Posted March 03, 2011
Thanks :)
Your last point though is really identifying what this lens its - its giving you a single do all lens, which as you say is great for travel when you want to travel light and when photography is probably not the main reason for the travel. Quality isn't really what this lens is about its the convenience of having a do all lens.
Cost
Stability
Weight
You can pick two only. If you want cheap and stable its going to have to be heavy - its also probably going to be a second hand tripod with a 3 way head instead of a ballhead. It's hard to say though since a lot of this depends on how much you can throw at a tripod - if its not much at all second hand tripods are a solid investment - if you've more you can look at more modern and expensive options.
Also note once you hit the pro series the legs come without tripod heads - important to note if you look at new or second hand since unless its stated as being a kit or bundle it will come without a head.
cw8: How much is the sharpness loss? Can those be corrected by the Unsharp Mask in PS?
I'm not too serious about birds though. I wanna take a few good photos of some birds when the opportunity pops up but I don't think I'll go hunt for birds to shoot however, so you can call me a casual for that.
I'm much more serious about landscapes which is y I got the 10-20mm. The Sigma 120-400mm does sound great, I might consider that if I don't get the 18-270mm.
Was considering about the 18-270mm for travel overseas, if I get to travel in the future, one in all lens for everything. Pack the bag with the UWA and ditch the kit lens, add the flashgun, tripod and the filters to the load. I think I can travel pretty light except for the tripod of course.
Sharpness loss is tricky to say and how much you can get back through unsharpen mask depends on the output of your photos. If you're just making them for the internet then resizing and sharpening in stages will hide a lot of softness and results will be decent enough. Prints is a different area (one I've not delved that much into as yet) - again some sizes you might be ok at others you'll see the softness. I'm not too serious about birds though. I wanna take a few good photos of some birds when the opportunity pops up but I don't think I'll go hunt for birds to shoot however, so you can call me a casual for that.
I'm much more serious about landscapes which is y I got the 10-20mm. The Sigma 120-400mm does sound great, I might consider that if I don't get the 18-270mm.
Was considering about the 18-270mm for travel overseas, if I get to travel in the future, one in all lens for everything. Pack the bag with the UWA and ditch the kit lens, add the flashgun, tripod and the filters to the load. I think I can travel pretty light except for the tripod of course.
Your last point though is really identifying what this lens its - its giving you a single do all lens, which as you say is great for travel when you want to travel light and when photography is probably not the main reason for the travel. Quality isn't really what this lens is about its the convenience of having a do all lens.
cw8: You shoot the eyes of insects. I got problems trying to shoot the leaf where the insect is on :D
What cheap ball tripod do you recommend. The cheapskate $17 one I'm using now shakes in the wind heh.
With tripods you get three options: What cheap ball tripod do you recommend. The cheapskate $17 one I'm using now shakes in the wind heh.
Cost
Stability
Weight
You can pick two only. If you want cheap and stable its going to have to be heavy - its also probably going to be a second hand tripod with a 3 way head instead of a ballhead. It's hard to say though since a lot of this depends on how much you can throw at a tripod - if its not much at all second hand tripods are a solid investment - if you've more you can look at more modern and expensive options.
Also note once you hit the pro series the legs come without tripod heads - important to note if you look at new or second hand since unless its stated as being a kit or bundle it will come without a head.