My new lens has arrived

[PmSonic]

I've just become the proud owner of a shiny new toy, the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro.

I'm on nights this week so only got the chance to open it up & have a quick peek when the courier arrived, so not had a chance to have a proper play around yet.

I'm planning to taking it with me to the Granite City Rally on Saturday and get some pictures, but i'm a little uncertain of the best settings to use?

I'll be taking the tripod with me, so will hopefully be able to get a steady shot at full zoom, whats your thoughts? anyone got one of these and can recommend the sweet spot setting wise?

[bowenjones]

Now I've noticed that you've changed your username
I'm sure that Bristol Pete has a Sigma 70-300. Don't know if it's the APO macro though. I've got a Canon 70-300 IS USM on order and can't wait for it to be delivered.
Looking forward to seeing some of your pics from your new lens

[PmSonic]

I felt like it was time for a change, both my name and lens

I'll hopefully have some pics taken this weekend, all going well!

[JohnG]

I should have 1 of these Sigma lenses arriving today so hope to have a play with it over the weekend as well. I was very tempted by the canon 70-300 IS USM but feel I've spent enough on camera equipment in the last month, so went for the cheaper option.

[PmSonic]

Yeh, the 70-300 IS was on my wish list too, but I simply couldnt justify the cost just yet. I figure the Sigma has had some great reviews and a good price, it just means I'll have to use the tripod a little more.

from my very quick look when opening up the box, I popped it onto the camera. first impressions are that it's a great lens, its got a nice feel to it.. cant wait to get out there and put it through its paces

I've got a feeling you'll love yours too.

[Bristol Pete]

I have the slightly cheaper version which performs very well given the budget restrictions and certainly does the job for me at the moment. The lion and bird shots in my album were shot with it. Taking it to Premiership football tomorrow so will see what I can get with it

[PmSonic]

both those shots were really good, shows what the lens can do with a good hand at the wheel!

[PmSonic]

I have the slightly cheaper version which performs very well given the budget restrictions and certainly does the job for me at the moment. The lion and bird shots in my album were shot with it. Taking it to Premiership football tomorrow so will see what I can get with it

forgot to add, any tips / hints on using the lens?

[Bristol Pete]

Well not that experienced with it but evidently as per all zoom let plenty of light in if at 300mm.
They do need a fast shutter if fully extended which stands to reason and yes, tripod/monopod yields far better results.

An idea would be to take a shot or two in sports mode look at the exif and work from there especially as you may be shooting rally cars.

Keep us posted

Pete.

[baldrick]

Some of these were taken using a Tamron 75mm-300mm, Pentax *ist DS on full auto and hand-held....

http://web.mac.com/ben.balcombe/iWeb...t22-04-06.html

Some have blurred a bit but I'll have a look at some of the exif data over the weekend and let you know....

[JohnG]

If my Sigma arrives today I'm going to go looking for that Heron again this weekend. It will have to be done handheld as it's not really suitable for a tripod around there.

[electrolyte]

Originally Posted by Bristol Pete

Taking it to Premiership football tomorrow so will see what I can get with it

Sorry to take this thread OT but are you allowed to take cameras like the 350D into football stadiums? I went to a match at Reading a couple of years ago and my mate had his large point and shoot camera taken by security before the game. I didn't have my camera with me at the time. He got it back afterwards. Something to be wary about Pete...

[PmSonic]

I've not heard of that, i dont think i'd like to trust someone else with my kit.. even if it is security who has it

[PmSonic]

I'll be posting some more interesting pictures after I’ve taken some better shots over the weekend, but I thought people might like to see the first pictures taken.

One at 100mm (although the exif data says 76mm??), the other at 300mm.

Both taken using the action setting, maybe not the best for this picture but I just wanted to get a couple of pics taken to demo the lens.

No post processing done to either pic, taken hand holding.

f8, 1/1250sec, iso 400

f5.6, 1/2000sec, iso 400

[PmSonic]

mods, let me know if the pictures are too big, I can reduce there size if needed.