Sigma 10mm f2.8 lens - test images

I recently acquired a Sigma 10mm f2.8 lens for both landscape and astro wide angle imaging.
I tried it our today with my Canon 400d DSLR.
Below are some 30sec exposures at f2.8 ISO1600.
Images taken in RAW and converted to jpg (80%) in Irfanview.
No processing done otherwise:

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skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=FD21544143...key=!AEMCjV4g-SVuffc

From the first image, you can see some flaring from the Moon, which is to be expected.
However, what is encouraging is that the stars are relative sharp to the edge and no major signs of false colour around the brighter stars.
One note I would make is that it takes a little trial and error to get sharp focus - using the infinity mark on the lens does not suffice.

Earlier in the day, I took advantage of the windy conditions to record a simple video clip as part of the test:

unfortunatley, the quality seems to have been reduced by youtube

HI Michael

cracking widefield view.

if you drop the lens down to a stop to f4, you should get better definition. i have the Sigma 10-20 myself and i find its better steped down.

Also i notice a lot of pink and orange from the motorway lights, you can remove most of this on the camera by using K scale on the white balance ( not sue of the 400 allows this ) a setting of about 2800k should so it.

If you have mirror lock id turn it on.

with no moon you should be able to get a cracking milkyway shot with that lens.

DC

Some good suggestions Dave.
I'll give them a try.

I also have a hutech-modified 300d.
I'd be interested in doing some back-to-back comparisons with the standard 400d to see the difference with this lens.

These images were just tripod mounted.
At 30 sec exposure, no trailing was apparent.
However, I found that a 1 min exposure was just too much.

Michael.

No Bother,

you would need a good dark site to get the best out of the lens.

there is a good spot about 2 miles outside of Portarlington, its beside a lake about 20 mins walk from the road.
Its very Dark. i often take shots from there myself. Ill send you a geo locate if you want it.

30 seconds on 10mm will be ok if you dont pick at the pixels on the finished picture.

where did you get the mod done on the 300?

Im using an unmod 60d

I got the 300d a few years ago second-hand from the UK.

I know of a good spot by the canal between Monasterevin and Ballybrittas.
Water makes a great foreground target to include in the shot.

give me a shout next time your heading down.