So I have this Sigma 20mm f/18 lens that I picked up a while back. My thought was that it would allow me to shoot more stage content than the Sony 50mm f1/4

After taking it out and shooting a few shows I was rather disappointed in the quality of shots I was getting so I stashed it away and went back to the trusty 50mm Sony which consistently produces great images in low light.

Not being one to just sit on a few hundred dollars worth of high speed glass I decided to take it out for another run.

The Continental Club was hosting a show commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Monterey Pops Festival and I thought it would be fun to shoot that.

Not as crisp as I like, but I really do like wider angle.

Allen Hill
Click for larger image

Allen Hill as Johnny Rivers

This time out, though, I think I stumbled upon this lens’s secret. By getting in close to the subject I was able to get some sharper shots and, with the wider angle, I was getting a bit more than I could with the 50mm.

Allen Hill
Click for larger image

Allen Hill as Johnny Rivers


Click for larger image

The above shot is of a member of a Moby Grape tribute band called Grape Jam. Who knew there was a Moby Grape tribute band? Go figure!

At any rate, I’m encouraged and will experiment more with the 20mm.

Wide angle, wide open

One thought on “Wide angle, wide open

  • June 14, 2007 at 11:00 am
    Permalink

    what a fun night. great stuff you got there.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.