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View Full Version : Testing a Bigma ( quickly ) at the Zoo

windoze
Jul-15-2005, 03:11 PM
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





Image control: Zoom out | Zoom 100% | Zoom in | Expand / Contract | New window (http://windoze.smugmug.com/photos/28508760-M.jpg)
http://www.dpreview.com/images/one.gifhttp://windoze.smugmug.com/photos/28508760-M.jpg
http://www.dpreview.com/images/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



Image control: Zoom out | Zoom 100% | Zoom in | Expand / Contract | New window (http://windoze.smugmug.com/photos/28508427-M.jpg)
http://www.dpreview.com/images/one.gifhttp://windoze.smugmug.com/photos/28508427-M.jpg
http://www.dpreview.com/images/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



Image control: Zoom out | Zoom 100% | Zoom in | Expand / Contract | New window (http://windoze.smugmug.com/photos/28508431-M.jpg)
http://www.dpreview.com/images/one.gifhttp://windoze.smugmug.com/photos/28508431-M.jpg
http://www.dpreview.com/images/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



Image control: Zoom out | Zoom 100% | Zoom in | Expand / Contract | New window (http://windoze.smugmug.com/photos/28508417-M.jpg)
http://www.dpreview.com/images/one.gifhttp://windoze.smugmug.com/photos/28508417-M.jpg
http://www.dpreview.com/images/one.gif

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
Andy
Jul-15-2005, 03:22 PM
toss up some 100% crops troy old boy and we'll help you out :deal
windoze
Jul-15-2005, 03:27 PM
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. :dunno

ashamed,
troy


toss up some 100% crops troy old boy and we'll help you out :deal
Andy
Jul-15-2005, 03:38 PM
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. :dunno

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 (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=12135&highlight=100%25+crop) in 3 seconds. read down in that thread, i explain how it's done :deal

search is your friend!
John Mueller
Jul-15-2005, 05:23 PM
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
windoze
Jul-15-2005, 05:38 PM
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


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
USAIR
Jul-18-2005, 02:41 PM
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
Poseidon
Jul-19-2005, 07:01 AM
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.
Dee
Jul-19-2005, 07:51 AM
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.
4labs
Jul-19-2005, 11:59 AM
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.
JohnR
Jul-19-2005, 04:56 PM
I'm seriously considering the 50-500mm Bigma lens some time. I can't afford a 400 or 500mm Nikon lens yet...if ever.
windoze
Jul-19-2005, 05:54 PM
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



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.
marlof
Jul-19-2005, 09:35 PM
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. :rofl
leebase
Jul-20-2005, 12:58 PM
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