SD14 questions??

[miniheli]

Hi

I am going to purchase a SD14 soon, but need help deciding which lens I should buy? I read the specs and it says the SD14 has a SA bayonet mount, does this mean any sigma lens can be used in combination with the SD14?

I really like the specs on this lens.

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That particular lens seems to suit me well since my style of photographs ranges from super telephoto for aircraft pictures to macro shots and wide angle space grabbing landscape. Any opinions will be greatly appreciated.

O yes, I heard this camera has a problem with noise even at low iso levels?? Are there any tips around this problem? Due to me being in my photo 1 class, I am not allowed to play with my pics in a photo editing program of any kind.
I am sort of a beginner in photography so im not that fluent in the jargon but will try my best to understand and use it correctly.
By the way I love this forum already!! Im learning alot about Sigma. And the people are nice. This forum is relatively not that active but im sure it will be very popular giving a little more time and magazine exploitation of Sigmas cameras.

 

[tc95]

First off Klaus or anyone else please correct me if I miss quote anything...Thanks...

I would go with the 18-200mm due to the camera having a 1.7x multiplier...this affectively gives you a 30 to 340mm lens....on the sigma sd14....the 18-200mm is also a macro lens....so a good all around...for the camera...plus you can not beat the $699.00 price tag....I would tell you buy 3 4gig SD cards instead of one large one just been my experience better to have your pictures on separate cards...incase something happens to one....

About not playing with your pics....well shoot in the Raw form on the camera...you have to use the software to convert it to JPG....and you can play with the pictures just a little bit... I found the pictures in Raw look 10x better than the ones shot in JPG on the camera.....just the way the sensor works...

Now outside of class as far as software goes...I would buy the student version of Photoshop PS3....I know they announced a PS4...probably going to be the latest and greatest..but there will always be a new software program...I know a student can pick up PS3 for around 119.00 right now....

I have not had that big of an issue with the noise...outside almost cannot hear it....my SD10 is very noisy and slow...the SD14 is fast and just as loud as my D300....

This is an ebay listing...but the company only sells US stock and they are a licensed Sigma seller....you can not beat the price...you can also buy direct if you do not like ebay...
"http://cgi.ebay.com/Sigma-SD14-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-200mm-Lens-Kit-NEW-USA_W0QQitemZ200263142656QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200263142656&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14"]http://cgi.ebay.com/Sigma-SD14-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-200mm-Lens-Kit-NEW-USA_W0QQitemZ200263142656QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200263142656&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Direct website..

Lens:
http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm/fa:display.showprod/Sigma-18-200mm-f-3-5-6-3-DC-OS-HSM-Zoom-Lens-Nikon-AF/productid:28151/
Camera:
http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm/fa:display.showprod/Sigma-SD14-Digital-SLR-Camera/productid:24453/
Good all around bag:
http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm/fa:display.showprod/productid:19675/

Thank you for joining...I am new myself to Sigma....actual bought an SD10 from a person in town to help them out....and fell in love with the types of pictures it takes...I shoot Nikon d300 and also do IR with converted D100's from lifepixel.....I love doing the weird stuff...and your right I have had nothing but help from this place....so get your camera and start showing us your pictures...

Let us know if there are any other questions you have...

 

[tc95]

Ops...the lens I posted is for Nikon....here is the Sigma link...

http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm/fa:display.showprod/Sigma-18-200mm-f-3-5-6-3-DC-OS-Zoom-Lens-Sigma-SAF/productid:27600/

Sorry all..

Tony C.

 

[miniheli]

You answered all my questions thank you. But when you said "and you can play with the pictures just a little bit"

Do you mean slightly enhance the image? Heres the thing, my teacher has a program that can tell if I did anything to modify the image. Im sort of afraid of that program, it seems to know everything you did to the image lol.

 

[miniheli]

The lens you recommended looks great, ill pick it up in abit when I am ready to afford the camera and lens.

 

[tc95]

Your teacher can see if an image has had an adjustment made on a JPG file...or Raw format....not many programs use the sigma *.x3f file....unless she has that one program....so you will need the sigma software to translate it to a JPG file in order for her/him to see it...so that said...you can modify the image within the software before you save it for them....LOL...slight enhancement before you turn it in....also...this is not really right due to the fact most cameras allow you to edit the picture in the camera...so that said...you can modify it a little and it should not count against you.....the SD14 shoots JPG files...but it is not as clean and 3D like the X3F files....I would talk to your teacher and ask....My camera saves Raw files in an X3F file...can you read these...if not will you allow me to modify it to a JPG before giving it to you...and if so what settings do you want me use in the software....IE what size of JPG file....the sigma software is by no means anything great....but it will let you enhance the pictures just a bit before turning in....

Hope that helps...I get long wind'd some times...

Tony C.

 

[Guest .]

Hi all,

I would really agree to Tony's recommendations. The SIGMA's are RAW-cameras. I never use the jpg-mode. The jpg-mode is much better, than many critics say but you lose a great deal of image info, you could use for optimizing your shots when working with RAW!!!

There is no FILL LIGHT function possible (to call just one basic disadvantage) working with jpgs (in cam!)

See you with nice pictures

Klaus

 

[miniheli]

Cool Thanks for all of your help. So, when I get my sd-14 I will just shoot in raw/X3F and enhance it using sigma’s software program and then convert it into jpeg images for my teacher. Very sneaky hehheh. I just can’t get this guilty feeling off my chest that I am about to modify an image, Im sort of a purest when it comes to pictures and am sort of against tweaking the image. I really like taking a picture with a camera and seeing if it turns out well or not, if not it goes straight to the garbage even though it can be saved with a little bit of tweaking. I may be wrong, what are your guys/galls take on this?

"Also...this is not really right due to the fact most cameras allow you to edit the picture in the camera...so that said...you can modify it a little and it should not count against you"

That is a good point but I’m positive no one else in the class is changing anything about their pictures even through their cameras internal editor.

Thanks all

 

[tc95]

Ah....If you feel bad about it...you can just take the image...and use the Foven sensor setting and change it to jpg...that will make the image look right...you do not have to cheat...just thought you might like to know you could...LOL....good luck..let us know when you get the camera....you will have a lot of fun with it...and make sure you get the OS version of any lens...OS=Optical Stability Lens....helps you take cleaner shots....

Good luck and have fun shooting..

Tony C.

 

[miniheli]

Cool lol! I will let you guy know when I get the camera. I hope to get the SD14 soon but it might be awhile..

 

[amaxgraph]

You want this camera, i'm sell my SD14, you can purchase only a body or body and a lens 28/105, body and 2 lens 28/105 - 100/300, body 2 lens and a flash EF-500 DG ST. If you want really buy a SIGMA camera call me in private and i tell you a good price for this material that i want sell ASAP.
regards

 

[miniheli]

amaxgraph

Thanks for the offer but I think I will get a new one. Again thanks for your kind offer I hope someone will buy it from you.

 

[miniheli]

Im having that brain spliting moment of mine again. I think Ill wait for the sd15. I think Ill make it for a few months, it will be a struggle but I think it will be well worth it. Besides Ill get enough cash by than to purchace it.

 

[amaxgraph]

And you could be what are the budget to buy an SD15? If you know that are the cost to purchase a SD14 in the 2006/2007, you can give an idea of may money you need.

 

[miniheli]

Very true but I cant help getting the newst. It sounds funny I know but I think it will be worth it since Sigma doesnt produce a camera every year like other manufactures rather every 2 years.

 

[Guest .]

Hi Miniheli,

although it is nice to always have the latest technology, I would consider three arguments.

1) The SD15 employs the same image sensor as the SD14.
2) In terms of VALUE FOR MONEY the SD14 is quite a bargain at the moment
3) You will have to wait until April 2009 (or later!) until the SD15 will be released?!

Make up your mind!

See you with nice pictures

Klaus

 

[netzuser]

@ Klaus: quote:The SD15 employs the same image processor as the SD14

Are you sure?
Isn´t it the TRUE II like the DP2 will have?
Correct me if I am wrong.
Regards Uwe

 

[Guest .]

Pooohhh sorry thanks Uwe!

I made a typing error! It employs the same image sensor ... I am going to correct it above!!

See you with nice pictures

Klaus

 

[Guest .]

.... well image processing is renewed of course.

Improvements are said to be put into practice in terms of "much faster" serial shooting speed, picture-noise performance and display quality ....

Regards

Klaus

 

[miniheli]

Alright its final Ill get the sd14. Hehehe You made me realize how long until it will come out. Way to long for me. My film body is keeping me from shooting everyday due to cost. Sry for the late response, its due to school.

I don’t mind lugging around two cameras later on, the sd14 and my 35mm spotmatic but is the sd14 capable of producing nice night time photographs? I want to hear your experiences. All the samples of images I saw were the sigma official photographers that took them. By the way this will not stop me from buying the sd14; I have a very capable film body to do night time shots in my bag ready if I need it. Thanks all