The Sigma has a limiter switch too.

Dan

The South and London User Group (SLUG), and that means anyone who wants to come along , are having a meet at Stowe Landscape Gardens in Buckinghamshire. Map shown here.

The gardens open at 10.30am, so if we meet at 11.00am that will allow time for everyone to get in and sort themselves out. The gardens close at 5.30pm, and I don't see why we can't hang around til then! The parkland will be open until dusk, so if you want to stay longer there will be that opportunity too.

Refreshments can be bought in the on-site tea shop, but it's probably an idea to bring a picnic and extra drinks.

Some of the views in the garden are shown on the Photo Gallery on the NT website. Note there is a charge for entry to the gardens, but I think it will be worth it for the photo opportunities, and the pleasure of meeting you lot.

Any questions, fire away!

See you there,
Dan

Well, as any date seemed to be okay with most people, and as I'm getting booked up into August, I'm going to make the executive decision that the meet will be on Sunday 16th August 2009.

I'll start a new thread I think, with a more descriptive title...

Kris, that sounds like a nice idea (the meet up in London in October/November), I'd certainly be up for that. Pity you're away (Romania?) for the summer.

Dan

But then he won't be able to afford a K-7. Mongoose, you need to buy one now, in readiness...

Dan

I could tell you, but I'd then either have to kill you or charge you. Actually, if you really wanted me to describe the taking process, I could. Let me know.

Our boat was out of Stalham, so it might be a quieter bit of river than near Wroxham. We may have just been lucky though, although there were several pairs along the river there. Also, although I don't think this made a difference to how close we could get, we hired an electric boat. Not at all smelly, and no engine ticking over, so vibrations were not a problem.

Dan

Sigma are quite happy to repair lenses bought in the US as long as they have been properly imported, ie. all taxes paid etc.

See here

Dan

And here's another one, and again some bad language and very immature humour, but I find it hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxi6QDwQyLU

Dan

Al, just for you, here are my estimates for distances, and all the other important settings...

Grebes: Probably about 15-20 feet away. 1/750s at f/4.5, ISO200. Handheld from slowly moving boat. Images cropped to about 75% of full frame.

Seals: Distant shot from perhaps 40-50 feet? Closer shots from 15 feet and 8 feet approx. 1/250s at f/5.6, ISO200. Handheld, no cropping.

Turnstones: 5-8 feet approx. First shot was 1/350s, second 1/180s, both at f/4.5, ISO200. Handheld again, first cropped to about 60%, second one full frame. Lying on stomach.


What I like about the DA*300 is that wide open it's pretty much as sharp as it is stopped down. And it's a very sharp lens. And I use it for all sorts of subjects too, flowers, insects, birds, ferns...



K10D, DA*300mm, 1/6s at f/8, ISO100, tripod, minimum focus distance (4.5 feet I think), 3 second mirror up self-timer with remote release (wireless), overcast day, bluebells in background, reflector to left side, dirty knees, no-one else around, bliss.

Dan

Just had a look at the website (very subtle hints there, by the way ), and it looks nice, but the spelling needs an overhaul...

'expierience', 'temperary', 'untill', 'supplers' and 'Kiton'?

Dan

Ah, now, you can't use that phrase with the K-7, it's all metal.

And, you'll be delighted to know, it has a proper mirror lock-up. Surely worth a few hundred to you, because I know that's something you really wanted.

Just out of interest, what do you video that you need these very long continuous shots?

Dan