| Review of: Sigma APO DG 135-400mm F4.5-5.6 by hoanpham on Sun March 24, 2013 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 63323
Reviews: 15
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My copy is sharp from wide open, but only after fine focus adjustment.
At 300mm, it gives brighter images, over exposed by ~2/3, less contrast.
I am not expecting much when using it first time, but the results are good to very good, especially at 400mm.
The results need some post processing to bring the best out, typical increase/normalize black level.
Samples follow shortly.
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| Review of: Tamron Adaptall-2 SP Mirror (55BB) 500mm F8 by hoanpham on Tue March 6, 2012 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 109484
Reviews: 32
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Ring bokeh can be used in selected cases, not need to be negative.
Sharp overall. Very close focus distance to be a 500mm lens. Easy to focus within 20m/60feet, but harder at near infinity. SR very useful for hand held.
This lens is not for beginners.
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| Review of: Sigma EX DC HSM 30mm F1.4 by hoanpham on Fri January 13, 2012 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 94519
Reviews: 31
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As for AF lenses, you need to AF fine adjust before taken photos.
A very good low light lens at normal focal on crop sensor. Very sharp wide open, far better than the FA50/1.4. Razor sharp and very good contrast at f2.8. Beautiful bokeh. Very good for object isolation.
This lens has definitely field curvature, but when I am aware of this property, it's not a big problem - may be some challenge in group shots or something flat that one need to have sharpness in whole frame. Since AF points are not covered entire frame, I tested the (extreme) edges' sharpness manually. Everything in focus at edges are almost razor sharp with some minor CA - and at f1.4!
Can this lens replace the FA35/2? Yes and no. FA35/2 is lighter, smaller, aperture ring, FF, and no field curvature. This one has f1.4.
I don't have FA31 to compare, but price/performace ratio is hard to beat this lens.
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| Review of: Pentacon MC Auto (M42) 29mm F2.8 by hoanpham on Tue November 22, 2011 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 187447
Reviews: 17
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The text imprinted in my lens: "PENTACON auto 2.8/29 MULTI COATING". in M42 mount.
I got this lens in a lens lot. The lens was in bad shape: loose base, dirty, scratches, loose front element.
After cleaning, tighten all screws i can find, clean and tighten the front element, it turns out to be a totally different lens.
In spite of bad reputation of the lens, I found mine is good, and better than the Tokina 28/2.8. It is ok sharp wide open, sharper one click down.
In longer distance, 3+ meters, it is a bit difficult to have exact focus. Mine is going slightly beyond infinity.
Bokeh at 2.8, f4, f5.6 has insignificant different at closer distance. The lens is usable/good at f2.8-f4-f5.6. While the Tokina 28/2.8 is soft wide open and still get soft one or two click down, this lens delivers higher contrast, not as soft, and sharper step down one click. Generally good enough for indoor use.
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| Review of: Sigma DC HSM 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 by hoanpham on Sat February 5, 2011 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 100642
Reviews: 31
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My first copy fail to auto focus, dead motor. I have now the 2nd copy. I tested with the 1st copy in manual focus. IQ is very good, same as this one. I just uploaded some pics at 8mm, see for yourself.
Cons: Except for the filter issue, none so far, as long as I keep the subject within limitation of UWA.
All in all, I m very content with this lens. Highly recommend.
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| Review of: Sigma APO DG HSM 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 by hoanpham on Sun September 19, 2010 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 35796
Reviews: 13
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Got more than 1000 shoots of this lens under my first review. The first 200 were at wide open and at 400mm to see how the lens performs. Those pics were less details at 400mm wide open. However when I stepped down to f8 and increased iso, the lens was much better. I now mainly use 250-400 range for 1/2 or 3/4 portraits. the lens produces excellent bokeh at this range. 120-250 range is for general use when details are needed.
I need the best image quality and have to keep at f8 around 120-320mm. Daylight, shadow and cloudy is fine. It's a zoom, not a prime, and for it's price, the lens is totally ok - just keep around the sweet spot of the lens. You need a good tripod when shooting wildelife in dim light conditions.
Edit: I have also the OS version since summer 2010.
OS works great for this lens. Personal I think OS of this lens is better than in-body SR. range 120-320mm @f8 gives very good IQ. Longer end, especially @400 and wide open, that's the weak spot. However i m not expected using much of 400mm in great distance. Reviews of this lens score low at other sites, but I m looking for 'zoom/bokeh' for portraits and this lens is good.
Edit: Now several thousands images with both lenses, but I have to admit that OS version does give me more freedom.
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| Review of: Sigma DC Macro OS HSM 17-70mm F2.8-4 by hoanpham on Wed June 9, 2010 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 133269
Reviews: 28
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I have this lens the day after it was available at the store. Shoot 1800 images with this. Very good image quality. At the wide end, there is visible CA, less contrast. I shoot indoor mostly with this lens. At the first look of images at 17mm, 3-5 feet distance, high contrast, they seem blur. Post-processing does help.
I do recommend as one of travel lenses. You may need extra battery when using this lens.
Edit: Truely a work horse! Now taken more than 20,000 images with it, where half indoor with flash @f5.6, and half outdoor. In spite of color rending is not as good as pentax's, it still is my first choice as single lens for a short trip, and as a piece of my travel kit for longer stay.
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