Sigma 'Fast Prime' Fan Club

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I just picked up a Sigma 24mm f/1.8 Macro for my Olympus. Can I play?

 

[Gdad]

I just picked up a Sigma 24mm f/1.8 Macro for my Olympus. Can I play?

Well ya have to post some pictures taken WITH the lens first.

Maybe I should change it to the Sigma fast prime fan club now.

(I know a few DIS'rs who love that 150 Macro too.)

 

[Pea-n-Me]

OK, here we go. From a ballgame last night.

(Please let me know if you see any aberrencies or whatever.)

 

[deletedpenguin]

A recent shot with my 30mm.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

I am stuck at work tonight and don't get out until 9pm. I did bring my camera to see if I can catch some fireworks on the way home. So I decided to capture something that is very popular in the news this week that we use all the time.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am stuck at work tonight and don't get out until 9pm. I did bring my camera to see if I can catch some fireworks on the way home. So I decided to capture something that is very popular in the news this week that we use all the time.

Oh, Milk of Amnesia.

 

[Code]

Thought I'd share a few recent shots with my 30 (on Sony A700)... still my favorite lens!

From the 4th, my nephew watching our driveway fireworks. IS was a great help, I got loads of fun handheld family shots at dusk.
1/4 sec, f/1.7, ISO800

Hanging out at the park with our boys a few days ago...
1/400 sec, f/4.0, ISO200

1/2000 sec, f/1.4, ISO200

1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO200

1/2500 sec, f/1.4, ISO200

1/1250 sec, f/2.0, ISO200

 

[Gdad]

Those are great Code- thanks for sharing. Looks like you guys are going to have your hands full for the next couple of decades.

 

[Gdad]

Not OF a Sigma but taken WITH a Sigma- 50/1.4.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My DD11 was proud of the mac salad she made, and took this one. (I cropped it a bit.)

I took this outside of work. I liked the colors.

Just fooling around with the lens. My two girls.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have a question. I've seen some talk of a learning curve with (type of) lens. Can someone talk to me about that?

I'm seeing that the angle you shoot at makes a difference (as in the mac salad shot, my DD shot from the side instead of from the top, which, I think, would have been better). And I can see that focus points and light conditions make a difference, too. Do you all generally shoot wide open? Use filters? Other thoughts?

 

[WDWFigment]

I have a question. I've seen some talk of a learning curve with (type of) lens. Can someone talk to me about that?

I'm seeing that the angle you shoot at makes a difference (as in the mac salad shot, my DD shot from the side instead of from the top, which, I think, would have been better). And I can see that focus points and light conditions make a difference, too. Do you all generally shoot wide open? Use filters? Other thoughts?

I don't really think there is a learning curve per se, but definitely if you plan on using it for its best (in my opinion) use with creative depth of field. For normal "snaps" or any shots at around f/2.8 or above, it's pretty manageable. As far as the learning curve, it's just a matter of getting comfortable with the lens. I often use it wide open, but it's very sharp at f/8 or so, too. I have a B+W UV filter on at all times for protection. Sometimes the hood (although you could easily just use the hood for protection--it's a matter of preference).

Here are a couple BTMRR shots I took with the lens. Click the images to go to their Flickr pages, where you can get EXIF data.

 

[Gdad]

Great work all- I'll add a few from the 50/1.4

 

[scoot241]

 

[Gdad]

I have a question. I've seen some talk of a learning curve with (type of) lens. Can someone talk to me about that?

I'm seeing that the angle you shoot at makes a difference (as in the mac salad shot, my DD shot from the side instead of from the top, which, I think, would have been better). And I can see that focus points and light conditions make a difference, too. Do you all generally shoot wide open? Use filters? Other thoughts?

I'm sure there is some learning curve for any piece of equipment you get. Here is my two part (and probably way more than you asked for) answer to your question:

Technical Answer:
An exceptionally fast prime with a narrow depth of field to match can certainly be a challenge to use effectively to get the results you are looking for. Depth of Field is defined as the range of distances along the axis of an optical instrument, usually a camera lens, through which an object will produce a relatively distinct image. With the lens wide open this range is at its most narrow- as the lens is stopped down it gets wider. With the 30/1.4 from a distance of 6' your depth of field is about 8" wide- at f2.8 it is about 16" wide- at f5.6 it grows to almost 3'- so you can see it will be easier to get an object entirely in focus if the lens is stopped down. Your example of the macaroni salad taken from the top vs. the side is you trying to squeeze the subject into the depth of field. If the salad is on the same plane as the camera- then the distance from the sensor to the top of the bowl will be equal to the distance from the sensor to the bottom of the bowl- and equally in focus. If, however, the salad is shot at an angle- then the far side of the bowl is farther from the camera than the near side of the bowl- and thus both could not be in focus unless the depth of field was sufficient. Assuming the bowl is say 12" across- the f2.8 example above when focused in the center of the bowl would give you the proper depth of field to maintain focus across your subject with a little room to spare.

Okay- Now for my Real Answer:
This lens just sings wide open. It begs to be shot wide open. I almost never ever shoot mine stopped down. Sticking with food- let’s take your French Fries shot for example- shot in wide open goodness- it makes me want to go to the ballgame and buy some fries right now! Those couple fries in the back that are out of focus- forget about them. I want to grab those couple up front right off the screen- you can see the salt- that middle one with the thin kind of crunchy looking end- I would eat that one first. The one resting on the third one I like as well- it looks kind of mysterious disappearing back into the blurry pile like that- It may well go second. That right there- it's the whole picture. Would a smaller aperture with all the fries and the table underneath all in perfect focus made a more interesting picture? I don't think so- I like you just telling me the story of those couple of fries. And in that same set- the young man with the glove watching the game- fabulous- I can imagine the anticipation- the smell of the leather glove. The selective focus adds both attention to your subject and mystery and intrigue and interest to the story you are telling. Shooting wide open and isolating your subject does take some practice- call it a learning curve if you like- you get some throw away’s- sure. But you will also get a lot of very interesting images like the ones I mentioned. Just my $.02

Afterthought:
I have no idea if I answered your question or not with all that but whatever you do- throw those filters in the trash!

 

[Gdad]

Enough babbling- Here are a few with the 50/1.4 from yesterday afternoon with my favorite models- all wide open. This lens is just an amazing pleasure to use.

No cropping- no sharpening- just re-sized and posted.

You have to see the 100% CROP to appreciate this one- Swinging- Continuous Focus- this lens rocks!

 

[wenrob]

Okay- Now for my Real Answer:
This lens just sings wide open. It begs to be shot wide open. I almost never ever shoot mine stopped down. Sticking with food- let’s take your French Fries shot for example- shot in wide open goodness- it makes me want to go to the ballgame and buy some fries right now! Those couple fries in the back that are out of focus- forget about them. I want to grab those couple up front right off the screen- you can see the salt- that middle one with the thin kind of crunchy looking end- I would eat that one first. The one resting on the third one I like as well- it looks kind of mysterious disappearing back into the blurry pile like that- It may well go second. That right there- it's the whole picture. Would a smaller aperture with all the fries and the table underneath all in perfect focus made a more interesting picture? I don't think so- I like you just telling me the story of those couple of fries. And in that same set- the young man with the glove watching the game- fabulous- I can imagine the anticipation- the smell of the leather glove. The selective focus adds both attention to your subject and mystery and intrigue and interest to the story you are telling. Shooting wide open and isolating your subject does take some practice- call it a learning curve if you like- you get some throw away’s- sure. But you will also get a lot of very interesting images like the ones I mentioned. Just my $.02

Wow Jeff, you've got me wanting to pull out the Sigma 30 and play. I have to say though, the technical part helped as well in my understanding. I admit I got a little frustrated (along w/family stuff happening) and set it aside.
The pics of your girls are fabulous!

 

[Code]

Enough babbling- Here are a few with the 50/1.4 from yesterday afternoon with my favorite models- all wide open. This lens is just an amazing pleasure to use.

Awesome shots! I'm every bit as enamored with my 30 as you are with your 50. LOVE IT! Can't wait till my boys can sit up on their own so I can make better use of it.