17-70

This photo looks way better in TIFF.....I can't figure out a way to not lose image quality converting from RAW to TIFF to JPEG, and resizing.....

Sigma 10-20 EX f4-f5.6

I really, really, really like this lens and recommend it to everyone with a digital crop 1.6x sensor. It can be had on BH for 459 using the PSNOV code, or u can try and wing a deal on ebay for cheaper. It also comes with a 5 year warranty. If you get one, test a few shots and make sure the right side isn't blurry (mine isn't), but it's a problem with a SMALL fraction of others. I'm done buying lenses; I am going into the hole since getting hit with the "bug." I now own, the Canon 50 mm 1.8, and Sigma's 10-20, 17-70, and 70-300 Non APO. I should sell the 50, because i'll probably never use it again, except for maybe taking pics of my niece, when she comes back to town.

First full week of school is in, and I dig my all of my classes so far. Work and School 12-13 hours a day is real fun, but I'm pushing myself more than I ever have. It'll pay off someday.

I tested these shots the day after I got it, and no I don't own this house ;).

I can't recall the settings I used on the house/street photos. But I THINK I had the "statue" one on 5.6 at with a 30 second exposure and 100 ISO. There is some distortion on the edges, which can be corrected in seconds using Photoshop. I also used the "Tungsten" effect on the White balance (in RAW conversion), it brings a unique and more colorful way of bringing out the colors in night photos. (As I have learned on watching night photography videos).

I'm digging this photography thing, but still haven't a clue about all of it yet. My next project is going to be bracketing and HDR photos, hopefully of the KC skyscrapers or the Plaza or something, probably at night.





This is a 100 percent crop of the house photo......pretty sharp.

Sledding

Well this was fun today, I attempted to shoot some kids and adults sledding. Here are a few, I'll add more tomorrow. Most at 800 ISO and 300 mm. More tomorrow.......

New Lenses Have Arrived

Just started school yesterday, and I graduate from Community College this Summer. WOO HOO. It took me long enough, LOL. Knock on wood, I will transfer to KU and begin a painful process of getting a degree in GIS. I've come this far, I might as well go a little further. If someone would have told me last year, I was in the position I am right now, I would have laughed. I've spun a complete 180, and there's no looking back. Someone has definitely been looking out for me, and I'm grateful for everything I have ever had, good or bad.

After a successful return of Canon's 17-40 L back to BH, I swapped it for a Sigma 10-20 4.0-5.6, and the chaser-friendly Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 with Macro Capabilities. Hopefully, I get a chance to test it out this weekend.

With work and night school again, this semester is going to be HECTIC.

I have no idea how to forecast snow, besides looking at the PRECIP models. The NWS in EAX says anywhere from 3-6 with locally higher amounts. I hope it stays cold through March, as my chasing will be very limited this year.

The photo is with my old 18-55 lens, which I took about a month ago at Lake Olathe. I thought it was cool with my dog, Juneau in the background.

Cardinals

I just threw out some birdseed today, and watched a variety of birds land and fight over the food, in the sleet. I shot these through my backdoor window...

Some Geese Pics

Very cold outside today, but I decided to try and shoot some pics of geese. Most were hand held and anywhere from 70-300 mm. It is the CHEAPER version of the Sigma 70-300 (non apo) i believe. I bought it for 130 bucks shipped. Good for me to practice with this, before I venture out into buying a better one. AI Focus is impossible with this lens, so most were manual. Would be nice to get better bokeh, as when opened up it only hits 5.6 at 300 mm.

Shot at Cedar lake, Olathe KS. Literally hundreds of them flew in for an hour, round after round. It was very peaceful, and noone but the geese and I were out there.

17-40

What a shitty lens......(or at least mine is). Very soft on the left side, and I swear that my KIT lens is sharper. Needless to say, I'm sending it back for the Sigma 17-70 f2.8, which is what I should have bought in the first place. I'm also picking up the Sigma 10-20.

Couple of Sample shots from the 17-40 are below. It lacks great color and sharpness, which is what the "L" series is supposed to be about. Darin and Mike Parker both have the 17-70, and the pics are night and day. Parker showed me some comparisons between the two, and the Sigma wins in a blowout. At a price of only $349, after you enter the secret code at bh ;), I have to pick it up, along with the 10-20.

I also have a telephoto on the way (A cheap Sigma 75-300). So hopefully I can share some photos on here in the upcoming weeks.

Spring needs to hurry up.