Just bought the Bigma...need tips please!

Howe Creative Photography

Just bought this lens and I got it about an hour ago. I am leaving for a cruise to Alaska next Tuesday, so I want to learn as much about it as possible before we go. Any tips, helpful suggestions besides playing with it. I know I need to do that, but just wondering if there's something helpful anyone can share. I will be using this with my Nikon D300s. Thansk so much!!!:thumb:thumb

SimpsonBrothers

Keep it in a ziploc bag!
If you are near the ocean make a bag cover using a filter.

ziggy53

Congratulations on the new lens.

While I really do enjoy my Bigma there are zoom regions which can get fairly soft, especially at the large apertures. I recommend you do some tests yourself just so you are aware of the properties of your copy.

I like mine best at f8-f11 so I consider it to be a lens that requires very good light.

The Canon version is known to report f5.6 when the lens is extended and only capable of f6.3. This is not an error. The lens reports the f5.6 aperture so that AF continues to function properly for those cameras which are limited to AF on lenses of f5.6 or faster. I am not sure if this applies to the Nikon version or not.

13867

Agree with Ziggy, f/8 and 11 are your friends!

Art Scott

SimpsonBrothers wrote: »

If you are near the ocean make a bag cover using a filter.

You'll need a tripod to use this lens for the greatest results.....I can handhold mine but do not like to.

yes smallish trash bags for a water spray or rain cover are easily made by snipping the corner of the bag to fit just over the lens hood and attaching with a rubberband........depending on the bag it can also help keeep your head dry and water out of your eyes......I have DIY rain covers from very small to 20 gal bags that I can dang near cover me with at same time.......

zoomer

f8 tripod lots of light.
Have fun with it.

Howe Creative Photography

Thanks so much everyone! This is exactly the type of tips I was looking for you! You guys are great!! I will continue playing and post some pics!
Art- not understanding the garbage bag thing? explain more please!

SimpsonBrothers

Howe Creative Photography wrote: »

Art- not understanding the garbage bag thing? explain more please!

http://www.ehow.com/how_5597993_make-dslr-rain-cover.html

http://www.diyphotography.net/protect-your-camera-from-rain-using-an-old-pair-of-rain-trousers

http://lifehacker.com/188782/macgyver-tip--ziploc-your-digicam

this one is humorous!
http://www.diyphotography.net/diy_the_cheap_yet_shamefull_underwater_housing

Howe Creative Photography

Thanks! That one is funny!