p.20 #1 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I'm using the Nisi CPL+ND64 combination filter. My one has "nisi pro ir nd64cpl" written on it (and SR0037 at the bottom). I bought it early this year, so it's possible it has been revised, but mine certainly doesn't look neutral.
BH seems to have it here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1394408-REG/nisi_nip_s5_nd1_8cpl_pro_nd64_1_8_round.html, but the pic there doesn't have the same lettering as mine.
p.20 #4 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Fred,
Nope, just two versions of the CPL you can get with the S5 kit based on a review by Albert Dros I read. I just ordered the version with the pro cpl and not the landscape (warm) cpl. For NDs I am following your gel experiments as a more simplified, and lighter, way to go.
p.20 #6 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Another sample from yesterday's test with Lee 4-stop Gel + 16 averaged images for a 8-stop ND effect.
It was very windy and light was changing fast.
It takes 6min and 20s to "mean" average 16 images in Photoshop (RAW uncompressed). This is from the point of exporting the 16 images from Lightroom to PS as layers until the end of the the process. It takes the same exact amount with compressed RAW files.
Could you post a before and after comparison between the Sigma 14-24 "bare" (without any filter) and with the NiSi Combo 6-Stop IR ND + CPL Filter showing the same exact scene? (without the CPL effect even better)
I wanted to see how much color shift the NiSi filter does to the image. (grass, sky, etc.)
Thanks in advance!
Fred,
I do plan on doing some comparisons of the Sigma 14-24 with and without ND and CPL+ND filters. I’m also doing some comparisons between the Tamron 17-28 and the Sigma 14-24, Batis 18, and Sony 24-105 at 24mm - 28mm. Hope to get time to post results at the beginning of this week.
p.20 #8 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
How well does this lens do in Astrophotography? Could this be a one lens solution for landscape + astro? If yes then could be good for my hiking trip setup!
p.20 #9 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I have not had an opportunity to shoot any Astro with the Sigma yet. But I have seen some Astro pics taken with it and they looked very good. This is one reason I switched from using the Sony 16-35 GM to the Sigma to cover both my Landscape and Astro but with the extra 2mm of wide angle at f/2.8.
p.20 #10 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
robinlee wrote:
How well does this lens do in Astrophotography? Could this be a one lens solution for landscape + astro? If yes then could be good for my hiking trip setup!
It's the best UWA astro lens available at present (there are coma tests early in this thread), and yes it's an excellent one-lens solution for astro/landscape. The only thing it doesn't provide is well defined sunstars at wider apertures, which is why I also carry a Loxia 21.
p.20 #11 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I was a bit surprised at the warm cast of the Nisi S5 CPLND64 I found yesterday, as I've been using an 82mm version of what I thought was the same filter for some time now, and have never really noticed a similar cast.
There was some nice flat light today, so I redid yesterdays test using the S5 system on the Sigma, and also compared my 82mm Nisi CPLND64 mounted on a Loxia 21.
The results suggest the two filters may not be the same as I had assumed. Although it does look like the Sigma color palette here is already a little warmer than the Loxia even without filter.
p.20 #12 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I also sent yesterday's samples to Nisi to make sure my S5 CPL/ND64 is performing as expected. They have great customer service via their distributor here in Australia and replied this morning, saying that the CPL/ND64 does have a slight warm cast resulting from the polarizer (as according to them all polarizers do). To me that implies the Nisi NDs without CPL should be more neutral.
I have sent Nisi my samples comparing the 82mm vs S5 CPL/ND64 for additional comment.
One possibility that occurs to me is that the S5 CPL/ND64 uses the same polarizer method as is used in Nisi's 'standard CPL' (without ND) for S5, whereas the smaller 82mm CPL/ND64 perhaps uses the method used in the 'enhanced landscape CPL'. The latter according to the manufacturer description "Maintains a more neutral colour balance".
p.20 #13 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
smhoer wrote:
Fred,
Nope, just two versions of the CPL you can get with the S5 kit based on a review by Albert Dros I read. I just ordered the version with the pro cpl and not the landscape (warm) cpl. For NDs I am following your gel experiments as a more simplified, and lighter, way to go.
I don't believe that's the right way around. The Nisi 'landscape enhanced CPL' is the one with the less warm color cast. Although some reviews indicate it actually has a 'cool' cast, the manufacturer descriptions indicate it is more neutral than the regular CPL.
p.20 #14 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I could be wrong. I based this on the below quote from a review by Albert Dross
‘I did think these filters had a slight warmer colour cast, but it actually turned out to be the Landscape CPL that I mostly had attached when I was using the system. When I asked Nisi for comment they said this was deliberate with the ‘Landscape CPL’ to warm up the scene a bit en enhancing certain tones a bit more than normal. I’m not a big fan of this myself but so be it.”
After more research (thx google) I see most other comparisons of the two say the Landscape version cooler.
Thx for catching that. Now to see if my local camera store placed the order yet.
rvh23 wrote:
I don't believe that's the right way around. The Nisi 'landscape enhanced CPL' is the one with the less warm color cast. Although some reviews indicate it actually has a 'cool' cast, the manufacturer descriptions indicate it is more neutral than the Pro CPL.
p.20 #15 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Here is the manufacturer's description for the landscape enhanced CPL for the S5 system, which emphasizes more neutral color balance (presumably compared to their regular "Circular Polariser" on the same page).
I noticed also that the "pro CPL" is actually not listed for S5, only for smaller filters, and it's not clear to me now how it differs to the regular CPL, if at all. All very confusing. They could certainly improve their filter names and descriptions and be consistent across filter systems to reduce confusion.
p.20 #17 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I really like the 14-24mm so after weighing up all the options Ive biten then bullet and ordered the Nisi 150mm specific holder with the landscape polarizer and a few 150mm filters. I would get frustrated with any gel solution out in the field so I hope Im less frustrated carrying around another set of the filters! Ill let you know any thoughts when it gets here in a couple of days.
p.20 #18 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I have received confirmation from Nisi that there are only two CPL variations. One is the "pro CPL" (which is the same as the 'regular CPL' I referred to). It has a warm color cast. The other is the "landscape enhanced CPL". It produces stronger saturation, and instead has a slightly cool color cast.
I am assuming the CPL+ND64 has a similar cast to the pro CPL, but if someone has both, it would be great to see them side by side, ideally on a fairly gray subject
I still have no idea why my 82mm and S5 variants of the CPL+ND64 seem to have noticeably different degree of warm cast.
p.20 #19 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
rvh23 wrote:
I have received confirmation from Nisi that there are only two CPL variations. One is the "pro CPL" (which is the same as the 'regular CPL' I referred to). It has a warm color cast. The other is the "landscape enhanced CPL". It produces stronger saturation, and instead has a slightly cool color cast.
I am assuming the CPL+ND64 has a similar cast to the pro CPL, but if someone has both, it would be great to see them side by side, ideally on a fairly gray subject I still have no idea why my 82mm and S5 variants of the CPL+ND64 seem to have noticeably different degree of warm cast....Show more →
Would you say that the ND64+CPL rotated to the strongest polarization has more than 6-stops?
Usually polarizers have about a 2-stop light loss.
p.20 #20 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I have a great copy of the FE 24/1.4 GM (same one used for this review) but I feel that at the Sigma 14-24/2.8 beats it at center, mid and extreme corners (very slightly though)
Keep in mind that 24mm is the zoom's weakest focal length. This is just remarkable that a zoom at its weakest FL, produces similar to one of our best primes. I also like the zoom's color rendering and contrast better than the GM prime. What do you think? Same settings for both lenses. (Daylight WB)
Here are the crops at 1:1 for the center, mid-field and extreme corners. (A7R4 @f/5.6)
PS: Both lenses focused at center. (without re-focusing for the other areas)
