Ultra-wide Angle ideas

[DonSchap]

In recent months, I have been adding ultra-wide angle to my A700 to get a better indoor shot and some landscapes that were next to impossible using panorama ideas.

In my inventory, I currently have the:

• Samyang MF 8mm f/3.5 "Fisheye" ($379) (Full Frame)
• SIGMA AF 10-20mm f/4-5.6 DC EX ($499) (APS-C-only lens)
• TAMRON SP AF 14mm f/2.8 LD "Rectilinear" ($1000) (Full Frame)

which provide quite an array of choices, but having shot the 8mm f/3.5, I have to say that it being a Manual Focus lens does not seem to be much of a problem. The difference between "infinity" and 10-feet is next to nothing. The Depth of Field (DOF) is nearly infinite as it is and it delivers about a 170-degree Field of View (FOV) - basically everything your own eyes can see with peripheral vision.

In my estimation, if you need a "capture it all" lens, this is the one to get. You can save a ton of money and it delivers a "nifty-looking" shot.

Out the front window ...
8mm-example-1_HDR2-88k.jpg

3-pc panorama South Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL
8mm_Panorama1-South-Lincoln-Park.jpg

Chicago Air & Water Show, North Avenue Beach, 3-pc panorama, looking south - 180 degrees
North-Ave-Beach_Panorama1-800.jpg

[aa2]

hi don, you've got quite good uwa lenses there....i got also a sigma10-20, it seems like it's producing soft images.... what's your take on that??

cheers

[DonSchap]

The only real solution that SIGMA seems to understand is sending the lens back for repair. They will straighten it out under their alignment routine. The QC alignment just kind of crappy and 1 or 2 out of 10 get it right, on the production benches.

I also had to submit my SIGMA AF 10-20mm f/4-5.6 DC EX for calibration due to a soft shot. Took about three weeks, under warranty repair.

Good luck!

[aa2]

ok don thank you very much