First sigma shot!

Steve400 · 18-07-2007, 13:20

well we finally got a break in the clouds, just enough time to finally get out with the sigma!

i didnt get to play with it for long as the weather didnt last long but i will eventually get used to it and hopefully get a lot better shots!!

trying not to capture my own shadow was a curse at times!!

Steve

**Dabhand16** · 18-07-2007, 18:26

Nice one Steve

This has a real 'airyness' about it.

I take it you are pleased with the lens?

P-E · 18-07-2007, 19:43

Very nice indeed

gsgary · 18-07-2007, 21:28

Nice shot, it a fantastic road to Cushendall road it in 2003 also a great little cafe but not as good as The Copper Kettle at Bushmills

Charlotte · 18-07-2007, 23:28

Nice one Steve

Is this with UV + polariser? Can't tell, 'cos the sky looks a lovely blue with darker blue at the top of the frame (which is characteristic of polarisers), but there's a lot of reflection on the water. This may have been intentional, and the reflections of the clouds on the water does look nice, but it has meant the sea isn't as blue as it would've been without the reflections. This is not a neg point, not in the least, as it really is a lovely image, just an observation + trying to guess if you've received (+ used in this) your filters

Steve400 · 19-07-2007, 14:13

thanks for the replies everyone!

graham, pleased is an understatement! ive already convinced another person to buy one!

gary - the copper kettle, they do some ulster fry in there!!! yea thats whole causeway coast road is unreal, up around torr head is class, some mighty corners!!

charlotte i went against what you said and used the lens before the filters arrived! when the sun came out i had no option

they arrived the day after this was taken but i havent got to use them yet!

Steve

Charlotte · 19-07-2007, 22:34

No-one could be expected to hold off using this new toy, Steve

Steve400 · 20-07-2007, 01:25

ah there was no way i was missing the chance! i see onestop are doing filters now charlotte

do you use the filters no matter what the weather is like? i honestly havent any experience of using them and knowing exactly who/what/when/where/how!
Thanks,
Steve

Charlotte · 20-07-2007, 02:01

The short answer to "using filters no matter what the weather" is 'No'.

Generally I find it convenient just to leave the filters on, and if I do remove them I routinely replace them before I put the camera away after use, ready for next use.

Remember, your UV will also act as an outer layer to protect your lens from dust, dirt, smudges + scratches.

The only time I remove the UV + polariser is, basically, if I need the extra stops, i.e. low light. The polariser will reduce exposure by 1 or 2 stops, depending on the setting you use. By all accounts, the UV does not reduce exposure, but I find it more convenient to unscrew the two filters together, rather than to separate them especially, as I've already mentioned to you, since I always have the polariser on the inside of the UV, so removing just the polariser but replacing the UV, then fiddling about again to replace them back in the original order seems a waste of time to me.

Remember with the polariser you don't have to use it fully polarised. If you want to include reflections but you don't want to remove the filter (or have nowhere to put it down where it won't get dirty or stood on!) then turn the polariser to its minimum strength. Before use, I always check what strength my polariser is set on, by focusing on a window (if poss.) + turn the dial 'til the reflection in the window is minimised. I do it this way because I can never gauge the setting just by looking thru the viewfinder at the subject or sky etc., I just find it much easier + quicker to use a window.

My advice is that if you do remove the filters, put them back on straight after use.

Foxesbrew · 20-07-2007, 16:40

but I find it more convenient to unscrew the two filters together, rather than to separate them especially, as I've already mentioned to you, since I always have the polarizer on the inside of the UV, so removing just the polarizer but replacing the UV, then fiddling about again to replace them back in the original order seems a waste of time to me.

It is a good idea to unscrew these items periodically, then rub the threads with a pencil, before reassembling blow away any surplus graphite.This will help prevent the filters locking together

Steve400 · 21-07-2007, 12:34

ah thats cool!

thanks charlotte & foxesbrew! never heard of that idea with the pencils before!

John F · 21-07-2007, 15:59

Steve, a lovely picture. I am really surprised that you got a sky like that without a polariser. Is it because, unlike film, digital sensors are less sentive to blue. Perhaps thats a question for Charlotte and Charlotte, is it true that the very thin polarisers are not as strong as the thicker ones. I have a thin one and it dose not seem to be very effective on blue skies even with the sun at the side. There is some effect of course but no where near as much as I used to get with my thicker Cokin Polariser. They are both circular polarisers.

John.