New lens!

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Well two days ago I got something veeeerrrryyy special in the mail.

[Rifleman]

So what camera is this going on, and just how slow is the lens ?  ??? It looks like a Canon but I'm not able to make out the model......... XT 350D ?

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Oh yeah, sorry... it's a RebelXT

Well since it's best to shoot props at 1/125 and under, it really isn't a big deal.  And with the extra weight you'll want to have a monopod/tripod anyway.  

In direct sunlight it is still easy to get 1/2000, but when the clouds cover the sun you'll be in the 1/500 and under range.  And that's at ISO 100.

I have a nice monopod and today I was out shooting pics of my parents puppy playing outside and got a lot of good shots at as low as 1/50 with the monopod.  

I mean, that plant picture was at 1/80 and there is no camera shake.  



And it is supposed to be partially sunny tomorrow when I go to shoot some airplanes so I'll "update" my review.  

[Rifleman]

OK, so when I asked about the speed of the lens, I wasn't refering to the shutterspeeds which you can shoot at on given days.......a lens speed is defined by its mazimum aperture........what is the lowest F-stop you can attain on this lens at min and max zoom ?

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Oh rats, sorry 'bout that, I thought I included that in the original post...  it's F/4-6.3.

[Omag 2.0]

Holy cow! I'm eagerly awaiting your aviation shots with that monster! Should be pretty sweet!

You know... I envy you...  ;D

[Rifleman]

Thanks for the update on the lens speed,......now this explains a bit of the $1100......
Now for the kicker since I'm wanting more from  my camera too, .....is the Sigma fully compatible with all the camera features ?  Things like priorities... A, S, P.....etc, and can you use depth of field preview ?
For myself, I don't want to be limited to shooting at only Aperture Priority or Manual as this can sometimes be a distraction away from composition during fast action if you have to constantly read numbers in the viewfinder .....especially when light levels change a couple of EV's from east to west, or north to south during flypasts.....
I look forward to your reports and results to aid my decision on a Sigma in my future..........

[F3Hadlow]

I was looking at the Bigma recently as a posible replacement for my current lens (more reach) but I decided against it due to the heavy weight which would make handling it at it's aperture settings a difficult task on faster stuff as shutter speeds will be too low if the weather isn't great (and this is the UK!).

However it's not a bad choice, it certainly has a lot going for it and I wish you happy hunting

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Well guys, I haven't headed out just yet as I'm giving these clouds some time to move away... but at this moment it's awefully dark out.  Which is actually just what I want!  I really want to see how this lens does in poor weather conditions.  If figure, if I can pull out great pictures in terrible weather, sunny days should be a snap, right? lol


As per camera functions... yeah you can shoot in any mode you like, Av, Tv, Manual, auto... I haven't tried DOF preview, but will look at it today.  I don't see why anything else would NOT work.  


Heathaze...  Wow, I'm quite honored to hear you were at least considering this lens, provided the incredible photos you take!  Cool!

As I mentioned earlier, right now we've got a thick overcast layer... the best it's supposed to get is onlyl 70% cloud coverage. lol  

but yeah, I'll start another thread after I get back with my pictures from the day