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Anonymous
Sigma 28mm 1.8 on a D200. Looks pretty good. Nice bokeh, not bad for a $240 lens.
>> Anonymous
That's in the California Hotel in Anaheim, CA. We're closing in on you.
>> Anonymous
i luvs me some primes
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
Nice spherical aperture then, I see. I'd like a good wide prime that was closer to 'normal' on a crop sensor some day.
>> Anonymous
indeed! dont try the d300 or d3!! you will cream yourself and sell your car to get them. = ]
>> Anonymous
>>96168
yes, i have the nikon 50mm 1.8. its more of an 85mm with the crop, the 28 rocks!
>> Anonymous
the 24mm f1.8 is arguably better, BUT I have to agree, Sigma's 20, 24 and 28mm f1.8 lenses are quite underrated and cheap for what you get!
>> Anonymous
This thing is a macro? :/
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>96864

No, but I believe that one of the third party manufacturers are bringing out a wide (closer to normal on a crop sensor) macro lens if you are looking for one.
>> Anonymous
>>96868
Oh, nah. I Just did a search on a Sigma 28mm and it only showed up some Macro.

Macro is what I don't want.
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>96870

Ah! You might be interested in this then: http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_30_14/index.htm

The 28mm isn't a true macro lens though I don't know why the inclusion of that feature would put you off.
>> Anonymous
why is the 24 better u think? I already have the nikon 12-24, so i thought 28 would give me somewhat great standard lens with fast 1.8.
And yes its macro, who wouldn't want that feature? Its phenomenal, it gets ridiculously close. You can literally get as close to something as your hood will touch and it will focus on it, i love it.
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
I think maybe it is worth pointing out that just because a lens is designated "macro" doesn't mean it can't still focus to infinity like other lenses. Even dedicated true macro lenses like the Canon EF-S 60mm have been used for portraits and so on.
>> Anonymous
>>96872
Well I was under the impression that a Macro only yields super terrific results when used...well, closely.

>>96879
I'm not much of a close up shooter. I like sort of standard lenses, and right now Nikon's 35mm f/2 AF is out of the question, since I already have one--just without the auto focus. I forget if it's an AI or AiS or whatever :o
>> Vincent
>>96882
Macro lenses are usually the sharpest lenses out there. so you're information was a bit false.

Also All Macro means anymore is that the reproduction ratio is good enough that when printed on a 4x6 if the object is = to or Larger than Life, then it can get labeled as a "Macro" lens.

Aka why the sigma 20,24,28, tamron 28-75 and tons of other "Non 1:1 macro" lenses get that label.
>> Anonymous
>>96887
No kiddin? Well this sounds a bit good.

I guess it would do fine in portraits, then.
>> Vincent
>>96889
They usually do, but the 20 and 24mm f1.8's Sigma have are a tad too wide for portraits (They introduce the wide angle distortion that is usually considered unflattering for people shots)
>> Anonymous
>>96887

Seconding this. Macro lenses are amongst the sharpest and nicest lenses I've used. For some reason all the manufacturers manage to make good ones and don't produce cheap or crappy ones. Maybe because of the limited and specialist demand for them means there isn't a market for cheap crappy ones like the budget zooms.

The 60mm macro works out well for portraits on a crop body as well as being useful for macro work. Might even be a little too sharp for some people's tastes (not very flattering or forgiving of imperfect skin) and require a little softening in PP. Those lenses are made to pick up all the detail.
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>96892

Ooops. That was me.
>> Anonymous
I have to agree that my 28 is a great portrait lens too. It doesnt really give you any distortion, its not that wide for that. The only thing is that you have to get somewhat close to the subject to get that creamy bokeh you want, and you will hear the "whoa, back up will ya", then you will tell them, "please stfu, im the photographer". and when you show them the pic they are like "omg, its so pretty, wow!". lol

All in all, its a great lens, even gives you macro, big 77 filter, big lens, great soft bokeh, all for under $300 new. U cant beat that.
>> Anonymous
Plus, on a 1.5x crop sensor, a 28mm lens works out to 42mm equivalent. Guess what focal length is actually the closest to what a normal lens is supposed to be on 35mm film? 43mm. Just a millimeter longer.
>> Anonymous
>>96897
Sounds great! Got any more examples? The ones on Flickr make me want to hurt small animals.
>> Anonymous
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>>96872
I just got this lens, and so far I'm really enjoying it.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakePENTAX CorporationCamera ModelPENTAX K100DCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsSensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern674Focal Length (35mm Equiv)45 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution240 dpiVertical Resolution240 dpiImage Created2007:12:02 16:49:03Exposure Time1/30 secF-Numberf/1.4Exposure ProgramAperture PriorityISO Speed Rating400Lens Aperturef/1.4Exposure Bias-0.3 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length30.00 mmColor Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width800Image Height534RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardContrastNormalSaturationLowSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeMacro
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>96956

Just to prove the point about the versatility of these 'macro' designated lenses, these shots (not mine) were all taken with the same macro lens (Canon 180mm):

http://www.pbase.com/coonrad/image/87174094/original
http://www.pbase.com/coonrad/image/87174093/original
http://www.pbase.com/coonrad/image/87174898
http://www.pbase.com/coonrad/image/87174929

I've heard people using it for sports and other things too. Think of them as good lenses that happen to be able to focus very close and produce life size reproductions, if you want to.
>> Anonymous
>>96997
Very nice. A lot of clarity there.
>> Anonymous
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some more sigma 28mm 1.8 pics for those of you who wanted it. sorry, i just went out in my yard, nothing spectacular.
>> Anonymous
>>97041
saturation seems to be OVER 9000!!!!!!!
>> Anonymous
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>>97041
one more.
>> Anonymous
>>97043
lol. im tired. cs3 is being ghey. ;3
>> Anonymous
>>97041
Awesome stuff. Any examples with people? I'm crossing my fingers here.
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
How does this lens compare with the Sigma 30mm 1.4? Those two would seem good choices for a crop body camera.
>> Anonymous
>>97448
30mm f1.4 lacks the extreme close focus, BUT its f1.4!
ITs not really for Fancy bokeh in every pic, its more of a utility lens, for when you absolutely NEED that f1.4, It has a soft roll in and roll out of its OOF areas (which makes it not as dramatic as say a 50mm f1.4 or 85mm f1.8

It works well stopped down too, But the F1.4 is where it shines (when AF is dead on, buy it new so you can return it if AF is an issue)
>> Anonymous
>>97470
>It has a soft roll in and roll out of its OOF areas

Sounds nice, although I'd take the 28/1.8 over the 30/1.4. A stop of light is easy to compensate for with digital, but close focusing isn't.
>> Anonymous
>>97501
True, But HSM isn't easy to fake either :)
If you don't have an SB-600 or SB-800 to AF assist, the HSM is really nice indoors.

Also the 30mm f1.4 is much much smaller.
lots of tradeoff's, I have the 30mm f1.4 and a 24mm f1.8. I like and use both, but the 30mm wins for people shots.
24mm f1.8 wins for being such a multipurpose lens
>> Anonymous
ill vote too for the sigma 30.
its a wicked lens on a crop camera and having HSM is nice. i had a sigma 24-70 non-HSM that was noisy as fuck and also slow so having it is nice.

also, 1.4 kicks ass. nothing comes close ay, and its a great match to the 50 1.4 and eventually the 85 1.8 when i get it.
>> Anonymous
>>97506
Manual focusing doesn't make any noise, either.
>> Anonymous
>>97521
wut?
>> Anonymous
>>97524
The advantage of HSM is that it's virtually silent, compared to other, louder autofocus systems.
>> Anonymous
>>97526
Since when does any lens make noise when manually focusing?
>> Anonymous
yes very good results
>> Anonymous
>>97528

Good luck trying to manually focus a 1.4 with your DSLR.