Let's be Friends

[Donald]

Sitting in the garden. Playing with and getting used to the new lens. This just seemed a nice wee image.


40D, Sigma 120-400 F4.5-5.6 APO DG OS (which is far too big a mouthful!)@400mm. ISO 100. 1/350@f5.6.

[jiro]

Good shot, Donald. Good composition, nice choice of aperture opening, good subject, and good b&w conversion.

[Katy Noelle]

That is a sweet and pleasant image! How do you like your new lens, then? (in reality, though, I think that's a silly question because they just take getting used to, don't they?)

[Donald]

How do you like your new lens, then? (in reality, though, I think that's a silly question because they just take getting used to, don't they?)

Not silly, but a true statement.

And given the fact that our house is in turmoil at the moment because we're getting a new wood-burning stove installed and the guy doing it ended up in hopsital at the weekend with some unknown stomach problem, life is not conducive to a relaxing extended session with the new lens. And because our house is so old it's got old-fashioned lathe and plaster as opposed to plasterboard on the walls. So as soon as you start to dig into it, the mess from plaster dust is unbelieveable.

But the old open fire was too inefficient and hopefully we'll be able to keep warm this winter.

[Katy Noelle]

My word!

[rob marshall]

This is just some cunning new subterfuge to win round the ladies and get more eesh's handed out. Resorting to my Dr-Doolittle-talks-to-the-animals ain't gonna work, buster!

Cute shot though...

[Letrow]

Nice shot Donald and ooh...I envy you that lens. I have been looking at rumours on a new Nikon 200-400mm lens coming out and I would definitely be interested in that. This does sound attractive as well though and probably a lot cheaper. How is the focus on this lens, is it fast? That is one of the main complaints on the current 200-400mm from Nikon.
And how is vibration reduction? Can you use it handheld or is that too farfetched?

[Donald]

How is the focus on this lens, is it fast? That is one of the main complaints on the current 200-400mm from Nikon.
And how is vibration reduction? Can you use it handheld or is that too farfetched?

Peter

I find the focus very fast. There is very little difference, if any, between it and my Canon 70-200 f4 L IS.

EDIT - Or I should say that there is no discernible difference to my mind, but I do not demand such fast autofocus for the sort of stuff I normally do. Perhaps those wildlife and spots specialists out there would see significant differences.

I wouldn't want to use it handheld for very long and I have not yet tried shooting with it handheld with the OS (Optical Stabilisation) system operating.

[RockNGoalStar]

Beautifully crisp image and it looks great in B&W. I can't wait to see a lot more greatness from you and that new lens of yours!

PS. You'll love the new woodburner - we have one at home in Wales and it's great!

[wilgk]

Rob, he already has won us over I think, Katy just does want to devalue the worth of an eesh by just handing them out at any old time
We used to have 1 open fire only in the whole old wooden house for heating when we were children in the deep south of New Zealand, I have no idea how we coped as I complain now if the central hearing in the whole house moves off 21 degrees in a mild Australian winter.....

[JohnC]

Very nice. I think they've clocked you pointing the lens at them.

[Steve S]

Looks like a sharp copy, donald. Now all you need is a bunch of bambi's to photograph.

A very pleasant image. Nice depth of field and the usual (very well done) b&w conversion.

[KeithH]

A great capture and lovely conversion Donald. Enjoy the new lens. Love the title btw

[Dave Humphries]

Good shot Donald,

Glad you like the new beast.

Cheers,

[Donald]

Thank you for the comments. As I said elsewhere, I don't think I'll ever make it as a wildlife photographer (not patient enough), but it's fun to dabble now and again.

But then I'll just tune in and enjoy the work of the experts on here.

[ucci]

By the time I got to see this post all the best techo comments had already been pinched and used by someone else. So what's to say other than a great shot which works very well in B&W, clean, crisp and beautifully framed. I like the expressions on your subjects; for want of a better way to put it, you seem to have caught their inner animus. They sure have their eye on you and what you are up to. On Katy N's scale, I reckon 11 eesh's out of 10.

( Katy N, just for the record, how many ooh-aah's are there in one of your eesh's?)
Cheers
K

[KTHXBAI]

I love the title... Great image.

[Clactonian]

An unusual image from you Donald but definitely up to scratch.
I have you classified largely as a landscape photographer so why the 120-400 ?

M

[Donald]

I have you classified largely as a landscape photographer so why the 120-400 ?

Got no intention of changing, Mike.

When I was in Beaujolais, I started to see opportunities for some long-lens landscapes. The bug bit me and wouldn't let go. So I did a lot of surfing t'net when I got back and, I suspect, read everything that's on there about the subject, until I had truly convinced myself that this is what I needed.

A case of heart ruling head!

So, now I've got to make it work!

[Clactonian]

When I was in Beaujolais, I started to see opportunities for some long-lens landscapes.

The only thing that worries me Donald is that a wine buff like you should be concerning himself with the opportunities for long-lens lanscapes when in Beaujolais.
I oh so hope I have your dedication in Burgundy shortly, but I can feel a weakening in my resolve already!!
Keep us posted with you thoughts on the 120-400.

M