All Forum Comments
Comment by simonkit posted on Pentax P&S ?? at 29/05/2010 - 15:55
To be quite honest your original choice of P&S camera was a good one - Pentax don't do anything as well as the Ixus range, your best bet is get an updated version !!
This one perhaps...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001T9NH5G/ref=asc_df_B001T9NH5G667187?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=7974&creativeASIN=B001T9NH5G
Simon
This one perhaps...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001T9NH5G/ref=asc_df_B001T9NH5G667187?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=7974&creativeASIN=B001T9NH5G
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Pentax P&S ?? at 29/05/2010 - 13:08
The reviews do suggest that the Sigma 10-20 has an "unusual" distortion pattern and I'm sure its this that both myself and Whelmed noticed.
By most accounts the Pentax 12-24 suffers lower distortion levels but perhaps more significantly has a more "normal" distortion pattern - I can't confirm this through experience as I haven't owned one (yet).
Looking around forums etc there are lots of very content Sigma 10-20 owners as there are DA 12-24 owners so it's probably just a personal preference issue. I thin uuntil you've tried an UWA you'll never know if the "effect" is for you or not
Simon
By most accounts the Pentax 12-24 suffers lower distortion levels but perhaps more significantly has a more "normal" distortion pattern - I can't confirm this through experience as I haven't owned one (yet).
Looking around forums etc there are lots of very content Sigma 10-20 owners as there are DA 12-24 owners so it's probably just a personal preference issue. I thin uuntil you've tried an UWA you'll never know if the "effect" is for you or not
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Returning to the world of Wide Angle at 28/05/2010 - 10:17
RR wrote:
I sold my Da 12-24mm in order to get the Da 14mm. I was just too frustrated by the minimum focus distance of the 12-24mm. When you're shooting this wide, a strong foreground is often needed I find & you need to get pretty close to help fill the frame. I also found the Da14mm to be more flare resistant. They are roughly the same size/weight so that isn't a factor.
So don't discount the Da 14mm if you can find one at the right price.
Could I ask what dissapointed you about the Sigma 14mm? I've just bought one of these & am ok with it thus far example shot. I should try & use it more, but I'm enamoured with my Sigma 20mm & tend to reach for that first.
I read reviews on the Sigma 14mm before buying and most were very positive, the one I tried was very soft in the corners even at F11 and seemed to have some focusing issues - probably a poor copy but I'm not taking the chance with another one.I sold my Da 12-24mm in order to get the Da 14mm. I was just too frustrated by the minimum focus distance of the 12-24mm. When you're shooting this wide, a strong foreground is often needed I find & you need to get pretty close to help fill the frame. I also found the Da14mm to be more flare resistant. They are roughly the same size/weight so that isn't a factor.
So don't discount the Da 14mm if you can find one at the right price.
Could I ask what dissapointed you about the Sigma 14mm? I've just bought one of these & am ok with it thus far example shot. I should try & use it more, but I'm enamoured with my Sigma 20mm & tend to reach for that first.
I'll have a look again at the Pentax 14mm as I agree completely with you on the need for a strong foreground with an UWA, I'm still leaning towards the 12-24 at the moment though
Comment by simonkit posted on Returning to the world of Wide Angle at 27/05/2010 - 22:12
Anvh wrote:
Simon, did you like the focal length if so there is a Pentax DA14mm f/2.8 you know, might that be something?
Hi Stefan,Simon, did you like the focal length if so there is a Pentax DA14mm f/2.8 you know, might that be something?
Yes the focal length was appealing. I've read reviews on the DA 14mm though and they don't seem too positive, I remember that one even mentioned the DA 12-24 being better in all respects - including distortion and sharpness, unfortunately I can't remember which review or I would post the link.
After trying the Sigma 10-20 & the Sigma 14mm F2.8 I'm 100% decided on the DA12-24mm, it's just a case of finding one in my price range
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Returning to the world of Wide Angle at 27/05/2010 - 20:01
Just a follow-up to my original post...
My return to the world of wide angle was extremely short lived - the Sigma 14mm F2.8 was so disappointing I immediately sent it back for a refund !!
The DA 12-24 is now the only wide angle I'm interested in, unfortunately current pricing puts it beyond what I'm prepared to pay as I'm unlikely to use it frequently
Simon
My return to the world of wide angle was extremely short lived - the Sigma 14mm F2.8 was so disappointing I immediately sent it back for a refund !!
The DA 12-24 is now the only wide angle I'm interested in, unfortunately current pricing puts it beyond what I'm prepared to pay as I'm unlikely to use it frequently
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Returning to the world of Wide Angle at 27/05/2010 - 18:51
I have the 55-300 and rate it highly, however considering your requirements "sports photography" I'm not 100% sure it's ideally suited as it can hunt slightly with focus at the long end - always gets there but it might just miss a few important moments
Simon
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on FA 100-300 vs DA 55-300 at 27/05/2010 - 18:47
Just as good - I used to own the GX10 (the K10D clone) which was also very good
Simon
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on gx-20 .....how good ? as good as k20? at 27/05/2010 - 08:17
PeteL wrote:
It was quite a smooth, powerful ride as i recall.
Yes i was impressed with your Penmon Lighthouse shot as you got the tide just right so that the pathway leading to the lighthouse is completely uncovered. All of the aerial ones i have taken the tide has been high so the lighthouse is completely surrounded by water. They don`t look half as good as your`s. I will have to check tide times next time i book a flight!
Best Regards - Pete
The Piper was suprisingly smooth, I was expecting something a little more eventful to be honest.simonkit wrote:
Simon
Could be, I saw a green/white Piper Arrow at Coffi Airport yesterday that is the same colour as Mona Flying Clubs one. It carried an American Registration No, I am not sure without checking what Reg Mona`s aircraft is. When i flew in it around 3 years ago it was owned by a doctor but operated as a group aircraft so any member could fly it just paying for the fuel and related costs.PeteL wrote:
i have been up with them was a flight around Anglesey in their Piper Arrow. Unfortunately i was in a rear seat on that occasion and was trying to shoot through badly scratched perspex. Lots of PP there! Still it was free and we did do a complete circuit of the island. All 125 miles in 1 hour!!!
Regards - Pete
That's exactly what we did Pete, same plane I'm sure, the wife was in the back though and the front windows were pretty good. We just missed out the end section of Abermenai point, pretty much covered the rest. the pilot did a nice 360 around Penmon, hence the perspective on the shot - the Gyro wasn't too happy thoughi have been up with them was a flight around Anglesey in their Piper Arrow. Unfortunately i was in a rear seat on that occasion and was trying to shoot through badly scratched perspex. Lots of PP there! Still it was free and we did do a complete circuit of the island. All 125 miles in 1 hour!!!
Regards - Pete
Simon
It was quite a smooth, powerful ride as i recall.
Yes i was impressed with your Penmon Lighthouse shot as you got the tide just right so that the pathway leading to the lighthouse is completely uncovered. All of the aerial ones i have taken the tide has been high so the lighthouse is completely surrounded by water. They don`t look half as good as your`s. I will have to check tide times next time i book a flight!
Best Regards - Pete
The timing was pure luck although as you say the low tide certainly helps the Penmon shot
thanks
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on A flight around the Isle of Anglesey at 25/05/2010 - 22:34
I also use PTlens, excellent software...
I also previously owned the Sigma 10-20 but personally didn't like the distortion "characteristics" so sold it - PTlens whilst great for other lenses wasn't really able to fully correct it either.
Simon
I also previously owned the Sigma 10-20 but personally didn't like the distortion "characteristics" so sold it - PTlens whilst great for other lenses wasn't really able to fully correct it either.
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Wide angle lens distortion at 25/05/2010 - 12:13
You guys have clearly not tried models such as the new I-10....
regards
Simon