sigma 35mm 1.4 IS vs non IS?

[iphonemaster93]

So I took this shot, shown below, with my 17-55 2.8 and later on, I tried doing it with the Sigma 35mm 1.4 and none of the shots came out to be this focused. Does anyone know if it's because there's no IS on the 35mm or is it because I just got unlucky with all of my photos? Is it possible to get this clean shot with the 35mm 1.4 or do I have to be on a smooth road to do this? I was trying it on 280N from Pacifica up to South SF trying to shoot a random drift car and all of them were too shaky. Thanks!

[ebiggs1]

It is a mostly meaningless "term" thrown on certain sized camera sensors.  It is only valid if you want to compare the Rebel, or whatever, sensor to a 35mm film camera.  Otherwise the term is useless.

In the case of lenses, if you think in terms of "angle of view" instead of millimeters, you would be far better off and way ahead of most photographers alive today.

[ebiggs1]

Each camera provides a product.  A photo, if you will.  You as the photographer must decide which is the best tool for the results you require.  If it is a cell phone, OK.  If it is a medium format camera or even a 8x10 camera, OK.

Most of us will say the Rebel or xxD series or even FF is best.  And certainly in most cases that is correct.

[iphonemaster93]

Haha I kind of want both a full frame and a crop sensor at the same time because when I go to car shows and want to get a photo with my 17-55, people almost always walk in front of me not seeing that I'm trying to take a photo. Though I do have to say, I haven't spent enough time with my 10-22 so I guess I'll have to start using that one a lot more often now.

[iphonemaster93]

so..my 17-55 is now giving me an error 01 shooting anywhere passed 17mm. it's the same on my t3i. shooting at 17mm at any aperture is fine. do I have to get the lens replaced or is the lens done for good? 

[ebiggs1]

No one here can say either way for sure without actually seeing it or knowing how you treated it.

[cicopo]

Try cleaning the terminals on both the lens & camera. Coarse material like denim is a good place to start.

[iphonemaster93]

what should I use to clean it with? i tried wiping the gold teeth on the lens with a glasses cloth and blowing air on it with the tool that came with the cleaning kit, as well as blowing air on the gold teeth on the camer body itself and neither fixed the problem.

[ebiggs1]

Very unlikely the contacts are dirty.  The main reason why this is suggested is, it is easy and basically free.  Use denatured alcohol and a q-tip.  The folks that find they do have dirty contacts don't remove the lens very often.  I have been using a DSLR since they became available, how many years is that?   I have never had a dirty lens contact.  I know that doesn't mean or prove anything but there it is.

[iphonemaster93]

Oh I change my lenses a lot. I switch between my 17-55 and my 50mm 1.4 very often. I do have some q tips at home but I don't have any rubbing alcohol or any alcohol of that sort (other than wine, etc etc) XD.

[iphonemaster93]

I am super close to just selling the lens and getting a 24-105 F4 L from a friend. The two things that are stopping me and attempting to fix it is the F2.8 and the sharpness. Otherwise, I'd like the 105mm range.