Sigma E-Mount 19mm f2.8 Shoots Kensington Market

Personally, I think the Kensington Market in Toronto is a quirky, off-beat place. Many of its buildings are old and run-down, but at the same time, many more are uniquely decorated and colorful. The shops sell a variety of products from second hand bicycles to freshly grown produce with many restaurants, cafes and specialty food stores spread through out the market.  What strikes most first time visitors is the many wonky shop names and interesting painted store fronts. Definitely a great place for photos.

The lens I used for this shoot was the E-Mount Sigma 19mm f2.8. It is the sister lens of the 30mm f2.8, which I am very enamored of. Although the lens is very sharp in the center at f2.8, its corner sharpness is not as good as the 30mm f2.8, even when stopped down. At f8, the corners are acceptably sharp, but not quite up there to the level of the 30mm. The barrel distortion is also quite a bit worse as well, but miles ahead compared to the kit zoom lens at the same focal length and it's quite a bit better than the Sony E-16mm f.28 pancake. I know it's not fair to compare a very wide angle (19mm) to a mini wide (30mm). The design is different. The wider the lens, the more challenges the designers must overcome to achieve a balance of cost vs quality; both material and optical. At $99, it's a very good deal.

Kensington - NEX-6 & Sigma 19mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Truck & the run-down house/shop - NEX-6 & Sigma 19mm f2.8. Click for larger.

What colors - NEX-6 & Sigma 19mm f2.8. Click for larger.

One of the many "painted houses" - NEX-6 & Sigma 19mm f2.8. Click for larger.

Bistro - NEX-6 & Sigma 19mm f2.8. 

Prelude to Christmas

Unbelievably, the Christmas season is already here again.  Time does seem to fly by when you are getting older.  I remember when I first came to Canada more than 30 years ago, my father would put up the Christmas tree and lights at this time, with presents under the tree, even though we are not Christians.   He would do this every year until he passed away.   I didn't inherit his Christmas spirits and we don't put up a tree for Christmas.  Wonder if he's disappointed knowing this.

The Grinch at Kensington Market - Panasonic G1 & Wollensak Raptar 50mm f1.5

Green Car

Green car -- NEX-5 & Tokina 24mm f2.8 (M42). Click for larger.

I have been shooting almost everyday and my storage is becoming a problem.  Shooting RAW makes things worse.  So I decided to get another 2-Terabyte drive for my Drobo to release the pressing situation.  I took a walk to the computer shops on College & Spadina.  One of the best things about working and living downtown is that everything is so conveniently within close reach, even within walking distance.  On my way home, I went through Kensington Market, which is an interesting place favored by many bargain hunters and those looking unique stuff.  One thing is for sure, it's different!  Just look at the car in the picture.  It's used to grow trees and other plants.