Camera lens problem...

[Torurot]

All this camera porn is making me thirsty:

If you were using Sony/Minolta gear you could treat yourself to a decent Sony Zeiss SSM 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA Lens suitable for most bar room use. A snip @USD1900

[manarak]

(Jake_Sully @ Oct. 26 2010,08:11) Don't you mean Canada?

The D90 goes for $829 here brand new body only. I got it almost 200 off from . Americans are highway robbers!

But thanks rx, I'll look into lens locally. Are 2nd hand lens a bad idea?

About 2nd hand lenses, it is a good idea if you can go to a local shop and test them, for example with the focus chart I posted the link to.


Regarding a Super zoom lens, I have the Tamron 18-270 VC and I am really happy with it, it takes nice pix considering the huge zoom range.


The Sigma replacement lens I got is really really sharp. I love it.
I noticed it is a different build than the first one I got.
I will try to post a pic to show the lens off.
It is probably an ideal lens for shooting full HD video with the 550D.

[Jake_Sully]

I can't wait to see your shots.

I'm holding off on other lens for another reason too besides just finances: I want to know how to use them.

[manarak]

some shots using the Tamron 18-270

this pic at 21mm, the crop is at 100%

JPEG straight out of the cam, no processing

[manarak]

now at 270mm

[manarak]

and please consider both shots were made at ISO 800 because I forgot to change the setting!
Results could have been even better at lower ISO.

[manarak]

then the new 30mm Sigma lens.

ISO 800, f/1.4

this first pic is just handheld with ambient light - scarily sharp if you ask me.
as always, JPEG straight out of the cam, no processing

[manarak]

now with flash

[manarak]

the flash pic was taken at ISO 400.

just think what that lens can do with perfectly lit objects at ISO 100...

[Jake_Sully]

Very nice! Did you give up on shooting RAW?

[manarak]

no... I'm just a lazy bastard

RAW is better of course, but the files take 20MB on the the card in addition of the normal JPEG's 7MB.

Then I don't feel like post-processing every of my pix.

I think I still have a lot of learning to do on the settings when taking a pic, shooting RAW to fix the camera's shortcomings will probably be the next step after fixing my own shortcomings through learning.
But sometimes I wish I shot in RAW because the 550D's white balance is not exactly a winner.

And finally, let's not forget the 550D is an entry-level DSLR, that can only shoot 3 RAW pics in a row - that seriously

[manarak]

...limits my possibilities


Here a pic I shot today in the city.

30mm Sigma bad ass ultra-sharpness:

[manarak]

then the tamron.

first test at 18mm

[manarak]

tamron at 91mm - it is just sharp everywhere

[manarak]

now tamron at 270mm - I could not believe my eyes...