Posts Tagged ‘lens’
Take Pro Digital Lens Hard
With 1,679 reviews already done, there really isn’t much point in writing #1,680, but I have to. I need to tell you that I’m tired because I can’t stop reading this book at night. I’m water logged because I read it in the bath and don’t get out of the tub before I’ve turned into a prune. I’ve been late for work three days in a row. God help anyone who tries to talk to me on my break. I haven’t seen my boyfriend in days. I’ve been honked at in the drive through line because my nose was buried in this book. This book is ruining my life and you must let it ruin yours also.
Pro Digital Hard Lens
Wow! 70-300mm Sigma Macro SLD DG f/4-5.6 Lens
Good Utility lens. I bought this lens based on reviews here and my budget. I was just stepping up to a DSLR and wanted a long reach lens but I didnt have the budget for much. I went back and forth between the Sigma and the Tamron and ended up with the Sigma, again based on reviews here.
The Good:
This is a great starter lens or budget lens. With a 1.5 crop factor Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens is a 105mm-450mm lens with true macro from 200-300mm (250-450 converted). Thats a lot of lens for $150. The macro is good but takes some getting used to. First you have to go past 200mm, then flip a switch to go to macro focusing. When you are done, you have to do all of that in reverse or it wont retract. The macro focusing is good but most of the time you will want to switch to manual. The zoom ring has a nice positive feel that lets you stop when you want to and go when you want to. Some zooms are a little too “lose” for my taste. Because of its size, hand held shooting needs daylight and even then if you can use a tripod, do. With a tripod, the sharpness is excellent. This lens has a definite sweet spot between 135mm and 200mm, f/8. Shoot in this range and you will get amazing results.
The Bad
This thing is BIG and HEAVY. At 300mm and the full macro focusing, this lens is HUGE!! Do not try using it on a cheep tripod. I did, its frustrating. Because of the size and weight, it flops around more than some lenses. BE CAREFUL! Focus at either end is not a strong point. There is softness and CA at 300mm and at the low end of the f-stops. IF you can shoot f/8 or better, you will get better results.
This is not a “digital” lens. It is a full frame, 35mm film lens that works great on new Pentax digitals. AS long as you understand and accept its limitations, you will get a lot of value from it.