Jefenator
TalkEmount Top Veteran
I know - true Leicaphiles might be mortally offended by the very idea of a $200 lens on a $1200 body being likened to a M9 with a Summarit lens. But if we ignore that final 1% of nuance all those extra thousands upon thousands of dollars will get you, I feel this pairing does give me most of what I used to yearn for: a monster IQ platform, small enough to tuck under my jacket for a casual stroll. IMHO the Sigma 30mm taps the NEX system's great potential for portability and detail rendering as well as anything out there.
I'd be the first to point out that the Sigma doesn't handle like a nice old manual lens. But what it lacks in tactile handling qualities, it makes up for in good optical behavior. Focus peaking is strong and reliable and I can focus & recompose without any nasty surprises (like I often get from lenses with more field curvature). For landscape-type shots I find it to be exceptionally easy to get a frame full of immaculate detail.
My favorite shot of the day came from an impromptu visit to a friend's house. I busted out my camera, reflexively set manual exposure and focus and got this frame off before he had time to start hamming it up. Much as one might do with a proper rangefinder camera.
So being somewhat in practice and having my good rig on my person helped net me one of my favorite images of the year - a definite large print candidate. How valuable is that! When I bought my NEX, the compactness was more of a bonus, an afterthought. But sometimes it can prove to be a huge asset, one I hope to exploit a lot more in the new year.
I'd be the first to point out that the Sigma doesn't handle like a nice old manual lens. But what it lacks in tactile handling qualities, it makes up for in good optical behavior. Focus peaking is strong and reliable and I can focus & recompose without any nasty surprises (like I often get from lenses with more field curvature). For landscape-type shots I find it to be exceptionally easy to get a frame full of immaculate detail.
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My favorite shot of the day came from an impromptu visit to a friend's house. I busted out my camera, reflexively set manual exposure and focus and got this frame off before he had time to start hamming it up. Much as one might do with a proper rangefinder camera.
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So being somewhat in practice and having my good rig on my person helped net me one of my favorite images of the year - a definite large print candidate. How valuable is that! When I bought my NEX, the compactness was more of a bonus, an afterthought. But sometimes it can prove to be a huge asset, one I hope to exploit a lot more in the new year.