Wideangle choice

joolsveer

I have an opportunity to do some paid work for a change. I have been asked to photograph house interiors and I reckon I need something shorter than 18mm on my 350D. I'm tempted by the Sigma 10-20mm. I have read a number of opinions, though, that distortion may be a factor at the wide end.

Any views on suitability for interiors? Or should I go for the Sigma 12-24mm which is much more expensive in Dublin. I don't want to buy a lens that will not be suited to my general photography e.g. http://www.flickr.com/photos/joolsveer/sets/72157600104172220/detail/

Paulw

The Canon EF-S 10-22mm wide angle lens is brilliant. Have a look online for some reviews and you won't be disappointed.

Borderfox

I have a Sigma 10-20 and find it excellent for a lot of different shots, if you are worried about distortion a lot of it can be fixed in CS2 but to be honest if you shoot a 10mm you will get some mad looking stuff, you can always experiment with the mm's between 10-20.

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_1020_456/index.htm

Borderfox

Canon one here
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1022_3545/index.htm

joolsveer

Thanks lads for your speedy advice. I will now do the research!
Dave

gandalf

Another Sigma 10-20mm user here and I love the lens.

Here is a shot taken standing beside the spire http://www.flickr.com/photos/gandalfirl/484915126/ using the lens.

Owen

I'm a Sigma boy too, great lens!

joolsveer

Nice shot of the spike.

elven

If you look at Morlar's dev-art gallery you'll see a few architecture/interior shots of his, I'm pretty sure he uses the 10-20 or at least, a similar lens in that range. From using the thing even at the long end there is a certain amount of distortion but you can emphasise it or minimise it depending on how you shoot, the angle of view and stuff. As far as that lens is concerned, anyone I know that has it or has had a shot of it, thinks its fabulous...

joolsveer

elven wrote:

If you look at Morlar's dev-art gallery you'll see a few architecture/interior shots of his, I'm pretty sure he uses the 10-20 or at least, a similar lens in that range. From using the thing even at the long end there is a certain amount of distortion but you can emphasise it or minimise it depending on how you shoot, the angle of view and stuff. As far as that lens is concerned, anyone I know that has it or has had a shot of it, thinks its fabulous...

Thanks elven I will take a look at his gallery.

ThOnda

For interiors, be aware that distorsion is not warmly welcomed. Investment into lense without distorsion is advantige.
And my experience - always bring a ladder. Smaller lighter alluminium "A" type. It will help you to fill the frame with the room. Composition with wide angle cold be problematical.
Good luck and get some good money from the job!

JMcL

Borderfox wrote:

I have a Sigma 10-20 and find it excellent for a lot of different shots, if you are worried about distortion a lot of it can be fixed in CS2 but to be honest if you shoot a 10mm you will get some mad looking stuff, you can always experiment with the mm's between 10-20.

The Sigma 10-20 has surprisingly little distortion at the 10mm end. Running an image through PTLens shows not a huge amount of change from a distortion perspective, just a little bit towards the edge of the frame.

Converging verticals will be a problem with interiors or any architectural stuff, but PTLens can do a very good job at fixing those too - within reason.

Monasette

I've got the 350D/Sigma 10-20 combination and it works fine. Regarding the converging lines that you inevitably get at the edge of an ultra-wide image, you could try shooting a series of overlapping shots and merge together, either in Photoshop or a dedicated panoramic s/w app.

Good luck

digitalage

If the money is good enough would you not hire a full frame camera with a 24mm TSE lens.

joolsveer

ThOnda wrote:

For interiors, be aware that distorsion is not warmly welcomed. Investment into lense without distorsion is advantige.
And my experience - always bring a ladder. Smaller lighter alluminium "A" type. It will help you to fill the frame with the room. Composition with wide angle cold be problematical.
Good luck and get some good money from the job!

Thanks for the ladder tip. I wouldn't have thought of it. I haven't discussed the money side yet. Should I charge by the hour? Or per job. And how much?

It is likely that there will be a number of locations in the Dublin region. As far as I know they are modern houses.

joolsveer

Monasette wrote:

I've got the 350D/Sigma 10-20 combination and it works fine. Regarding the converging lines that you inevitably get at the edge of an ultra-wide image, you could try shooting a series of overlapping shots and merge together, either in Photoshop or a dedicated panoramic s/w app.

Good luck

Thanks for the advice I won't forget it.

joolsveer

digitalage wrote:

If the money is good enough would you not hire a full frame camera with a 24mm TSE lens.

Where could I hire gear like this? Any idea of how much it would cost?

digitalage

Try conns, maybe DML and LSL also,

http://www.connscameras.ie/flat_areaEQLproductsAMPCategoryIDEQL128_entry.html

ThOnda

Charge per job, of course.
Buy a lot magazines about interiors and archtecture and study all those pictures. Try to understand what are the angles, if they use maximal paerture all the time... Just get ready. And good luck.
Yes, one more thing - very tall tripod would help. Sturdy, heavy tripod. The wooden ones are perfect for the type of work.

Morlar

I would recommend the siggy too - if you want one to fit your general photography it sounds like the best all round bet. If you were renting a full frame you might get away with a 17-40mm but on a crop the 10-20 would be the way to go.