Quote (Futurama @ Sun, Dec 21 2008, 03:25pm)

so how does it feel like when taking photos compared to the kit lens? and is it alot heavier and larger than the kit lens?

btw did you buy a filter for it?

Quote (chantal7 @ Sun, Dec 21 2008, 03:29pm)

It is heavier, yes, but I'll get used to that. Larger, yep, gotta use external flash if I want to use flash with this lens.

Ya, I bought a filter for it, just a regular UV filter. Thought I'd get one right away so this thing can last a long time. There's a 10 year warranty on it!

Going to buy a polarizer later on It costs 100 bucks damnit! If I go with the "BW" brand name, they start at like 250+

Quote (Futurama @ Sun, Dec 21 2008, 03:38pm)

Yeah I have heard that ultra wide lenses create shadows if you use the built-in flash. Well those built in flashes are crap anyway so you might as well use your fancy speedlight
I am really surprised that the warranty is valid for that many years haha I guess you don't really have to worry about it breaking or anything lol

Well I don't know much about polarizers but 100 bucks is quite a lot and that's for a cheaper one too lol but you know I think you should get a good one because I have heard those cheaper ones are no good at all and the coatings on them "disappear" after awhile so you might as well spend 250 bucks so you dont have to buy a new later.

I am not sure about you but I do like those larger and heavier lenses better because they feel more solid in your hands and a lot easier to focus manually, not that I do that often lol but still.
and I am sure it's autofocus is a lot faster and quieter than your kit lens too.

Quote (chantal7 @ Sun, Dec 21 2008, 03:41pm)

Yeah the guy there told me that he's never had to get one fixed of all the people that have bought one, so I think I got a very good lens for my money.

I might buy that filter before the summer hits. I'll have to look around for a decent one later.

I don't mind the heavier lenses, they just like to slip out of my hands if I hold my camera vertically. The autofocus is a hell of a lot quieter,

Quote (Futurama @ Sun, Dec 21 2008, 04:05pm)

wow that sounds like one good quality lens and you got it at a bargain price too So you are going to get that cheaper 100 bucks filter first and then get a better one later? Well I am not sure about you but I would definitely save that 100 bucks for a better filter. hmm how does a heavier lens slip out of your hands when you hold it vertically? lol when I hold a camera vertically I would just use my hand as some kind of a tripod and grab the lens from underneath if that makes sense lol maybe your lens is really heavy even heavier than my 17-85 IS USM lens

Quote (chantal7 @ Sun, Dec 21 2008, 05:10pm)

Idk. I just have slippery hands, can't help it.

Quote (chantal7 @ Thu, Dec 25 2008, 05:01pm)

Yeah, I'm thinking of getting a polarizer filter for this baby now, but jesus they're expensive

Anyone know of some decent filters out there? I know of the B+W one, but that's all.

Quote

B+W
A brass mount with solid ring and deep filter thread make this a heavy filter that feels substantial compared with its Japanese competition. Extremely neutral throughout the range with plane parallel polariser material that the German makers, Schneider, say will guarantee optimal image results. The one to choose if your budget can stretch to the hefty price tag in sizes from 46 to 95mm.

Hama
Suppliers of one of the largest accessory ranges made, with thousands of items for video, stills and audio markets. Recently they have introduced a range of silver finish filters that match the modern styles seen with newer compact digital cameras and AF SLRs, This range includes the HTMC Circular polariser in sizes from 25.5mm to 77mm. In conventional black rimmed options there's a Linear in sizes from 49mm to 82mm, Cicular in sizes from 27mm to 82mm and a HTMC circular in sizes from 37mm to 86mm. Hama also produce an slim mounted circular version for wide-angle lenses in sizes from 49mm to 77mm.

Heliopan
Ksemannn polarising are very expensive, but different in that the after the sandwiching of the polarising layer the filters are polished plane parallel and the edges are thoroughly sealed and mounted in a precision rotating mount with numerical scale. The special seal helps if you're using it in difficult climates such as sub tropical. They are available in linear or circular versions along with a linear warm polariser all in sizes from 39mm to 105mm along with Hasselblad and Rollei bayonet mounts.

Heliopan linear and circular polarisers are made from top quality Schott glass (made by the Zeiss group) and come in black anodised brass mounts in sizes from 39mm to 105mm.

Hoya
Super HMC Pro Multi-coated circular polarisers are difficult to make because the heat needed to multi coat the outer surfaces can damage the polarising sheet that's sandwiched between the glass. Hoya have managed that with this version available in sizes from 49mm to 82mm and it's ultra thin and lightweight. Hoya also make a normal circular polariser in sizes from 27mm to 86mm and linear in sizes from 39mm 95mm.

Jessops
Produce a wide range of low cost screw-in filters including linear options in sizes from 46mm to 72mm and circular varieties in sizes from 27mm to 77mm.

Quote

*When shooting to prevent reflections the best results are created when you are at an angle of around 35 to the reflective surface.

*A polariser can be attached on top of an existng UV protective filter, but if you do so, be aware that the depth of the filter rims may cause a small amount of vignetting (darkening of the edges) on wider-angle lenses. And as there are more glass to air surfaces the image quality could be degraded. So where possible it's better to remove any other filter and just attach the polariser.

*When shooting skies ensure you shoot at the best angle - for rich blue skies move around so that the sun is at 90 degrees to the subject - anything more or less and the saturation is reduced.
Avoid using a polarising filter on a lens wider than 28mm as the effect can look false because only a proportion of the sky will be deeply polarised.

*Watch the exposure. A polariser has a neutral grey look, which won't affect colour, but does reduce the amount of light reaching the film. If your camera has through-the-lens metering it will calculate the exposure difference automatically, which is roughly two stops.

*Use two polarisers together as variable neutral-density filter with between two and nine stops light reduction.

*When using a polarising filter on an older camera that doesn't have TTL viewing hold it up to your eye and rotate until the filter is showing the best effect. Then mark the uppermost point of the rim with a china graph pencil or tape, screw it onto the lens and rotate so that the tape or mark is at the uppermost position. Some filters have a white line mark already printed on the rim which can be used as a gauge.