ISO3200 Dog Agility with New Sigma 70-200 EX HSM

ISO3200 Dog Agility with New Sigma 70-200 EX HSM · 03:59 PM

Hi everyone,
So I gave the new Sigma 70-200EX a go today with some indoor dog agility. These were practice runs to get dogs ready for the real thing. My wife has been training our dog for about a year and is just starting to get ready for trials.

Some of you may have seen that I sold my old 70-200 APO, the reason I made the switch is that I really needed a fast silent zoom lens. One time I went to take a photo of my dog and he heard the swirl of the lens and it messed him up when he looked up and saw me.

So, being an indoor facility there really isn't much light to take photos of fast moving dogs running around. I basically had to keep it as ISO 3200 to get anywhere close to the shutter speeds I needed to freeze action. The new Sigma focuses pretty fast and was incredibly silent. I will say thought that I do wish I had something that focused even faster and had predictive focus because I just couldn't keep up with the dog when he was close. I'm actually considering trying out a 40d just for this type of shooting to see if would actually help (I know, I'm going to burn in hell for saying that

Ok, onto the photos. The K20 did incredible at ISO3200 (at least IMO)

Our dog Ash and half my wifes body LOL
Pentax K20D ,Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM Penta
1/200s f/2.8 at 110.0mm iso3200

Random Dog
Pentax K20D ,Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM Penta
1/400s f/2.8 at 200.0mm iso3200

Another Random Dog
Pentax K20D ,Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM Penta
1/400s f/2.8 at 145.0mm iso3200

Ash again
Pentax K20D ,Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM Penta
1/320s f/2.8 at 128.0mm iso3200

Pentax K20D ,Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM Penta
1/400s f/2.8 at 105.0mm iso3200

I just missed the focus (or its a little motion blur)
Pentax K20D ,Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM Penta
1/320s f/2.8 at 200.0mm iso3200

Pentax K20D ,Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM Penta
1/320s f/2.8 at 118.0mm iso3200

Again, just a little bit off
Pentax K20D ,Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM Penta
1/320s f/2.8 at 200.0mm iso3200

JMR · 02-21-2009, 04:08 PM

I don't usually go for these type of shots. But I have to say, in each and every shot you managed to convey the exhuberance of the dogs, and in some images, the enthusiasm and excitement displayed by owner and dog for each other. Well done.

JMR

Jewelltrail · 02-21-2009, 08:18 PM

Palmor: That is great work @ 3200 and a nice advertisement for the K20. Of course that beautiful 70-200 f2.8 deserves its due also. I think these shots would print up very nice. Did you use any PPing or noise reduction software for these?

palmor · 02-21-2009, 08:36 PM

Originally posted by JMR

I don't usually go for these type of shots. But I have to say, in each and every shot you managed to convey tthe exhuberance of the dogs, and in some images, the enthusiasm and excitement displayed by owner and dog for each other. Well done.

JMR

Thanks JMR. Wish I could take more credit but all the dogs are so happy it is easy

Originally posted by Jewelltrail

Palmor: That is great work @ 3200 and a nice advertisement for the K20. Of course that beautiful 70-200 f2.8 deserves its due also. I think these shots would print up very nice. Did you use any PPing or noise reduction software for these?

I was actually really surprised at how they came out. I shot ISO 1600 shots at the same venue before but my shutter speed was just way to slow. So this time I decided to shoot all ISO 3200 and see how it went.

I adjusted levels, resized and smart sharpened 25-50% for all of these. For about half I played with the noise reduction filter in Photoshop as 10%. I noticed that the noise reduction filter helped a little bit but it didn't dramatically alter the noise in the photo.

dylansalt · 02-22-2009, 02:45 AM

Subtle Change using Noiseware (way better than using Photoshop)

KrisK10D · 02-22-2009, 05:37 AM

Nice shots. Didn't realise the K20 worked so well at such high ISO's.

Your wife's doing a bang up job training your puppy... who's just gorgeous btw

**Michaelina2** · 02-22-2009, 06:32 AM

Nice series... Shooting critters running at you is pretty tricky.

As an FYI, you might find this interesting...

YouTube - Photographer Sam Abell and the Dolphin Picture

You might also consider bumping the iso up to 6400 (or did you?). With good lighting, it can produce pleasing results, too.

Cheers...

Last edited by Michaelina2; 02-22-2009 at 06:39 AM.

gawan · 02-22-2009, 10:18 AM

These are great in that high ISO! I like the action in the shots!

metroeloise · 02-22-2009, 11:22 AM

OH-OH LBM (Management) issues!

heliphoto · 02-22-2009, 12:07 PM

Very impressive - I'm slowly learning to allow myself to use these higher ISOs on the K20D. Great photos... Love those happy dogs

.

Jimbo · 02-22-2009, 12:32 PM

Great photo's and I to love the 70-200 2.8 sigma. At around 800 ISO on my K10 I may be close to the K20 at 3200 ISO. The wait is almost over. JIM

RoxnDox · 02-23-2009, 11:40 AM

Great shots! We have a Golden Retriever who is smart enough and agile enough for this, *if* we can get her settled down thru enough basic obedience courses... She has a serious case of Stubbornitis (*) to overcome first

I have tried a few shots myself with the K100D and kit lens (yeah I know), none of them were keepers. Since my wife loves to scrapbook the dog pictures, I may have an excuse for some LBA cure.

Jim

(*) She's a rescue dog, previous owner left her locked up alone in basement while working 12+ hour shifts at hospital. Came to us as a very high-energy, insecure, non-socialized adult (2 1/2 yrs) puppy who was *VERY* accustomed to doing whatever she wanted... She's been thru basic obedience 4 times now, and has finally gotten used to her new place in the food chain... Very smart, very stubborn, but not quite as stubborn as me!

palmor · 02-23-2009, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Originally posted by dylansalt

Subtle Change using Noiseware (way better than using Photoshop)

That did do a very good job. I played around with noise ninja a while ago and that also had good results. I printed some of these on 4x6 and you can't see ANY noise at all. I will take a look at Noiseware though, thanks for the tip!

Originally posted by KrisK10D

Nice shots. Didn't realise the K20 worked so well at such high ISO's.

Your wife's doing a bang up job training your puppy... who's just gorgeous btw

Thanks, we get a lot of complements on his colors (Blue Merle).

Originally posted by Michaelina2

Nice series... Shooting critters running at you is pretty tricky.

As an FYI, you might find this interesting...

YouTube - Photographer Sam Abell and the Dolphin Picture

You might also consider bumping the iso up to 6400 (or did you?). With good lighting, it can produce pleasing results, too.

Cheers...

I tried a few ISO 6400 shots but deleted in camera because they didn't look all that great. I do want to fool around with 6400 some more though.

Originally posted by CycloneBandDad

Great shots! We have a Golden Retriever who is smart enough and agile enough for this, *if* we can get her settled down thru enough basic obedience courses... She has a serious case of Stubbornitis (*) to overcome first

I have tried a few shots myself with the K100D and kit lens (yeah I know), none of them were keepers. Since my wife loves to scrapbook the dog pictures, I may have an excuse for some LBA cure.

Jim

(*) She's a rescue dog, previous owner left her locked up alone in basement while working 12+ hour shifts at hospital. Came to us as a very high-energy, insecure, non-socialized adult (2 1/2 yrs) puppy who was *VERY* accustomed to doing whatever she wanted... She's been thru basic obedience 4 times now, and has finally gotten used to her new place in the food chain... Very smart, very stubborn, but not quite as stubborn as me!

That is great that you rescued her! It is also great that you are taking all that time to train her properly

. Too many pets out there with uncommitted owners. Since my wife is doing the agility I've been contemplating seeing if he has any natural ability for herding (he sure likes to herd people around!). Just finding the time for another activity.

Thanks again all
John

dycz · 09-27-2009, 06:30 AM

Very nice. My comment is too late.. hehe. by october I will have the same set-up.. Hopefully my transaction goes well.

pcarfan · 09-27-2009, 07:50 AM

Truly amzing for iso3200, and print will be absolutely afbulous, which is what matters...these are some truly amazing cameras.

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02-21-2009, 04:08 PM	#2
JMR Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 3,332	I don't usually go for these type of shots. But I have to say, in each and every shot you managed to convey the exhuberance of the dogs, and in some images, the enthusiasm and excitement displayed by owner and dog for each other. Well done. JMR Last edited by JMR; 02-22-2009 at 02:49 PM.

02-22-2009, 02:45 AM	#5
dylansalt Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Durban, South Africa Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,052	Subtle Change using Noiseware (way better than using Photoshop) Attached Images

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02-21-2009, 08:18 PM	#3
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Palmor: That is great work @ 3200 and a nice advertisement for the K20. Of course that beautiful 70-200 f2.8 deserves its due also. I think these shots would print up very nice. Did you use any PPing or noise reduction software for these?

02-21-2009, 08:36 PM	#4
palmor Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North of Boston, MA Posts: 798 Original Poster	Originally posted by JMR I don't usually go for these type of shots. But I have to say, in each and every shot you managed to convey tthe exhuberance of the dogs, and in some images, the enthusiasm and excitement displayed by owner and dog for each other. Well done. JMR Thanks JMR. Wish I could take more credit but all the dogs are so happy it is easy Originally posted by Jewelltrail Palmor: That is great work @ 3200 and a nice advertisement for the K20. Of course that beautiful 70-200 f2.8 deserves its due also. I think these shots would print up very nice. Did you use any PPing or noise reduction software for these? I was actually really surprised at how they came out. I shot ISO 1600 shots at the same venue before but my shutter speed was just way to slow. So this time I decided to shoot all ISO 3200 and see how it went. I adjusted levels, resized and smart sharpened 25-50% for all of these. For about half I played with the noise reduction filter in Photoshop as 10%. I noticed that the noise reduction filter helped a little bit but it didn't dramatically alter the noise in the photo.

02-22-2009, 05:37 AM	#6
KrisK10D Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Nice shots. Didn't realise the K20 worked so well at such high ISO's. Your wife's doing a bang up job training your puppy... who's just gorgeous btw

02-22-2009, 06:32 AM	#7
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,300	Nice series... Shooting critters running at you is pretty tricky. As an FYI, you might find this interesting... YouTube - Photographer Sam Abell and the Dolphin Picture You might also consider bumping the iso up to 6400 (or did you?). With good lighting, it can produce pleasing results, too. Cheers... Last edited by Michaelina2; 02-22-2009 at 06:39 AM.

02-22-2009, 10:18 AM	#8
gawan Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Helsinki Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,400	These are great in that high ISO! I like the action in the shots!

02-22-2009, 11:22 AM	#9
metroeloise Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 958	OH-OH LBM (Management) issues!

02-22-2009, 12:07 PM	#10
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Very impressive - I'm slowly learning to allow myself to use these higher ISOs on the K20D. Great photos... Love those happy dogs .

02-22-2009, 12:32 PM	#11
Jimbo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maple Ridge BC Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,368	Great photo's and I to love the 70-200 2.8 sigma. At around 800 ISO on my K10 I may be close to the K20 at 3200 ISO. The wait is almost over. JIM

02-23-2009, 11:40 AM	#12
RoxnDox Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gig Harbor, Washington, USA, Terra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,494	Great shots! We have a Golden Retriever who is smart enough and agile enough for this, if we can get her settled down thru enough basic obedience courses... She has a serious case of Stubbornitis () to overcome first I have tried a few shots myself with the K100D and kit lens (yeah I know), none of them were keepers. Since my wife loves to scrapbook the dog pictures, I may have an excuse for some LBA cure. Jim () She's a rescue dog, previous owner left her locked up alone in basement while working 12+ hour shifts at hospital. Came to us as a very high-energy, insecure, non-socialized adult (2 1/2 yrs) puppy who was VERY accustomed to doing whatever she wanted... She's been thru basic obedience 4 times now, and has finally gotten used to her new place in the food chain... Very smart, very stubborn, but not quite as stubborn as me!

02-23-2009, 07:05 PM	#13
palmor Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North of Boston, MA Posts: 798 Original Poster	Thanks for the feedback everyone! Originally posted by dylansalt Subtle Change using Noiseware (way better than using Photoshop) That did do a very good job. I played around with noise ninja a while ago and that also had good results. I printed some of these on 4x6 and you can't see ANY noise at all. I will take a look at Noiseware though, thanks for the tip! Originally posted by KrisK10D Nice shots. Didn't realise the K20 worked so well at such high ISO's. Your wife's doing a bang up job training your puppy... who's just gorgeous btw Thanks, we get a lot of complements on his colors (Blue Merle). Originally posted by Michaelina2 Nice series... Shooting critters running at you is pretty tricky. As an FYI, you might find this interesting... YouTube - Photographer Sam Abell and the Dolphin Picture You might also consider bumping the iso up to 6400 (or did you?). With good lighting, it can produce pleasing results, too. Cheers... I tried a few ISO 6400 shots but deleted in camera because they didn't look all that great. I do want to fool around with 6400 some more though. Originally posted by CycloneBandDad Great shots! We have a Golden Retriever who is smart enough and agile enough for this, if we can get her settled down thru enough basic obedience courses... She has a serious case of Stubbornitis () to overcome first I have tried a few shots myself with the K100D and kit lens (yeah I know), none of them were keepers. Since my wife loves to scrapbook the dog pictures, I may have an excuse for some LBA cure. Jim () She's a rescue dog, previous owner left her locked up alone in basement while working 12+ hour shifts at hospital. Came to us as a very high-energy, insecure, non-socialized adult (2 1/2 yrs) puppy who was VERY accustomed to doing whatever she wanted... She's been thru basic obedience 4 times now, and has finally gotten used to her new place in the food chain... Very smart, very stubborn, but not quite as stubborn as me! That is great that you rescued her! It is also great that you are taking all that time to train her properly . Too many pets out there with uncommitted owners. Since my wife is doing the agility I've been contemplating seeing if he has any natural ability for herding (he sure likes to herd people around!). Just finding the time for another activity. Thanks again all John

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09-27-2009, 06:30 AM	#14
dycz Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 180	Very nice. My comment is too late.. hehe. by october I will have the same set-up.. Hopefully my transaction goes well.

09-27-2009, 07:50 AM	#15
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978	Truly amzing for iso3200, and print will be absolutely afbulous, which is what matters...these are some truly amazing cameras.