Sigma 10-20 Zoom selection

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Sigma 10-20 Zoom selection

Postby Slider on Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:14 am

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
Image

14mm 1/500s @f/6.3
Image


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


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


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

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

Cania Dam 10mm 1/1600s @ f/5.6
Image
Last edited by Slider on Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby losfp on Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am

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...
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Postby birddog114 on Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:14 am

Slider,
You have shown us lately with all the superb photos from your new acquisitions.
They're treasures and great series of collection.
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Postby LostDingo on Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:17 am

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?
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Postby dooda on Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:43 am

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.
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Postby Heath Bennett on Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:17 am

HB
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Postby big pix on Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:36 am

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........
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Postby MATT on Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:58 am

Slider, lovely pics.. the last is great.

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Postby Alpha_7 on Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:37 am

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 :)
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Postby stubbsy on Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:47 am

An interesting and eclectic mix, Mark. That lens looks damn fine and presents quite a dilemma for those looking for a WA lens :wink: No surprise that the standout for me is the last pic which is a brilliant example of the virtues of WA lenses.
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Postby Slider on Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:31 am

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

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.
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Postby Aussie Dave on Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:23 pm

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:
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Postby Slider on Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:22 pm

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 8)
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Postby Dug on Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:27 pm

Like the star trail shot Nice stuff

I love my 10 - 20 sigma lens

Are you having any trouble with a CPL filter?
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Postby Zeeke on Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:31 pm

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

Tim
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Postby Oneputt on Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:35 pm

Tim I have one, you may use it if you wish :wink:
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Postby Zeeke on Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:36 pm

Thanks John

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Postby Slider on Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:41 pm

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

Tim, thanks for the comments :D
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Postby marcotrov on Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:32 pm

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 :wink: I really like the last for its expansiveness and tranquility.
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Postby DionM on Thu Jan 26, 2006 1:21 pm

Great series of shots.

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

Canon 20D and a bunch of lovely L glass and a 580EX. Benro tripod. Manfrotto monopod. Lowepro and Crumpler bags. And a pair of Sigma teleconverters, and some Kenko tubes.
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Postby jdear on Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:35 pm

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
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Postby Slider on Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:48 pm

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.. :roll:

Thanks for the article link :D
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Postby Dug on Thu Jan 26, 2006 4:37 pm

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
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Postby Slider on Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:20 pm

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 :D
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Postby Dug on Thu Jan 26, 2006 8:58 pm

on review, the sigma seems to be free of the problem, still check though :D
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Postby Oneputt on Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:08 pm

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. :D
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Postby Slider on Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:21 pm

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. :D


Thanks John. Good news :D
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