New Sigma 70-200 macro portrait

[Havoc]

Photo of my little nephew taken with the S3 and new Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 macro, great lens although I've only got it todayI love it !

[Igor]

Great portrait, congrats on your new lens! :cheers:

[schreiber]

The lens seems rather soft??!?! :confused:

[Agrom]

Nice portrait, the young fella looks comfortable

[Serge]

Why would anyone go for a "now" pedestrian 70~200 range, when Sigma, Tamron and Nikon all have an 18~200 range zoom?
I am very happy with my Tamron "Universal" 18~200 lens.
Have to agree with Thomas, looks a bit soft.
Nice enough candid, but why shoot against a brick wall?

[schreiber]

Why would anyone go for a "now" pedestrian 70~200 range, when Sigma, Tamron and Nikon all have an 18~200 range zoom?
I am very happy with my Tamron "Universal" 18~200 lens.
Have to agree with Thomas, looks a bit soft.
Nice enough candid, but why shoot against a brick wall?

Well, maybe because of the 2.8 factor. Fortunetly for me, my largest/longest street lens is a 50mm 1.4 ;)

[Serge]

Another factor I have never understood, why shoot wide open, when every lens approaches it's sweet spot 2 stops closed down :dunce:

[schreiber]

Another factor I have never understood, why shoot wide open, when every lens approaches it's sweet spot 2 stops closed down :dunce:

You said it yourself :) If you go 2 stops down from 2.8 you get 5.6 - if you go 2 stops down from 5.6 or more you need high iso or a tripod ;)

[Serge]

Yes Thomas I know, that's always been the compelling arguement :)
In my book, that's a lot of mulla for an F stop you're never going to shoot at.
If I need higher ISO or a tripod, then I know I need to plan for the conditions, pulling out a fast expensive piece of glass, is not the solution IMO :beerchug:
It simply don't always deliver, image contrast depends on lighting, subject contrast and lens characteristics. Anyway, nuff said, nice to exchange opinions :cheers:

[schreiber]

Yes Thomas I know, that's always been the compelling arguement :)
In my book, that's a lot of mulla for an F stop you're never going to shoot at.
If I need higher ISO or a tripod, then I know I need to plan for the conditions, pulling out a fast expensive piece of glass, is not the solution IMO :beerchug:
It simply don't always deliver, image contrast depends on lighting, subject contrast and lens characteristics. Anyway, nuff said, nice to exchange opinions :cheers:

Well. My 50mm 1.4 and 35mm 2 are rather sharp at largeste aparture. I'd go for the largest aperture lens any day instead of VR and what knows. But again. Im a low-DOF-aholic :lol:

My sigma 150mm 2.8 makro is also really sharp at 2.8 - but ONLY if you shoot something at a fairly far away distance for some reason. If stopped down to f8+ its razorsharp from 38cm :)

We'd better stop before we ruin this thread even more... if thats possible :D

[Melody]

Yes Thomas I know, that's always been the compelling arguement :)
In my book, that's a lot of mulla for an F stop you're never going to shoot at.
If I need higher ISO or a tripod, then I know I need to plan for the conditions, pulling out a fast expensive piece of glass, is not the solution IMO :beerchug:
It simply don't always deliver, image contrast depends on lighting, subject contrast and lens characteristics. Anyway, nuff said, nice to exchange opinions :cheers:

Dear, maybe it's not the soluiton but it's the one I like! :D

When I get to 'play' 2.8, 2.0 and 1.2 are my most favorites to experiment with and I love to PLAY! :getdown:

Plan for conditions? OH that is not a blonde thing, just go for it, feel it, and have fun! Like those horses gave me any choice in the matter! :lol: Have a great day! I've gotta try to sleep I just didn't want to miss saying HI! :D

Melody

[Serge]

Hi , and I hope you get some sleep :)

I'm still in my office, 7pm. and looks like I'll be here for a while putting the finishing touches to a catalog of student work, due for the printers on Monday, my first batch of graduating students putting on an exibition, I want to show them in the best light :D

Have a wonderfull weekend ;)

[GaryB]

Why would anyone go for a "now" pedestrian 70~200 range, when Sigma, Tamron and Nikon all have an 18~200 range zoom?
I am very happy with my Tamron "Universal" 18~200 lens.
Have to agree with Thomas, looks a bit soft.
Nice enough candid, but why shoot against a brick wall?

On the Canon 20D at least, all of the 9 focussing points use cross type sensors at F2.8 accurate to 1/3 DOF, at small apertures only the centre point is a cross type.

It also means you can use a 2x teleconvertor and retain AF

Also in my expience the longer the zoom range the bigger the compromise!

(Downside of course is size, weight and cost!)