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Testing a Bigma ( quickly ) at the Zoo

windozewindoze Registered Users Posts: 2,830 Major grins
edited July 20, 2005 in Cameras
If those of you who have used the BIGMA or know lenses in general can lend me some advice - id be grateful. Today I wanted to go to the zoo to test out the new Sigma 50-550 DG. I usually would take the whole day to test a lens. Something came up, I had 1 hour to rush through the zoo and try to take some images to see if the lens is a "keeper". The images you see have some, but little post processing. Mostly a little contrast and extremely little USM. I didnt pay attention as much as I should have to the conditions under which i was shotting. All are handheld. I mean I should have tried for higher shutter speeds and maybe used a more variety of aperatures. I WAS IN A HUGE RUSH! Also it was around 2:30 and the sun was beating down harshly.... anyway based on what you see here... knowing that more skill could make a "better image" does the lens look good? In other am I safe to assume I dont have a dud???

troy





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one.gif28508760-M.jpg
one.gif

Date Taken: 2005-07-15 03:14:45
Date Digitized: 2005-07-15 03:14:45
Date Modified: 2005-07-15 18:32:11
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 20D
Size: 2270x2275
Bytes: 1312052
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 191mm (guess: 235mm in 35mm)
Exposure Time: 0.0166s (1/60)
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Exposure Program: Aperture priority



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one.gif28508427-M.jpg
one.gif

Date Taken: 2005-07-15 02:59:17
Date Digitized: 2005-07-15 02:59:17
Date Modified: 2005-07-15 17:56:56
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 20D
Size: 2050x2020
Bytes: 846762
Aperture: f/8.0
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 313mm (guess: 406mm in 35mm)
Exposure Time: 0.001s (1/1000)
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Exposure Program: Aperture priority



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one.gif28508431-M.jpg
one.gif

Date Taken: 2005-07-15 03:54:02
Date Digitized: 2005-07-15 03:54:02
Date Modified: 2005-07-15 03:54:02
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 20D
Size: 2043x1628
Bytes: 920248
Aperture: f/8.0
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 500mm (guess: 389mm in 35mm)
Exposure Time: 0.0006s (1/1600)
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Exposure Bias: 0



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one.gif28508417-M.jpg
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Date Taken: 2005-07-15 03:21:56
Date Digitized: 2005-07-15 03:21:56
Date Modified: 2005-07-15 03:21:56
Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 20D
Size: 2210x2155
Bytes: 912871
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 500mm (guess: 389mm in 35mm)
Exposure Time: 0.002s (1/500)
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Exposure Program: Aperture priority

Comments

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    AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited July 15, 2005
    toss up some 100% crops troy old boy and we'll help you out deal.gif
    Andy

    Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
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    windozewindoze Registered Users Posts: 2,830 Major grins
    edited July 15, 2005
    i know you have explained it a zillion times how to do that, but i have no clue how or what it means to give a 100% crop. ne_nau.gif

    ashamed,
    troy

    andy wrote:
    toss up some 100% crops troy old boy and we'll help you out deal.gif
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    AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited July 15, 2005
    100% crop explained
    windoze wrote:
    i know you have explained it a zillion times how to do that, but i have no clue how or what it means to give a 100% crop. ne_nau.gif

    ashamed,
    troy

    use the search, luke. seriously, all i had to do is type in 100% crop into the search box and i found this thread in 3 seconds. read down in that thread, i explain how it's done deal.gif

    search is your friend!
    Andy

    Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
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    John MuellerJohn Mueller Registered Users Posts: 2,555 Major grins
    edited July 15, 2005
    They look good to me,but as Andy says,let see some cropped.
    Trying out that beast in a hurry and handheld aint bad.
    Some day I want another Bigma:D
    My Smuggy

    Cincinnati Smug Leader
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    windozewindoze Registered Users Posts: 2,830 Major grins
    edited July 15, 2005
    these are crops from the original images I took. As far as i know I did not resize them, unless the program "picture it" does it automatically. so r these 100% crops??


    troy

    John Mueller wrote:
    They look good to me,but as Andy says,let see some cropped.
    Trying out that beast in a hurry and handheld aint bad.
    Some day I want another Bigma:D
  • Options
    USAIRUSAIR Registered Users Posts: 2,646 Major grins
    edited July 18, 2005
    Troy
    If you use ps here's one way

    Open the photo then look for the hand on the tool bar
    It's usually on the left of the screen its called Hand Tool
    Click that then on the top of the work space click the button Actual Pixels
    That's 100%
    Now just move to area on the photo you want and use crop tool

    I sure there is an easier way but it works for me

    Fred
    http://www.riverbendphotos.com/
    http://www.facebook.com/Riverbendphotos
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    PoseidonPoseidon Registered Users Posts: 504 Major grins
    edited July 19, 2005
    Well this being my first post and all...

    I think you have a good copy! I just got back from the Columbus and Toledo Zoo's and was wishing for more then my 70-200 2.8 could give me! I filled up 1.5 Gb at each zoo, so I have a LOT to look through that is for sure!

    100% crops will tell the tale for sure, but I think you will be okay.
    Mike LaPorte
    Perfect Pix
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    DeeDee Registered Users Posts: 2,981 Major grins
    edited July 19, 2005
    Welcome to dgrin Poseidon!
    Poseidon wrote:
    Well this being my first post and all...

    I think you have a good copy! I just got back from the Columbus and Toledo Zoo's and was wishing for more then my 70-200 2.8 could give me! I filled up 1.5 Gb at each zoo, so I have a LOT to look through that is for sure!

    100% crops will tell the tale for sure, but I think you will be okay.

    Good to see you here, I look forward to seeing some of your photos.
    http://www.deegolden.smugmug.com
    http://www.twitter.com/deegolden
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    4labs4labs Registered Users Posts: 2,089 Major grins
    edited July 19, 2005
    Troy I sold my Bigma because compared to my Nikon lenses it just didn't cut it for me. For the money I think it was a fine lens but I got spoiled with my shorter
    Nikon lenses. I am sure its the same case with Canon lenses.
  • Options
    JohnRJohnR Registered Users Posts: 732 Major grins
    edited July 19, 2005
    I'm seriously considering the 50-500mm Bigma lens some time. I can't afford a 400 or 500mm Nikon lens yet...if ever.
  • Options
    windozewindoze Registered Users Posts: 2,830 Major grins
    edited July 19, 2005
    HERE IS MY OPINION: i was only planning on using this lens at zoos, for birds and other wildlife habitats. i plan on shooting on sunny days.... f/8 and a shutterspeed of at least 1/1000 with my monopod. Not wanting to change lenses this lens ( Sigma 50-500 ) is a better buy than the canon 100-400 L. For that "sharp" picture I have in my bag on my rebel XT the Canon 400 mm f/5.6. Somehow this all makes sense to me.....




    troy


    4labs wrote:
    Troy I sold my Bigma because compared to my Nikon lenses it just didn't cut it for me. For the money I think it was a fine lens but I got spoiled with my shorter
    Nikon lenses. I am sure its the same case with Canon lenses.
  • Options
    marlofmarlof Registered Users Posts: 1,833 Major grins
    edited July 20, 2005
    windoze wrote:
    Somehow this all makes sense to me.....

    At least today. You know you'll think different tomorrow, and sell that lens again. And rebuy it. And then sell it. And on and on. Probably twice to Andy. rolleyes1.gif
    enjoy being here while getting there
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    leebaseleebase Registered Users Posts: 630 Major grins
    edited July 20, 2005
    You've come a long way, my friend. The photos look good to me. That lens is on my "some day" list.

    How was it to use?

    Keep in mind that you have plenty of folks on this board who spend more than a grand on short primes in order to get f1.4 and ultimate quality. Your 10x zoom is not going to compare in the 100% pixel peeping contests.

    You have a compromise lens and should judge it from that perspective. It's an extreme zoom which gives you flexability from 50 to 500mm for about a grand. It's not "fast glass", but it's affordable and flexable, and decent quality photos.

    Lee
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