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Left Rockhampton yesterday and took a detour via Calliope, Kroombit Tops NP, Cania Gorge NP.

Was really just checking options for future extended visits but it was a great opportunity for photography as I was by myself running to my own schedule.

These were all taken with my recently aquired Sigma 10-20 Zoom which is great for landscape stuff and cramped spaces such as the first picture.

The shot from the lookout was late afternoon (almost sunset) but the lookout faces east so the valley below was quite dark compared to the distant hills and sky which still had some sunlight. I would be keen to hear any suggestions on how to reduce the blown highlights in this type of shot. In hindsight 2 shots with different exposures and then merged might do the trick?

10mm 1/30s @ f/4.5


14mm 1/500s @f/6.3



Get Vertigo, then don't look down here. KROOMBIT TOPS LOOKOUT 10mm 1/13s @ f/11



One of the biggest fence posts you'll ever see Attached is one of the many gates on the track from Kroombit Tops to Cania Gorge (4WD only) 10mm 1/20s @ f/4



View from my swag last night. 10mm 11m @ f/4


Bush campsite at Dawn (the compulsory vehicle in shot, shot) 10mm 1/20s @f/4


Cania Dam 10mm 1/1600s @ f/5.6

That last one is PW, slider (postcard-worthy)

Love the way you can see the shallows, blending into the reflections.

Sigma 10-20? Or Tokina 12-24? Hmmmmm. Must do more research...

Slider,
You have shown us lately with all the superb photos from your new acquisitions.
They're treasures and great series of collection.

You have some fine examples here, the lens appear to be sharp with little distortion.

What angle were each of the images? Are any at 10mm?

I have this lens and haven't taken it off since I bought it. Everything I ever wanted in a lens, a little distortion but not too bad, great contrast and sharpness (atleast compared to the kit lens), affordable, and color seems to come out really good as well. Most of the pictures at the top of my stream are taken with this lens, and I must say I've fallen in love with photography again.

I'm sure the Tokina is good as well, but you can't lose with the sigma because of the cost and focal range.

The first picture looks a tad overexposed, I'd like to see the foreground stuff a tad darker, it also looks like really harsh light, which is hard to get decently no matter how correct the exposure.

Ultra wide shootout at Nikonians.

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/nikon_articles/nikkor/af/wide_angles_shootout/index.html

a great range of shots........ makes me want to go out and do some shots with my 12-24 Sigma.........I should get out more........

Slider, lovely pics.. the last is great.

MATT

Great shots Mark, inparticular that last one with the gorgeous reflections!
The Sigma 10-20 is on the top of my list of new gear, subject to me getting my P's, I really should get out and do some driving practice

An interesting and eclectic mix, Mark. That lens looks damn fine and presents quite a dilemma for those looking for a WA lens No surprise that the standout for me is the last pic which is a brilliant example of the virtues of WA lenses.

Thanks for the comments folks. The lens seems to be on the camera much more than the kit lens

LostDingo wrote:What angle were each of the images? Are any at 10mm?

I have edited the post and added the exif info. Apart from the 2nd shot all were at 10mm.

Really nice photos Mark....pity about some of the blown highlights.

.....and thanks for helping me add another lens onto my "lens-lust" list

Aussie Dave wrote:Really nice photos Mark....pity about some of the blown highlights.

.....and thanks for helping me add another lens onto my "lens-lust" list :roll:

Only too pleased to be of assistance

Like the star trail shot Nice stuff

I love my 10 - 20 sigma lens

Are you having any trouble with a CPL filter?

i love dug's 10-20.. wish i could borrow it for tomorrow

Tim
p.s. Nice images Mark, well done!

Tim I have one, you may use it if you wish

Thanks John

Tim

Dug, I don't have one yet but why do you ask? Is there something I should know?

Tim, thanks for the comments

A series that showcases the qualities of this fine lens Mark. It's sharp, delivers good colour and controls distortion surprisingly well some of which is down to your skill with the lens I really like the last for its expansiveness and tranquility.
cheers
marco

Great series of shots.

One of these days on my trips home to Rocky I must take some detours ...

for your overexposure, you can do a few things...

* use a Neutral Density filter (ND)
* use an external light meter and take an average reading
* take multiple photos (basically bracket 1-1.5 stops each exposure), exposing for the highlights, shadows and midtones of the same scene, and combine then in photoshop - dodge and burn layers.

there is an article on luminous-landscape.com which shows you the 3rd pt... - http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutor ... ding.shtml

hope it helps.

Jonathan

jdear wrote:for your overexposure, you can do a few things...

* use a Neutral Density filter (ND)
* use an external light meter and take an average reading
* take multiple photos (basically bracket 1-1.5 stops each exposure), exposing for the highlights, shadows and midtones of the same scene, and combine then in photoshop - dodge and burn layers.

there is an article on luminous-landscape.com which shows you the 3rd pt... - http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutor ... ding.shtml

hope it helps.

Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan,

I did think about the multiple exposure bracketing ..after I left..

Thanks for the article link

Slider wrote:Dug, I don't have one yet but why do you ask? Is there something I should know?

Some vignetting has been reported and other ultra wide lenses are a problem but I do not have any trouble with mine.

If you are buying one try the CPL on it before you buy.

cheers doug

Dug wrote:

Slider wrote:Dug, I don't have one yet but why do you ask? Is there something I should know?

Some vignetting has been reported and other ultra wide lenses are a problem but I do not have any trouble with mine.

If you are buying one try the CPL on it before you buy.

cheers doug

Thanks for the tip Doug. I have seen a few posts from others with that problem so I will definately be trying in store first

on review, the sigma seems to be free of the problem, still check though

Mark initially I though I had a problem with vignetting with a Fotar CPL. More tests today have proved the lens to be all clear right out to 10mm. I am a happy chappy.

Oneputt wrote:Mark initially I though I had a problem with vignetting with a Fotar CPL. More tests today have proved the lens to be all clear right out to 10mm. I am a happy chappy.

Thanks John. Good news