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| sent on December 06, 2015 (23:37)
You in the Christmas card business?? Nicely done, Ann. |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (0:05)
Thanks, Tim! I was trying out my new tripod :) This is one I couldn't have taken hand held as I had turned all other light sources off and I had to manually focus, too, which is something I've only just started to do, so still needs some practise! |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (0:10)
Oh yes, tripod essential. And welcome to the big bad world of manual focus! Your mega zoom is slow and hence a dark viewfinder, a proper macro is f2.8 and therefore bright and much easier to focus!
I used my big new bag today! And very comfortable it is too, even with the little tripod attached to it. I didn't walk far (I didn't have to - the drama in the nearby cathedral close was subject enough!).
It was the last day of the Christmas Tree Festival in St Thomas' Church and I got shots of string quartets and brass bands playing carols, I shall post one up in due course. |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (0:19)
I have a tilting live view screen on my camera, so that helped considerably. I suppose that means that it ought to be easy to manually focus but I didn't find it so.
I also bought a Sigma macro lens but it remains in its box, possibly until Christmas. And possibly not. I'm always a little scared of new things like that, even when it's something I really want. Strange but true. |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (0:26)
That's down to you and your conscious, of course... but bad weather and dark days could be offset by macro experimenting with everyday items - stainless steel colanders in particular can provide hours of fun...(!!!)
I note that you said 'Sigma', rather than Nikon. You can (or not, if your prefer) reply as and when you wish...)
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| sent on December 07, 2015 (0:36)
I don't have a stainless steel colander......another expense, then! :)) I have a busy time in the run up to Christmas, so in a way it's probably better if I don't start using it because I know it will make time evaporate!
I decided to go with the Sigma in the end because there really doesn't seem to be much between the two except about £230! I hope I don't regret my choice. I think you said that given a free choice, you would go with the Nikon. How do you find the colour with the Sigma? The guy in CC said that the Sigma may have slightly more blue tones. I imagine that whilst it remains in the box, I have the option to exchange it...... |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (0:46)
An essential purchase, then, Boxing Day sales always have lots of shiny colanders...
Sometimes, salespeople - especially on Saturdays - never buy anything important on a Saturday, as they get in more staff, less experienced staff, especially at this time of year. I think you'll find the colour rendition the last thing on your mind when you finally use it, Ann. As if you can compare between lenses anyway and at the very worse, it's not as if you can't warm up an image slightly in Lightroom. I've never heard any problems with colour rendition with any Sigma lens, Ann.
If you continue to post shots where a macro lens would have been ideal, then I'll keep commenting so! So, don't and I won't! I'll forget and then it'll be a nice surprise when you do finally use it. LOL |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (1:05)
Lol! I'd better look out for one then! :)
As a general rule I agree with you about Saturday staff but it wasn't a problem on this occasion. There was no one else in the shop when I first went in except about four staff. And the guy I spoke to, Hugh, is one of the regular staff who has helped me in the past. He seemed very knowledgeable (and patient, as I looked at the tripod and ball head a bit cluelessly!) and was able to answer all my questions and made no attempt to persuade me to make the more expensive purchase. And all at a very reasonable price, so I'm happy :)) |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (1:21)
The Nikon is the best macro, probably from all and any brands - and who wouldn't want that? But for the Sigma to almost match it is quite an achievement for Sigma and as you say, the cost difference is another lens - or a weekend away. That difference cannot be ignored - I much prefer a savvy buyer than one who spends like water but has no idea what they are buying. I've had to do this all my life!
As far as sales staff are concerned, many don't take photographs, they are sellers not photographers. And if they are, most of their time is spent in a shop selling rather than being out there taking the photos, using the gear.... This is why I chat in Salisbury's CC when they are quiet, not only are my exploits occasionally amusing, they give real feedback in the field. And it's important/useful to check out user reviews (taken liberally and with a pinch of salt) online - real people, taking real photos, with the same worries as you and I. Shops do stock some makes and models and not others and they have their targets and so whilst they won't push a shoddy product on you, it helps you to ask the right questions.
But you've bought it now and well done! Look forward to the results soon - but don't forget, good macro shots - some of the best of which you can see on Juza, is an extremely difficult genre, demanding good technique as well as good equipment. You have the latter, the former only comes with use and practice, so give it time and experimenting and don't expect perfection straight away. |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (1:30)
Thanks, Tim! I am a cautious buyer and tend to do lots of research beforehand, whenever I am buying anything of any significance.
I hope that means you won't expect perfection from me straight away, either! :) |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (1:37)
Remember to turn the OS to 'off' when using a tripod and don't expect me to 'like' when I don't, other than that, fill up your Small Things gallery as and when - and how you want! |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (1:42)
Unless it's blowing a gale, and the lens is vibrating visibly (as on the Cumbrian coast), in which case I was advised to turn it back on. It made all the difference!
I don't expect you to 'like' when you don't! Of course, that works both ways..... :) |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (1:52)
I said, on a tripod! That is because the VR/OS system is so clever, it will actually expect some movement during the exposure and will actually kick in CREATING movement to counteract - it is not clever enough to know the difference! That is why! Also, VR/OS etc can be really useful simply to help frame the shot when using a long focal length, so I'll often have my 70-300mm with it on almost all of the time.
( - - If your tripod is vibrating in the wind, handholding with VR will be a better option, unless the exposure is a long one. Throw said tripod into the sea or come back on a calmer day!) |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (2:03)
I know you said on a tripod! And on a tripod it was! It was a rather nice carbon fibre tripod that John G had loaned me. I would have stood no chance at all hand held. It was whilst it was on said tripod, that it was suggested that I try turning it back on. As I said, it was very windy!
One of the things that I really appreciated about the week in the Lakes was that it showed me that decent photos can be taken in almost any weather (even if it may mean retreating inside a cave for a different kind of photography for a while, while the worst of the wet passes, as happened on another day!) |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (2:12)
I'll take his word for it - he's the expert, I guess.
And did John G, or anyone there moan that you didn't have that neutral density filter? |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (2:21)
No :) In fact, once I'd learned about reading histograms and blinkies, he said many complimentary things about the results I was achieving without the help of any filters :)
A starter Lee filter kit is probably next on my 'wish' list....... |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (2:27)
What the heck is a blinky?? !!
Exposing for the highlights and then extracting the shadows has always been my motto and way of working, until recently and my now regular use of grad greys.
Wish list, for, next Christmas? lol
Everything's gone italic! |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (2:37)
Lol! The blinkies are the highlights - they blink :))
I don't think I'll want to wait until next Christmas! Maybe my birthday, which is much sooner......
I know! I turned one word into italic but it seems to have stuck! |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (3:10)
I like it when it's all technical like that!! You think Nikon engineers called them that when developing the camera too?
Your birthday is Boxing Day?? lol |

| sent on December 07, 2015 (3:25)
I think it's a great word - so apt! It wouldn't surprise me if they had! :)
Haha! Thankfully not quite that soon - I'll need a little recovery time after yesterday's spend! :)
Catch up with you tomorrow! |
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