Hi All!

We’ve finally received the tripod collar for our newly acquired Sigma 170-500mm lens. Unfortunately the sun hasn’t been cooperating since so I don’t have any good shots taken with that lens to share. So I thought it might be nice to take a few shots of the lens itself mounted on my K20D on our tripod. That way you all can see what it actually looks like. I used Christine’s K10D to take the shots.

It is quite self-evident that the lens is a monster, and for proper photography I feel one really does need to place on a tripod. Hand holding it can be OK in good light, but the arms get tired quick!

Anywho, here are the pics!

… this time!

Actually, these are a couple of sample shots with our new (second hand) Sigma 170-500mm lens. So far I think I’ll be happy with it! Both sets of shots have been post processed, with some cropping each. As well, a 100% crop is included for each to show how much detail is being resolved.

The first shot is of a training aircraft that was flying above our heads, between 1,000 and 1,500 feet AGL I estimate. I was somewhat careless with the sharpening so it looks grainy. However, you can see how much detail I can bring out in that shot. As it turns out, ZLE is one of the aircraft that belongs to Christine’s school.

The other is obviously of the moon. Chris and I were out in the back yard (otherwise known as a small patch of grass!) and Chris showed me her shot of the moon. I thought it was a great idea and took one myself. Now this is handheld, so I’ll try to improve on it once we get the tripod collar for it.

I was looking outside my window today and I saw “Patches” make herself comfortable on Christine’s fabric chair on the front balcony. I couldn’t resist taking a few shots. The first 2 are with the DA 12-24mm, the other 2 with the DA* 50-135mm. Sorry if this is a bit repetitive, but too bad. I work with what I got, and right now I got cats!

Hi folks,

Let me introduce you to a term I discovered while expanding my photography knowledge (albeit slowly)… LBA or Lens Buyer Addiction. It afflicts pretty much most if not every photographer. It constitutes an irresistable urge to procure quality lenses, even if one has no need of them. I’ve fought hard against this addiction

Actually it looks like Christine and I have pretty much completed our lens collection for the foreseeable future. We’ve recently purchased 2 lenses, 1 new and the other second hand.

The new lens we purchased, and is currently enroute is the new Pentax DA* 60-250mm f4. I have been waiting for this lens to come out for probably about 3 years now. It’s finally here. The lens retails for $1900 + taxes at Henry’s and Vistek. I managed to snag a Canadian copy of this lens (new with 2 yr warranty) for $1500 + taxes. Yahoo! So far online reporting shows it to be a VERY good lens so I’m quite keen to get it in my hands.

The second hand lens is the Sigma APO 170-500mm, f5-6.3 DG. A good deal popped up on Please Login or Register to see the link.. Now, it is considered a middle-of-the-road lens, and won’t on its own win any beauty contests. However, $565 is a fair price for the quality we are getting and we will get the opportunity to play at that focal range to see if it is of value, and how often so. If we find we really like the range then we may (in the future) upgrade to a better lens. I’m quite curious to see what I can do at the 300 to 500mm zoom range.

So ya, I think for now that’s going to have to be it for new lens procurements, time to focus our dwindling funds to other things. I’ll post some pictures when I have the chance.

Well…

Yesterday I went on a little trip around Vancouver, waiting for calls from a couple of people while trying to chase a great deal on a Pentax lens. No dice on the lens… but I took a few shots while in Kitsilano.

Not much to say, other than hope you enjoy the shots.

RadMan