What better way to start giving the Sigma a work out than locally? I had just caught a glimpse of the local cobbler’s workshop when dropping a pair of shoes off the other day and it looked fascinating, everything a cobbler’s workshop should be. Almost like a Hollywood set, in fact. So when picking the shoes up yesterday, I just had to get back there to photograph it.<\/p>\n
“Pindelski, is that Czech?”<\/p>\n
“No, Polish. My folks were refugees, finally escaping to the west before the Russians closed the borders in 1947. You?”<\/p>\n
“I am a Czech Armenian, part of the Jewish diaspora which spread across the world because of persecution. I came to America in 1986.<\/p>\n
This store has been here, on B Street in San Mateo, since 1876. I prefer it messy. It’s comfortable that way”<\/p>\n
Fellow refugees, bonding.<\/p>\n
So when it came time to pick up my shoes, whose heels remain spread over a vast area of San Francisco’s sidewalks, I couldn’t wait to ask Victor if he would let me take a look at his workroom. He was only too happy to oblige, and it did not disappoint. The Sigma and Nikon D3x came along and absent a bit of toning down of the nasty highlights from the fluorescent tubes in the first two images, these are pretty much straight out of the camera. I did use the lens correction profile I had created earlier for this lens, as it corrects significant vignetting at f\/1.4 and f\/2. You can download it here<\/a> and absent whatever claim I have to pride of authorship, I really recommend you use it. My wealth will change by exactly $0.00 if you download it.<\/p>\n <\/center><\/p>\n After the poor first experience with the Sigma’s AF (s\/n 50004444) things are beginning to look up with this loaner (s\/n 50004693). The three dimensional rendering and vibrant colors are significant optical accomplishments in a lens this fast. I wish it was lighter, but at the quality level offered I’ll grudgingly settle for a sore neck and shoulder. It is not cheap at $900 + tax, but it’s a lot cheaper than the Nikon version which, based on the sample I borrowed, is inferior and costs a good deal more.<\/p>\n Snapped on the Nikon D3x with the lens at f\/2, ISO 400. Victor gets his large wall print tomorrow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Looking good! After I complained mightily to Sigma about the bad AF on the 35\/1.4 I had borrowed from a local business, Sigma USA was kind enough to send me a brand new one in Nikon mount from the shipment received at the end of January and it arrived yesterday. I have it to try … Continue reading Victor the cobbler<\/span>
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.pindelski.org\/Blog\/Victor_cobbler_1.jpg\")
\nVictor Sargas.<\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.pindelski.org\/Blog\/Victor_cobbler_2.jpg\")
\nAt work.<\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.pindelski.org\/Blog\/Victor_cobbler_3.jpg\")
\nThere’s always work to be done.<\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.pindelski.org\/Blog\/Victor_cobbler_4.jpg\")
\n“I prefer it messy.”<\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.pindelski.org\/Blog\/Victor_cobbler_5.jpg\")
\nAncient cobbler’s lathe.<\/i><\/p>\n