30D and IR (plus a few others)

[scoop]

I was very pleased to discover that my 30D is indeed a reasonably capable IR camera, despite rumours I'd heard elsewhere. These two preliminary attempts were shot with a Hoya R72 on the nifty fifty:

Both shot, IIRC, at about 2s, ISO 400, ~f/8. Even more surprising is that I'm finding I can get reliable AF performance directly through the filter. In fact, this works better than pre-focussing without the filter, locking off the focus and attaching the filter. Even on overcast days, I can still get pretty decent focus lock on the centre point. Anyone else observed this??

So, whilst we're here, on the same photo jaunt, I also got these two. These are posted by way of apology to a certain forum member, whom I have given considerable stick of late for buying a Peleng fish-eye despite his numerous cyncal comments previously about such lenses. Having now grovelled and borrowed the lens, it's my turn to eat much humble pie, methinks.....

And finally, not to be left out of the latest forum trend, a dragonfly pic taken with the Sigma 17-70. Doesn't seem to be too bad at macro, though not as nifty as the Canon 100mm.....

 

[xolotl]

Picture four is incredible! I recon it would have done quite well in the Vanishing Point competition. I love the way all the various architectural lines lead you into the photo.

I'm not really sure about the IR ones, the first one seems to be very soft and it's lacking in contrast.

 

[MajorPart]

See the 3rd and 4th Fisheyes, how sharp are the images? Any chance of a slightly larger version to check it out? Are the Peleng fish-eye expensive?

 

[scoop]

I'll post a larger version soon, when I get chence, but they're pretty good. If I think on, I'll also do 100% center and corner crops. Bear in mind, these have been a bit de-fished with Panotools, so that may affect the observed sharpness around the edges.

As for cost, I'll have to admit ignorance, as I borrowed the lens. I understand they can be aquired form certain auction sites, though. Indications suggest about £150.

 

[scoop]

See the 3rd and 4th Fisheyes, how sharp are the images? Any chance of a slightly larger version to check it out?

Sorry for the delay....bigger version:

And a couple of 100% crops for you, centre then edges. Default processing in RSP (and default, unoptimised sharpening) then cropped in CS2. No additional processing in CS2, but these were de-fished after RAW conversion using Panotools, which may lead to a bit extra softness.