First Sigma 8-16mm shots

pharmakon · Aug 26, 2010

Just got back from my first outing with my newest addition to the collection. The Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6! So far I like it a lot, but using this wide of lens will definately take some practice to make compelling shots.

the only real negative thing I have to say is that it doesn't seem to play well with AF on my 50D unless focusing very close. After noticing a couple shots with missed focus I ended up focusing manually for the rest of the outing.

Heres some samples:
1. 8mm. Was a little soft, this was when I noticed the AF issue.

2. 11mm

3. 8mm

4. 9mm

5. 8mm

6. 8mm

7. 8mm

8. 100% crop of above photo... I think this is the sharpest lens I own (for now

All shot in .jpg format, all at f/8. No additional sharpening or distortion correction. I did play with exposure in lightroom though (recovery, fill, exposure and blacks).

Larger versions and a few more shots can be seen in my flickr.

Thanks for checking it out!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4930618378_1c86721c2b.jpg

er111a · Aug 26, 2010

congrats on the new lens photos are sure sharp

Derrel · Aug 26, 2010

Everything looks so small and far-away...do you have any sample shots taken say, inside of a car, or a phone booth,or anything like that,so we could get a feel for the lens indoors? I'd like to see how wide it looks shot across the width of say a diner's booth table...

pharmakon · Aug 26, 2010

Here ya go derrel... Took a couple just for you. everything at 8mm f/4.5, No adjustments at all (Except for the dog shot, taken this morning), iso 1600 though due to dim lighting.

Yes everything is really small with this lens, and even when close up things appear much further away than they really are, I have just about run the front of the lens into things while experimenting today. Like I said in the original post, I am going to need to spend some quality time with it before I start making actual "Photographs" as it's a whole different kind of perspective.

Inches away from the nose

My Desk, pushed back a little from the usual sitting spot:

Vertical from the same place, yes those are my knees at the bottom of the frame...

Sitting at the head of the table, as if I was eating. I could reach out and touch the edge of the chair on the left that is just out of frame.

And for anyone that didn't find it obvious just thinking about it, the pop up flash is worthless with this lens as it doesn't have a wide enough field of coverage and the bottom of the frame gets a shadow from the lens hood. I don't think even a dedicated flash would work unless bounced or off camera.