Free Event for Photography Students and Educators at Unique Photo

by Mike Zawadzki, Technical Specialist
Believe it or not I just graduated from Montclair State University last May!  Since then I've been busy here at Unique Photo, but my friends and professors back at school are still really important to me.  If I did not have such wonderful and enriching experiences in my photography classes, I probably wouldn't be here today teaching my own classes and writing reviews for the Unique Photo blog.  So next Monday October 18th I have organized a FREE event for students and educators.  You don't need to sign up in advance.  Just show up here at Unique Photo with your student ID and you will be allowed in.  There will be some great prizes raffled away and free pizza.  The event runs from 12:30PM until 7:00PM.  Don't worry you don't need to be here the whole time either.  We will notify all raffle winners via e-mail.  Reps from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Sigma, Manfrotto, Dynalite Tamron, NIK Software, MAC Group, Hoodman, Lensbaby and Inkpress will be here to answer your questions about products and let you try them out!  Here is the link to our official landing page for the event.  I hope to see you there. -MZ

Lens Review: Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS DG HSM

By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Specialist

There have been a lot of product announcements over the past several days.  Nikon and Canon always steal the show because they command so much of the market.  Even Sony jumped in with four new exciting cameras and three new lenses.  I am excited about all of this news too, but I also got the chance to be one of the first people to test out the new Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS DG HSM.  


So is an added stabilizer worth double the price of the current Sigma 70-200?  Well I hope this post will help you answer that question.  In addition to adding stabilization, Sigma also used a different optical design from their original 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM lens.

Reader Contribution: Jay Brennan, Sigma 8-16mm

By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Specialist 

At the end of all of my reviews I ask for reader submissions.  If I've reviewed the product and you own it, I want to see your photos.  I will be more than happy to post them.  Eventually we may be able to set up a "reader gallery" of photos linked to each lens.  Lots of potential here, but I'd like to introduce our first featured reader, Jay Brennan.  Jay e-mailed me after reading my my review and thoughts on the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM. that I posed earlier this week.  You can find all of my reviews at the top of our page.  Just click "Reviews". 

Here are a few Jay's great photos!

Lens Review: Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM

By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Consultant

One of the most common questions I get is, "What wide angle lens should I buy?"  It makes sense.  Most people buy a DSLR with the mid-range kit lens and maybe a telephoto zoom lens.  However for many photographers the allure of an ultra wide angle lens eventually draws them in to wanting one.  The question is which one?

The good news is if you shoot a camera with a crop sensor, you have many more choices than a full frame shooter.  Canon, Nikon, Sigma, and Tamron all make great ultra-wide lenses.  However Sigma has now officially produced the widest lens (non-fisheye) for crop sensor cameras, the 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM.

PDN PhotoPlus Registration Now Open! Join us at booth 713!

By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Consultant

Hey everyone. Happy Monday! It's that time of year again...  Photo products being announced, people are getting their last beach/vacation trips in, and the kids are getting ready to go back to school.  It's also time to register for the PDN PhotoPlus Expo in New York City.  PDN PhotoPlus is the biggest Photography conference/exhibition of the year.  If you have any interest in photography or the photo industry, you have to be there. So of  course we will be there as well at booth 713, right by Canon, Sony, Epson, and Olympus.  Please come by and say hello.

University Classes 8/17/10 - 8/21/10

8/17/10 (Tuesday)
11:00am - 1:00pm: Understanding Your DLSR II: Exposure and Metering
8/19/10 (Thursday)
2:00pm - 4:00pm: Nik Software: Tools, Techniques, and Tips with Victor Ha
6:00pm - 8:00pm: Lighting, Lenses, and Photography with Kevin Ames
6:00pm - 8:00pm: Understanding Your DSLR III: Composition
8/20/10 (Friday)
6:00pm - 10:00pm: Day at the Meadowlands Racetrack
8/21/10 (Saturday)
10:00am - 4:00pm: Photographing Models Workshop with Kevin Ames
1:00pm - 4:00pm: Teen or Adult Digital Beginner Workshop with Nancy Ori

Photos from Stephen Lang's Gallery Reception

Thanks to everyone for stopping by last Tuesday evening for the opening reception of Stephen Lang's new exhibition in the Unique Gallery!  Over 70 people came throughout the night to speak with Stephen and view the 39-piece exhibition, which was shot solely with Sigma lenses.

We'd also like to thank David and Jerry of Sigma, who were able to stay for the duration of the reception to speak with guests and help answer questions.

And lastly, congratulations to the lucky winner of our raffle: Joel Rauchberg!  Joel received a Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 HSM OS lens courtesy of Sigma.

For those who were unable to attend the reception, there are a few photos on the Unique Photo Flickr!  And if you have your own photos of the reception, we'd love to see them posted to the Unique Photo Flickr Group!

Again, thank you for coming out!  If you were unable to attend the reception, the exhibit will be on display until September, so be sure to check it out on your next visit to the Unique Photo SuperStore!