My new lens has arrived

PmSonic · 27-04-2006, 11:57 PM

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 · 28-04-2006, 12:16 AM

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 · 28-04-2006, 1:35 AM

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 · 28-04-2006, 3:39 AM

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 · 28-04-2006, 3:51 AM

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 · 28-04-2006, 7:18 AM

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 · 28-04-2006, 7:23 AM

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

PmSonic · 28-04-2006, 7:25 AM

Quote:

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 · 28-04-2006, 7:30 AM

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 · 28-04-2006, 8:36 AM

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 · 28-04-2006, 8:55 AM

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 · 28-04-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

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 · 28-04-2006, 12:28 PM

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 · 28-04-2006, 1:08 PM

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 · 28-04-2006, 1:11 PM

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

**Zone** · 28-04-2006, 1:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PmSonic

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

800x600 would be better

There are still alot of people who use that resolution and there's nothing worse than having to scroll sideways to see all of a picture

PmSonic · 28-04-2006, 1:30 PM

Done, resized to 800x600

JohnG · 28-04-2006, 1:32 PM

Mine has arrived

I like the fact that you get a case and a lens hood with this

PmSonic · 28-04-2006, 1:40 PM

Nice one JohnG, Just to let you know, I was having a look at the manual which advised caution when putting on / taking off the hood while in auto. It recommends setting it to manual first so as to not damage the auto focus.

I'm sure everyone will know this, and its standard practice? but im still making this post since the though never occured to me!

I think I was getting to excitable with my new toy to keep some common sense.. just glad I read it before breaking my shiny new lens

Just out of interest, where did you buy yours?

JohnG · 28-04-2006, 1:48 PM

I never bothered reading the manual, I just went straight outside for a play ! Fortunately I didn't put the hood on, but would not have though of switching to manual focus

I bought mine from ABC Digital Cameras, the same place I got my Canon Macro lens from earlier in the week. They did free next day delivery on these 2 lenses

PmSonic · 28-04-2006, 1:59 PM

I ended up getting mine from http://www.digitalfirst.co.uk great service, and very quick athough I might try ABC for my next purchase to save on the postage..

JohnG · 28-04-2006, 2:02 PM

I like the looks and feel of this lens and with the limited play I've had with it I just know I'm going to be very happy with it considering the price

JohnG · 29-04-2006, 6:56 PM

I like this lens

Went to the Swan's nest and was dismayed to see that there were no swans there

Imagine the joy when I saw them on the stream a bit further on:-

bowenjones · 29-04-2006, 7:02 PM

Superb picture John

Can't wait to get my Zoom.

JohnG · 29-04-2006, 7:19 PM

A couple more reduced to 800x600:-

Johndm · 29-04-2006, 7:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Do you mean this, http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0347682/L/

bibamus · 29-04-2006, 9:24 PM

PM, I have the same lens as you on my Nikon D50. Excellent lens, I`ve found it performs very well at all settings, though the sharpness starts to suffer a little ( really, just a little) over about 250mm, but its still pretty sharp. I`ll try and dig out a few photos, but I didnt use it too much over the winter, too dark.
Good luck with yours, I shall expect to see some spectacular shots now the weather and light is picking up!!

Allan

JohnG · 30-04-2006, 12:45 AM

One more for the road !