jupitersolo

They are hit and miss, and resell sucks because it's a thrid party lens. Just read the blog about the new 35 1.4 Sigma on borrowlenses or lensrental about them stepping it up.

That could be a curse, I love my wife, but I enjoy photography because it gets me, my me time, and time with friends.

srika

I wonder what version they are talking about - I have a 'newer' one, I am not sure when it was released but the way to tell is - their new models no longer have what used to be the Sigma-hallmark matte-type finish. The new ones are a 'regular' looking black metal.

srika

also - I was stunned by how sharp this lens was at 1.4 -

here are a couple examples at f/1.4:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/delobbo...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/delobbo...n/photostream/

here is one at f/14:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/delobbo...n/photostream/

all with the 5Dc

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the input man. Do you think the lens and your camera needs to be calibrated for it. I heard of people saying they did that and it was worth it.

is300eater

What about micro adjustments?

srika

I don't know - it's not always having trouble. I mean, if I had to do that, it would NEVER focus right, no?

MWalsh9152

I hear ya on the resale value, but its great for buying used, and you have a better idea what youre getting IQ wise

As for the wife, I always shoot by myself....so if she gets into this, it could actually get me some me time with her, which I seldom get.

It could help with my lack of motivation to get out and shoot too

MWalsh9152

every version of every lens. Its a Sigma problem not a 50 1.4 problem

srika

oh.

Mizouse

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

I remember IS300 had to get his Sigma re calibrated so it sounds about right

is300eater

my issue wasn't a focusing problem, the lenses (2) weren't compatible with my a77 Sony had changed something with their mount on newer bodies, I sent it in, they re-chipped it. They didn't have this issue with my older body-a900...

as for lenses with issues... from what I've read... It happens, 3rd party or not... But yes, I have also heard that Sigma has had QC issues in the past... not sure about now.

srika

ok so basically, avoid Sigma.

glad I didn't get that memo, I would have missed out on some really good shots.

is300eater

But I LOVE my Sigma 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4

no focusing issues with them at all (other than the incompatible issue with the 85mm)

srika

so what exactly are we arriving at here?

is300eater

IMO... it's one of those things that if enough people say so... therefore, it is. People tend to remember reading about the negative things more than the positives.

I currently have 5 Sigma lenses, and I'm fairly happy with them... The 70-200mm f2.8 HSM does have some issues, but then again... I dropped that lens once. It was kinda ugly... I think I mentioned it once here in this thread.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

I guess try at your own risk.

Mizouse

srika

another friend had a glance at the RX1 discussion on my FB page..... now I think he is getting one too.

jupitersolo

one or one hundred?

srika

it's a question I make sure to ask and clarify... RX1

Mizouse

So you said "he is getting one too".

Too as in you just got one?

srika

friend #1
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...postcount=5441

srika

btw I feel like clarifying, I don't post about any of this kind of stuff to impress anyone, I post about it because it's interesting.

jupitersolo

I don't worry about that stuff, I missed the other and thought you got one as well...

Mizouse

Glad to see I wasn't the only One

srika

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

Srika is like right now a little brother bragging about his older brother getting a car and putting an exhaust on it.

srika

srika

Flickr EXPLORE tips - Explore isn't everything but I still thought this was curious to read and think about.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironrodart/6144091654/
Flickr EXPLORE and how to get Explored on Flickr


Explore is Flickr's way of showcasing the most interesting photos within a given point in time -- usually over a 24 hour period.

Flickr receives about 6,000 uploads every minute -- That's about 8.6 million photos a day! From this huge group of images, the Flickr Interestingness algorithm chooses only 500 images to showcase for each 24-hour period. That's only one image in every 17,000!

How to find out if your photo was Explored by Flickr: Big Huge Labs has a web-based app for that, called "Scout": bighugelabs.com/scout.php
How to get explored on Flickr: Flickr says, "There are lots of elements that make something 'interesting' (or not) on Flickr. Where the clickthroughs are coming from; who comments on it and when; who marks it as a favorite; its tags and many more things which are constantly changing. Interestingness changes over time, as more and more fantastic content and stories are added to Flickr."

The flickr group, Secrets of Explore has discussions on what are the measurements of Flickr's "interestingness". They have also included a link to Flickr's Patent Application that explains how Explore chooses images (if you want to be totally bored and confused ;o) .

Fellow Flickrite, Thomas Hawk, has several suggestions from his Digital Connection blog about gaining popularity on Flickr (much of which applies to Interestingness): "1) Take great pictures. ...quality does matter. If you want people to look at your stuff, make your stuff worth looking at. 2) You get one shot a day...that matters. Choose it wisely. Make sure that the last shot you upload is your best. ...If you upload more than 5 at a time make sure your last five are your best and your last one is the best of the best. 3) Despite the top secretness formula of interestingness, it is really not that complicated to understand in broad terms. Your photos are deemed interesting when they have activity. When people tag your photos, comment on your photos, view your photos, leave notes on your photos, and especially when they favorite your photos you increase your interestingness rank. 4) Fav lots of photos. Be very liberal with your favs. ...If you see a photo you like on Flickr, fav it. Don’t be shy. It’s as easy as clicking on the little star above someone’s photo. Favs mean more to other Flickr users than comments or tags or notes or anything. 5) Post your photo to lots of groups and participate ...Don’t spam the groups, but if you have a photo of a bridge, put it in the bridge group. 7) Tag your photos religiously. Flickr allows users to search by tags (and especially to then rank their search by interestingness). 8) Above all, have fun on Flickr. Never take it too seriously." [Note: Numbers used are mine, not Thomas'.]
From the Good 'ish Explore Missed group comes this quick advice:

1. Choose your uploads wisely. Uploading 5 images a day won't help that 1 amazing shot.
2. Tags! Tag your images and let search do it's thing! SEO sucks!
3. Don't put your image in more than 5 groups, the more groups you are in, the less chance your photo will be explored. [Make note that Thomas Hawk's advice of posting to "lots" of groups is more about gaining "popularity" on Flickr and not about getting Explored.]
4. Love people in hopes that they will return the favor and love you back. Generosity is key.
[Most of this mirrors what Hawk has said, but in fewer words. They just forgot the most important ingredient: Take great photos!]

Explore Don'ts:
1. Do not re-post your image over and over again on the same day (moving it up in time so that more of your contacts will see it and comment on it). It's okay to delete an image and re-post it the same day, or to take an old image and re-post it under a new title, to see if you think you can develop more interest in that image. What Interestingness will ban you on is using the Actions > View EXIF info > edit "Posted to Flickr" time to re-post your image on Flickr to the current time in order to have it reappear to your Contact over and over again throughout the day. This is a form of spamming. I do this occasionally on old photos that I want to revive (if I think it never received the exposure it deserved), but don't do on new photos or Interestingness will ban you.

2. Do not place your photos in the groups that force you to comment on images within the group, i.e. the "Post 1, Comment on 5 - or get banned" groups. Groups like 1-2-3 are okay because they ask you to make three comments for every image you post, but they do not require you to make those comments.

3. Do not post your photo to more than five (5) groups. This has already been mentioned, but it is a good idea to post your image in at least two or three groups for Interestingness sake. BTW, posting to a few more than five groups will not completely ban you from Explore, but it will lower your Interestingness score. I often increase my number of groups after the image is no longer eligible for Explore, because placing the photo with the right group (look for group names using keywords that describe your image) can often increase it's search engine rankings.

Above image adapted from 'Stars, Milky Way, Jackson Lake, Grand Teton NP'.

is300eater

hmmm it says: "3. Don't put your image in more than 5 groups, the more groups you are in, the less chance your photo will be explored. [Make note that Thomas Hawk's advice of posting to "lots" of groups is more about gaining "popularity" on Flickr and not about getting Explored.]"

but of all the photos I have that have been "Explored", they were in a lot more than 5 groups... maybe even 3-5 times more

srika

those are guidelines - it's not necessarily predictive

srika

here is #1 explore for today:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/76918520@N00/8219363533

have a look at more explores from today:
http://fiveprime.org/flickr_hvmnd.cg...nterestingness

MWalsh9152

my walkaround lens is a Sigma 24-60 I LOVE that lens...only thing I love even more about it is that I only paid like $275 for it. My UWA was a Sigma 10-20 on my crop

If I ever decide to step up from my 70-200 F4L non IS it will likely be to the Sigma 2.8 OS which sells new for about half as much as the same Canon
doubtful that will happen though, Id rather spend the money elsewhere

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

srika

fun in the life of rasidel

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

Hey srika, that camulet is on sale 50 bucks off with free shipping

going to order it on saturday.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

trying out a very cheap Chinese lighting setup


If it breaks it breaks but need something to start with. Most going to be used indoor, outside might need somebody to hold it. after i feel comfortable with my light experience then ill get a better setup.

Mizouse

thanks, for the link, didnt want to have to google it after you mentioned it.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

Lol. Not that bored at work?