Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3

Jeff Harper · April 4th, 2011, 08:38 AM

I had some footage that had blown out highlights during the reception, mostly the wedding dress during dancing. I was running two cameras, and it was so hectic, I don't know what was going on.

I think it was the auto ISO with the 20mm lens, but I cannot be sure. The GH2 with the Sigma was really nice, and the auto ISO worked very well, perfect. S mode kept the iris right rather than adjust the Shutter speed, and it seemed to work out very well that way.

It took me all day to come to use that setting, and I botched a lot of stuff prior to resorting to that. Luckily it was not a paid wedding, but shot as a favor for photographer, and there were no expectations. It's too much in full manual at all times, at least for me. With focus and zoom I have enough to deal with.

Jonathan Plotkin · April 4th, 2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Harper

I had some footage that had blown out highlights during the reception, mostly the wedding dress during dancing. I was running two cameras, and it was so hectic, I don't know what was going on.

I think it was the auto ISO with the 20mm lens, but I cannot be sure. The GH2 with the Sigma was really nice, and the auto ISO worked very well, perfect. S mode kept the iris right rather than adjust the Shutter speed, and it seemed to work out very well that way.

It took me all day to come to use that setting, and I botched a lot of stuff prior to resorting to that. Luckily it was not a paid wedding, but shot as a favor for photographer, and there were no expectations. It's too much in full manual at all times, at least for me. With focus and zoom I have enough to deal with.

Thanks, sounds promising. I also find full manual mode really challenging in the field if I also have to deal with manual focus. Did you use the auto-focus at all with the Sigma?

Jeff Harper · April 4th, 2011, 10:30 AM

I used both, and did not like auto, it hunted too much, and did not seem accurate. I found it faster to use manual, I'm sorry to say. It probably varies with your subject as to how bad it is.

Jim Snow · April 4th, 2011, 10:35 AM

Jeff, What focus mode do you use for 'coming to you' shots such as the B&G entrance at the reception or shooting the procession or recession from the top or the bottom of the aisle?

Jeff Harper · April 4th, 2011, 10:43 AM

Jim, I am embarrased to report I don't know the answer, yet. For the processional, I tried both, and both were unsatisfactory.

The problem is I don't know how to shoot in manual, but I'm sure there is a method to zooming and focusing at the same time, but I don't know how it's done.

There is, somewhere, probably in the wedding forum, someone with vast experience with this issue.

I believe there is a method to be used, but I don't know what it is yet. I must find out though!

Jim Snow · April 4th, 2011, 10:52 AM

I have has good success using auto focus with spot mode if I keep the 'spot' on the subject as they walk to me. This has been 'parking lot' shots with associates. I have been using my EX1R for paying jobs because I feel more secure with it. I have a big wedding this coming weekend. I will be using both my GH2 and EX1R on this one. I am using a second shooter with a 5D Mk II just to be safe.

Jim Snow · April 4th, 2011, 10:57 AM

Another thing I am uncertain about is how well auto focus on a 'coming to you' shot works in low light. At my upcoming wedding shoot, there will be a sparkler departure from the reception for the B&G. The only light will be the light from the guests' sparklers who will be lined up on both sides of the B&G's departure path. That's one of those 'better not blow it' shots.

Jeff Harper · April 4th, 2011, 11:22 AM

Jim, I used spot mode, or played with it when I first got the camera, and haven't used it again since.

I'll have to play with it. Can you tell me the gist of what mode I must be in, menu settings for it to work? It it something I might have turned off?

Jim Snow · April 4th, 2011, 11:27 AM

I will check my camera settings and post later today after I have. Unfortunately it's not one of those 'read page 73 in the manual' deals because the manual is very poorly organized and written. Maybe we can picket their booth at NAB about the manual - - - Just kidding. ;-)

Jeff Harper · April 4th, 2011, 11:27 AM

thanks Jim...

Jim Snow · April 4th, 2011, 06:57 PM

Hey Jeff, I found that I have changed some setting in my camera since I last did this. I am going to test this with an associate walking toward me in a parking lot tomorrow. I want to make sure that I have this right. I need to use this capability on my wedding shoot Saturday. I will post the settings that I used after I get home tomorrow evening.

Jeff Harper · April 4th, 2011, 07:01 PM

Cool Jim, thanks. I would test it myself but I have been bogged down on the PC all day.

Jim Snow · April 7th, 2011, 12:31 PM

Jeff, I had great success with shooting shots of people walking toward and away from me with the camera set to AFC and spot focus selected. I set the spot focus point to the center of the frame and then kept the subject being tracked in the center of the frame. This works equally well when the subject is walking to or away from the camera. I have enough confidence in this method to use it with my wedding shoot Saturday.

Until I feel that I know the GH2 inside and out, I will use tested methods that I know work when I'm doing a paying job. I haven't tried the facial recognition mode yet. Until I use it a lot more and develop confidence in it, I'm afraid of it. The good is the GH2 has a depth of features and the bad is that it has a depth of features. Without a good manual or 3rd party guide, you have to hack you way through it. That part is best done in your back yard and not on paying jobs.

Jeff Harper · April 7th, 2011, 12:59 PM

Aha, the AFC mode, which I've not really used much. Jim, I really appreciate your reporting with that information.

My primary lens on my main camera is the Sigma 18-50, and AFC will not work with that lens. Darn!

Norm Rehm · April 7th, 2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Snow

Jeff, I had great success with shooting shots of people walking toward and away from me with the camera set to AFC and spot focus selected. I set the spot focus point to the center of the frame and then kept the subject being tracked in the center of the frame. This works equally well when the subject is walking to or away from the camera. I have enough confidence in this method to use it with my wedding shoot Saturday.

Until I feel that I know the GH2 inside and out, I will use tested methods that I know work when I'm doing a paying job. I haven't tried the facial recognition mode yet. Until I use it a lot more and develop confidence in it, I'm afraid of it. The good is the GH2 has a depth of features and the bad is that it has a depth of features. Without a good manual or 3rd party guide, you have to hack you way through it. That part is best done in your back yard and not on paying jobs.

Jim, When you say "spot focus" are you referring to "1 area focusing"? If so, how small to you make your focus area? Also, what camera mode are you using?

Thanks. Norm

April 4th, 2011, 08:38 AM	#16
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 I had some footage that had blown out highlights during the reception, mostly the wedding dress during dancing. I was running two cameras, and it was so hectic, I don't know what was going on. I think it was the auto ISO with the 20mm lens, but I cannot be sure. The GH2 with the Sigma was really nice, and the auto ISO worked very well, perfect. S mode kept the iris right rather than adjust the Shutter speed, and it seemed to work out very well that way. It took me all day to come to use that setting, and I botched a lot of stuff prior to resorting to that. Luckily it was not a paid wedding, but shot as a favor for photographer, and there were no expectations. It's too much in full manual at all times, at least for me. With focus and zoom I have enough to deal with. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 4th, 2011, 10:30 AM	#18
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 I used both, and did not like auto, it hunted too much, and did not seem accurate. I found it faster to use manual, I'm sorry to say. It probably varies with your subject as to how bad it is. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 4th, 2011, 10:35 AM	#19
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 Jeff, What focus mode do you use for 'coming to you' shots such as the B&G entrance at the reception or shooting the procession or recession from the top or the bottom of the aisle?

April 4th, 2011, 10:43 AM	#20
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 Jim, I am embarrased to report I don't know the answer, yet. For the processional, I tried both, and both were unsatisfactory. The problem is I don't know how to shoot in manual, but I'm sure there is a method to zooming and focusing at the same time, but I don't know how it's done. There is, somewhere, probably in the wedding forum, someone with vast experience with this issue. I believe there is a method to be used, but I don't know what it is yet. I must find out though! __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 4th, 2011, 10:52 AM	#21
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 I have has good success using auto focus with spot mode if I keep the 'spot' on the subject as they walk to me. This has been 'parking lot' shots with associates. I have been using my EX1R for paying jobs because I feel more secure with it. I have a big wedding this coming weekend. I will be using both my GH2 and EX1R on this one. I am using a second shooter with a 5D Mk II just to be safe.

April 4th, 2011, 10:57 AM	#22
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 Another thing I am uncertain about is how well auto focus on a 'coming to you' shot works in low light. At my upcoming wedding shoot, there will be a sparkler departure from the reception for the B&G. The only light will be the light from the guests' sparklers who will be lined up on both sides of the B&G's departure path. That's one of those 'better not blow it' shots.

April 4th, 2011, 11:22 AM	#23
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 Jim, I used spot mode, or played with it when I first got the camera, and haven't used it again since. I'll have to play with it. Can you tell me the gist of what mode I must be in, menu settings for it to work? It it something I might have turned off? __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 4th, 2011, 11:27 AM	#24
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 I will check my camera settings and post later today after I have. Unfortunately it's not one of those 'read page 73 in the manual' deals because the manual is very poorly organized and written. Maybe we can picket their booth at NAB about the manual - - - Just kidding. ;-)

April 4th, 2011, 06:57 PM	#26
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 Hey Jeff, I found that I have changed some setting in my camera since I last did this. I am going to test this with an associate walking toward me in a parking lot tomorrow. I want to make sure that I have this right. I need to use this capability on my wedding shoot Saturday. I will post the settings that I used after I get home tomorrow evening.

April 4th, 2011, 07:01 PM	#27
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 Cool Jim, thanks. I would test it myself but I have been bogged down on the PC all day. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 7th, 2011, 12:31 PM	#28
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 Jeff, I had great success with shooting shots of people walking toward and away from me with the camera set to AFC and spot focus selected. I set the spot focus point to the center of the frame and then kept the subject being tracked in the center of the frame. This works equally well when the subject is walking to or away from the camera. I have enough confidence in this method to use it with my wedding shoot Saturday. Until I feel that I know the GH2 inside and out, I will use tested methods that I know work when I'm doing a paying job. I haven't tried the facial recognition mode yet. Until I use it a lot more and develop confidence in it, I'm afraid of it. The good is the GH2 has a depth of features and the bad is that it has a depth of features. Without a good manual or 3rd party guide, you have to hack you way through it. That part is best done in your back yard and not on paying jobs.

April 7th, 2011, 12:59 PM	#29
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for 4/3 Aha, the AFC mode, which I've not really used much. Jim, I really appreciate your reporting with that information. My primary lens on my main camera is the Sigma 18-50, and AFC will not work with that lens. Darn! __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."