Thanks for the comments, first attempt at airshows so I guess I didn't do too bad:

Davex, only realised about the shutter speed when I got to view the images at home, any sugestions much appreciated 1/500th? or slower?

Oggy, I think the third may benefit from a little sharpening, there was a lot of smoke in the air at this point and it was affecting clarity

The last image is a 100% of the fourth, looks alright to my tired eyes

The Red Arrows were superb as always

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/_IGP4407.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/_IGP4432.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/_IGP4452.jpg[/IMG]

Regards,

John

Went to the Airshow at Rhyl over the weekend, Sunday turned out to have reasonable weather for the main display. Managed a few shots with the K20D and DA*300. A good afternoon spent relaxing next to the beach, recommended to anyone, especially as it's a dree event.....

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/Trains%20Planes%20and/_IGP4419.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/Trains%20Planes%20and/2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/Trains%20Planes%20and/_IGP4579.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/Trains%20Planes%20and/_IGP4655.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/Trains%20Planes%20and/_IGP4655_crop.jpg[/IMG]

Regards,

John

it's good to here it's not a bad lens, I tend to "go off on one" and suddenly thought after re-reading some of the thread, Sigma 400mm
If it's the later APO, you're unlikely to find anything better IQ wise without a change of camera make. I debated buying the Sigma 400 APO for quite some time, then Sigma brought out the 120-400 OS HSM and I was undecided which would be the better choice. Better IQ of the 400mm prime or the benefit of zoom, OS and Sigma's version of Quick Shift manual focus. Then I heard reports of reliability problems with the 120-400 and 150-500, so in the end I just decided to keep what I have and see what comes along........beter the devil you know.........

John

Hi Carl,

Just one question, what model is the Sigma 400mm you have 400/5.6 APO Tele Macro (77mm filter size) or erlier (72mm filter)?

The APO Tele Macro is reputed to be a fine lens

Regards,

John

Yes, you will, from experience. I think the Sigma 100-300/4 with 1.4x TC may be close though, but I've never used one myself. There's a test on that combo on Photozone (Nikon):

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/369-sigma-af-100-300mm-f4...

.....and a Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED with TC's:

http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/228-nikkor-af-s-300mm-f4d...

I would think the DA*300 would be every bit as good as the Nikkor IMHO

John

Also found here:

http://k-rumors.com/k4-finally-hoya-decided-to-make-a-pentax-mirrorless-camera/

If you scroll down the right side:

http://k-rumors.com/k4-samyang-35mm-f1-4-for-pentax-mount-coming-early-2010/


Samyang next lens for Pentax mount will be the 35mm f/1.4

mmmmmmmm

John

A very nice set, I think the comment regarding field curvature sums up the softness at the edges. Many ultra wide lenses perform this way the older 10-20 4-5.6 has a lttle and the DA 15mm to a lesser extent. Looks like a really nice location, I've visited Matlock Bath many times, but less so Matlock itself.

Regards,

John

Thanks Carl, if money were no object I'd probaly buy a FA* 600/4 but I have to live in the real world:

There's probably not much in it price wise, assuming you could get the FA* 400 for £1200, unless you opt for a s/h DA*300. One went on Ebay a short while back for £610 IIRC. I think the only advantage to the DA*300 with TC's is I get 300mm, 420mm and 510mm with one lens and 2 converters, I really like what the lens is capable of at 300mm though.

John

Hi, I don't have the F 1.7 x AF converter, but use the DA*300 with a Teleplus 1.5x SHQ converter. It gives good results although the focus hunts a little at times, corrected using Quick Shift. It's compatible with SDM on the DA* primes.

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/Lens%20Tests/Bullfinch.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/Lens%20Tests/Kingfisher.jpg[/IMG]

I've also used the 1.7 SHQ conveter but it degrades the IQ more than the 1.5x, still usable though IMHO

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/Lens%20Tests/godwits.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac49/johnwhit24/Lens%20Tests/geese.jpg[/IMG]

It's a lovely lens, you can use it wide open at f/4, dust and moisture sealed, fast almost silent focus and Quick shift manual focus.

Regards,

John