Back from Bar Harbor, Maine
My family over the last week has been vacationing in Bar Harbor, Maine. Luckily, we were able to get a week with near perfect weather, as the weather in the week before and after we went, were to put it lightly, pretty shit.
Unfortunately, the good weather brought out huge numbers of people to Acadia National Park. Everyone and their dog (literally), were out in the park on the good days. So, I had to employ the early bird gets the worm or night owl approach to the park. Needless to say I didn't get the best sleep on some days, and by the final day, I was exhausted.
However, this did give me a few opportunities to get some really cool shots of the park. I was amazed how empty the park gets after just 6 PM and how empty the park is in the morning. This allowed me to get some great photos.
Cadillac Mountain at sunrise. Approximately 5 AM. Cadillac Mountain is the first land in North America to receive the sun each morning.
The night owl phase worked out quite well also, as one night was the new moon, so it was pitch dark. Little did I know, that Acadia is one of the best places to get a view of the night sky in the United States. Here is one of my favorites from the short time I was able to spend out there (family didn't want to stay up past midnight, a shame...).
A view of the milky way, as seen from Sand Beach in Acadia National Park
Quick Take: Canon EF 16-35 F/4
INTRODUCTION
Here is a quick look at the Canon 16-35 f/4. I just got a new lens this summer and finally got around to writing up a bit of a review. My use is not what I would call extensive, but I got a good sense of it. I do not do the "scientific" test charts or consult all the technical data, as that is boring. So this is not an in depth review, but rather a few thoughts I have on it.
BUILD QUALITY
The new Canon 16-35 f/4 is really nicely built with a strong build. The lens is not metal, but it does have a decent amount of heft to it. The rubber rings are nicely dampened and the focusing ring is nice and large. The amount of rotation on the focusing ring is not long, but does not seem to hinder the ability to focus. This is not like a long focus throw from a manual focus Zeiss (I have the Zeiss EF mount 35 1.8), but it is not too short that it makes you have to turn the focus in small increments.
The lens hood is also nice. The hood includes a lock to keep the hood in place. Do not expect the lens hood to really protect the lens, since this is a wide-angle lens. It does do a nice job of cutting the flare down a bit, but it is not a miracle worker.
IMAGE QUALITY
The image quality from this lens is quite nice. The lens is not the sharpest of sharp lens, it is a zoom lens. The image quality is really nice, considering the fact that it is a zoom and quite inexpensive for this focal range.
This is shot at 16mm at f/4 on a Canon 5D Mark III
Also shot at 16 mm on a tripod from a Canon 5D Mark III.
The constant aperture at f/4 is also really nice to have when walking around. I do not have to worry about the aperture changing at different focal lengths. This is not f/2.8, but f/4 is still pretty big. If you are shooting landscapes, you should be using a tripod, so the aperture at f/4 is not going to negatively impact you.
OVERALL USABILITY
This lens is one of the best in this focal length. The lens is not small, but the weight and size nicely balance the camera. The IS on this lens is a bit unnecessary since this is a wide-angle, but if you really need the slow shutter speed, it does help out. I myself do not use this lens much handheld, so I cannot speak to the impact of the IS that much. However, it is nice that it is included.
FINAL WORD
This is the best Canon brand lens in this focal range for the price. The 17-40 is good, but this is sharper with IS, if you want that.
First of the iPhone Wallpapers
I just got my iPhone 6 and I thought I would try to add some wallpapers of some of the cool shots that I had taken. I have both iPhone 6 and 6+ wallpapers. The first is the iPhone 6+ size and iPhone 6 is the second. Make sure you get the right one.
Mouth of the Beast (Wallpaper)
Click Photo for download!
Non-Commericial License
Wallpaper Use Only
Sigma 85 f/1.4 First Look/Mini Review
Lenses. I got a few new ones for Easter and the summer holidays. The first one I got is the Sigma 85 f/1.4. I have only had this lens for a few days, but I thought I would post some impressions I have. Also, this is for Canon lenses. I do not own other DSLR brands.
Introduction/Build Quality and Features (9/10)
Its a nice chunk of glass to boot. Its built quick solidly and I was more than a little concerned about that being my first Sigma lens. However, despite not being a new Sigma "Art" lens, its built really nicely. I really like the finish and I love that the lens is not white for once. This lens has a massive front element and large 77mm filter thread. Although a large size, the filter size is a widely used one, so you will be able to use filters across lenses.
Some BIG Glass
The finish gives a nice grip and the focus rings have a solid rubber grip. The Sigma 85 f/1.4 finish on it that gives it almost a matte look which is a nice change. The only problem is that the focus ring is a bit stiff and the focus throw is not all that long. Maybe I have been spoiled by Zeiss 35mm. Overall, really nice construction.
The Sigma 85 f/1.4 also comes with a very handy padded case, not bag. Most canon lenses, below about $2,000 come with a nice leather/suede bag with a leather padded bottom. However, the case with the Sigma is much nicer to have just for storage. I rarely use my bags that come with the Canon lenses. It comes with a few levels of padding that insert and are removable. I guess so you can put it in with the lens hood on, off, or on with the extender.
The lens comes with a very nice lens hood. It snaps into place very nicely. My canon ones, except for the 70-200 which has a lock in button, do not snap into place as well. The lens hood also has an attachment for those with APS-C sensors. This attaches to the lens hood to give that extra protection. See below
Focus (7.5/10)
I really am starting to love this lens. It focuses quick, but not blisteringly fast. Also, I luckily got a good copy of the lens. It focuses accurately and doesn't really focus hunt. Sigma, unlike other third parties as far as I know, reverse engineers the Canon autofocus system Now, you should know that Sigma lenses, in terms of autofocus, they can be hit or miss. Sometimes, you have to send it back to get a good copy for autofocus.
Image Quality (9/10)
Image quality with this lens is really nice. The depth of field allows for some great shots. The images are very sharp and have some nice contrast. There is a bit of vignetting wide open but pretty much goes away after you stop down a few times. I included a sample that I took off one of the new spring flowers in my yard. The bokeh is really smooth due to the 9 aperture blades and the focus falloff is smooth.
Click for larger image.
Value/Conclusion (10/10)
This lens is a great value. Especially compared with then Canon 85 f/1.2 which is over $2,000. Canon does sell an 85 f/1.8 for around $400-500, but its a little older and a slower lens. However it still is a solid lens for the price. Compared to the Canon 1.2, this Sigma lens blows it out of the water for focus speed from what I have read and seen on video. I can't seem to find really much difference between f/1.2 and f/1.4 from sample photos I have seen. This may be the best lens of this focal length for the money. There are cheaper and more expensive lenses in this focal length, but none this versatile.
More School!
Hello There. Just learned I got into University of Dayton Law School. Thank God. Now I just have to wait to see on like 8 more applications to see how I faired overall. I feel like I can finally relax and that I have a future! It is very nerve racking to say the least, but at least it's now over. I hate waiting to find out where I am going. It takes weeks to process and then up to 12 weeks to hear back. Its made more annoying when the schools are all over the place and you basically figure out if you get in or not a month before the term starts. Pretty short amount of time to find a place to live!
Anyway, I am waiting to hear back from schools in New York, Ohio, Minnesota, Indiana and Virginia. Hope that I hear more good news.
On the Hunt
In my attempts to try and shoot at least a few times a week, I decided to try and get some pictures of the many songbirds out by the feeders in the yard. Trouble is they get spooked really easily. I tried various methods of getting close. I tried just standing for a while, so they would get used to me. That only worked for a little bit, but I still couldn't get close enough. I tried standing behind some outdoor steps, but that was too far away.
I then found that the only way to get close enough was to go full camouflage. I have a pop up hunting blind/bird blind. It works great but is a pain to setup sometimes. I had tried to do this before but it didn't work, so I had not done it in a while.
However, I figured out what I did wrong. I didn't camouflage the lens. The white Canon lens just stuck out on the background. I got a Lens Coat and then BAM, its like I wasn't even there. Its amazing how just that little change made all the difference.
TIPS
1. Get a telephoto lens at least 300 mm plus a 1.4 extender (my setup and you want the focal length)
2a. Get Camouflage - Blind or QuikCamo
2b. Get a lens coat for the lens
3. If in a blind, get a comfortable seat ( I used a cheap stepladder - not good)
4. Use a tripod and at least a good ball head, but a gimbal head is better
5. Wait a little bit, let the birds get used to it
6. Setup next to a tree or bush, it helps you blend in better and gets you closer
Picture of Efforts Below
Job Offer (Just not one I wanted)
As the title says, I was offered a job. Just not one that I really wanted, or was even remotely interested in. Its amazing how just apply for a position gets you emails from random "employers". I didn't know that happened. Amazing how job sites work.
It would essential be working for as a telemarketer. In other words, everyone with a phone's worst enemy. Making phone calls to people that have no interest in talking to you, but rather actively hate you or at least seem like it. But wait there's more! It would essentially be selling "insurance" to old people. I can remember an episode of Burn Notice like this, and guess what? It did not end up well for the guy.
It seems weird to me that this type of practice still goes on. It seems like every month that a story is ran about this on the news with a slightly different spin. Needless to say I blocked the number that called me, as I read this company keeps calling you. Taking advantage of the old and the gullible is not my idea of a good job.
Please do comment if you have had any similar experiences. It seems like people will do anything to make a buck.
- Andy