p.59 #2 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
alexands wrote:
You may want to wait to apply the gaffer tape until you have a sense of how far you can reduce the focal length before the front element makes contact with the filter. Once the gaffer tape is applied, the filter is snug and the risk of damage is greater.
I am getting clearer,
though one additional question.
The front element is obviously a glass. If by accident front element touches (soft hit) the filter (again just glass) is there really such a great risk of damage? As the filter won't be glued in if greater pressure is applied during zooming out I believe it would be rather a filter popping out (risking its breakage) rather than damaging front element of the lens I guess.
Those are just my thoughts so if anyone is of a different opinion and/or is able to explain why my way of thinking is totally wrong, please shoot.
p.59 #3 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
You may be right. However, I've tried to find a balance (using the gaffer tape) between a fit that is snug but not too tight. I'd be interested in hearing others' thoughts on this as well.
p.59 #4 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Update: I just received another Kase 6-stop rear ND filter today. My first filter broke when removing it from the lens. It's a very thin glass (0.3m) and needs to be handled with care when installing/removing.
Here are the results at 14mm which is the focal length most affected by induced field curvature when using rear NDs.
I can see some ill effect at 16mm as well but it's much less than at 14mm. Starting at 17mm, I don't see much corner degradation even when shooting wide open.
At 14-16mm, it's best to stop the lens down to f/5.6 when shooting with the ND filter so depth of field masks the induced field curvature. Except the same results with the Aurora NDs since it uses the same glass thickness. (Scott glass)
Here are 1:1 crops at 14mm at f/2.8, f/4 and f/5.6 for center and extreme corners. I left any color cast introduced by the filter unprocessed. The Kase filter introduces a slight warming cast.
It was overcast and very windy outside so it mimics really field conditions.
Crops with the Kase filter (LEFT), Crops without any filter (RIGHT) for all images.
p.59 #5 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Fred Miranda wrote:
Update: I just received another Kase 6-stop rear ND filter today. My first filter broke when removing it from the lens. It's a very thin glass (0.3m) and needs to be handled with care when installing/removing.
Here are the results at 14mm which is the focal length most affected by induced field curvature when using rear NDs.
I can see some ill effect at 16mm as well but it's much less than at 14mm. Starting at 17mm, I don't see much corner degradation even when shooting wide open.
At 14-16mm, it's best to stop the lens down to f/5.6 when shooting with the ND filter so depth of field masks the induced field curvature. Except the same results with the Aurora NDs since it uses the same glass thickness. (Scott glass)
Here are 1:1 crops at 14mm at f/2.8, f/4 and f/5.6 for center and extreme corners. I left any color cast introduced by the filter unprocessed. The Kase filter introduces a slight warming cast.
It was overcast and very windy outside so it mimics really field conditions.
Crops with the Kase filter (LEFT), Crops without any filter (RIGHT) for all images....Show more →
Man I really want one.
I think I've decided between this and the 12-24mm. I'll just keep my CV12 for when I want wider.
p.59 #6 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
MAubrey wrote:
Man I really want one.
I think I've decided between this and the 12-24mm. I'll just keep my CV12 for when I want wider.
I’ve had them both. Really tough call. The Sigma is killer good and if you have to have the best quality barring everything else get the Sigma but giving up 12mm is tough. If you have the 12 than I say keep it too
p.59 #7 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Even at f5.6 and 14mm the quality hit due to field curvature is noticeable. I wonder how gel filters would compare for this scene (I imagine there would be no visible field curvature effect but how about overall quality).
p.59 #8 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
alexands wrote:
Even at f5.6 and 14mm the quality hit due to field curvature is noticeable. I wonder how gel filters would compare for this scene (I imagine there would be no visible field curvature effect but how about overall quality).
Honestly I was getting better results from the Aurora prototype which also uses 0.3m Scott glass thickness. With the Aurora, I could not see any difference at f/2.8 at center and f/5.6 for the corners when shooting at 14mm...Now sure why field curvature is more noticeable with the Kase. Perhaps they are thicker than reported?
With the Lee 4 stop "film" or Kodak "gel" (0.1m), there is no visible field curvature differences even at 14mm f/2.8 (I've posted samples on this thread). However, since it's not glass, it's prone to loss of contrast and veiling flare against the light.
p.59 #9 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Even being super careful mounting/unmounting the Kase rear ND filter, after a couple tries, it broke again inside my lens! I never forced it in or out which means, this would eventually happen.
Perhaps the glass is just too thin to be managed without any type of framing around it. I would hate for this to happen during a photo trip...
I've sent this info to Kase and they requested a picture of the filter box showing the packing box including the anti-counterfeiting code. (attached below)
Here is what Kase wrote me:
"Dear Fred
Thank you for sending the photo.
Just from the Photo you sent, sorry, it is hard to confirm that proucts you purchased from eBey are the real products, as there are so many eBay sellers are selling the fake Kase products now. So we suggest you to contact that eBay seller."
p.59 #10 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I emailed Kase to ask how to tell the difference between real and fake Kase filters as my filter set (from amazon.ca) is in the mail on its way to me. I'll post back what I learn.
Just a thought - if you send them a close-up picture of the filter itself (even broken), maybe they could tell from that (subtle differences in the lettering perhaps?)
For now, disregard the infinity test I posted above.
Can't wait for your update but i suspect that it will also break very easily if the thickness is the very same as per 'fake' Kase filters from Ebay (mine also broke before i even managed to put it in
Not sure if doable and how it would affect final IQ but i wish Sigma had stepped in and made some sort of thin dummy rear adapter with filter holder and ability to slide filter in. Something similar to Canon RF adapter with filter. Filters would had to have frame to keep all in one piece.
p.59 #13 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I do have a feeling the ones from eBay were real...if not, they are a remarkably good counterfeit, as they look identical to mine.
Fred - did your eBay ones come with a lovely set of white rubberized gloves (which I found far worse to use than bare hands, despite potential for fingerprints).
Mine have not broken, but to be fair, I've only used them twice. I got mine for fairly cheap (since my boss gave us a nice $100 gift card a month ago), so I'm going to hang on to them, but after seeing all these reports, I'm sure it's just a matter of time.
If they do break, I'll wait to see if the Aurora ones are worth what they cost, or potentially I'll just buy a square ND, since I already have the holder.
p.59 #14 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Jman13 wrote:
I do have a feeling the ones from eBay were real...if not, they are a remarkably good counterfeit, as they look identical to mine.
Fred - did your eBay ones come with a lovely set of white rubberized gloves (which I found far worse to use than bare hands, despite potential for fingerprints).
Mine have not broken, but to be fair, I've only used them twice. I got mine for fairly cheap (since my boss gave us a nice $100 gift card a month ago), so I'm going to hang on to them, but after seeing all these reports, I'm sure it's just a matter of time.
If they do break, I'll wait to see if the Aurora ones are worth what they cost, or potentially I'll just buy a square ND, since I already have the holder. ...Show more →
My Ebay Kase ND didn't come with rubberized gloves. The box looks legit though.
Having said that, when inspecting the images from B&H showing the ND filter, I could detect a difference in the typeface used.
Check the image below: TOP (Ebay Kase), Bottom (B&H image of the filter)
When my B&H Kase ND comes next week, I will compare them side by side.
p.59 #15 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
This is the email I received back from Kase:
"When you get your order at hands,pls check if the packing box include the Anti-counterfeiting code, please? pls also check if the picture of all barcode in the package?The real amazon store Kase products would have the clear
anti-counterfeiting code and barcode together inside the package and packing box. Also, Alex,would you pls send the amazon.ca seller's website to me ? I also can check if this seller is our official seller."
The amazon seller I purchased from is OEC Camera Accessories. I'm waiting to hear back from Kase about this seller.
p.59 #16 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
alexands wrote:
This is the email I received back from Kase:
"When you get your order at hands,pls check if the packing box include the Anti-counterfeiting code, please? pls also check if the picture of all barcode in the package?The real amazon store Kase products would have the clear
anti-counterfeiting code and barcode together inside the package and packing box. Also, Alex,would you pls send the amazon.ca seller's website to me ? I also can check if this seller is our official seller."
The amazon seller I purchased from is OEC Camera Accessories. I'm waiting to hear back from Kase about this seller....Show more →
I've provided the anti-counterfeiting code with barcode + seal images from my Ebay Kase ND box and they were not sure if it was fake or not! I did not get great customer support from them. At this point, I would only order these filters from B&H Photo (as directed by Kase) as it's hard to trust Amazon and third party sellers.
p.59 #17 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Fred Miranda wrote:
I've provided the anti-counterfeiting code with barcode + seal images from my Ebay Kase ND box and they were not sure if it was fake or not! I did not get great customer support from them. At this point, I would only order these filters from B&H Photo (as directed by Kase) as it's hard to trust Amazon and third party sellers.
Did you happen to buy your filters from OEC Camera Accessories? I notice they have an ebay store as well.
p.59 #19 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
alexands wrote:
They replied and told me that OEC Camera is their official dealer and so I should receive the real product.
That is a bit disappointing as I just checked my Amazon order and the one I ordered that cracked was ordered from OEC Camera so it was ethereal Kase product. The good news is I did receive a full refund from Amazon.
Maybe I'll just wait to see how everyone finds the Aurora version works and be happy using my NiSi 150mm filters for now.
p.59 #20 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
That is disappointing. I'm not sure whether to return the filters when I receive them or to take my chances. If I had ordered just one filter, I'd probably take my chances, but with the full set, I'm not sure...
If I'm understanding things correctly, the filter breaks when one lifts the end of the filter during the unmounting process. Do you think gluing a very small tab onto the end of the filter might make it easier to remove without having to bend the filter as much?
