yet still have flexibility of movement.

Keep up the good work, I think you'll do very well.

[timbop]

Oh,you also have to be aware of when to use AI servo or onesht autofocus (AF) modes.