peter,

Many thanks for the information - I haven't tried that close yet - I will have to experiment - the joy of digital.

Mike

Peter,

The second link does show "70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO" and describes Macro between 200-300. The sample I looked at in Henry's was lighter and seemed cheaper in construction and of course not APO.

I wonder if Sigma has changed the lens we have so that it only goes to Macro at 300 because I know of two people with the Canon version of mine who have had the lens stick on Macro. Apparently it took some fiddling, they didn't know about altering the focusing, to get it off Macro. One guy forced the switch and consequently broke it, ruining the lens.

On an aside I love the Macro shot of the spider. I have the Vivitar 6000AF ring flash. I used my original one with my MZ6 and the Sigma 105 Macro. The results were very poor. The store where I purchased took the flash and took several control shots using mine and their cameras and a flash meter. They concluded that the exposures were varying considerably and the flash was replaced by the distributor. The replacement is much better but I have not done much with the DS2 other than confirm that it works OK.

Any tips on the way you set up with the flash, etc.?

Cheers,

Mike

Peter,

Just checked my lens. It is a Sigma 70-300 1:4-5.6 APO DG Macro. Once I rotate the zoom ring to 200 it allows me to use the Macro switch on the lens. The lens is then locked and will only zoom between 200-300.

The US web site is contradictory in that it mentions Macro at 300 and then 200-300. I used mine yesterday and it seemed to work fine, although my composition was poor and needed tripod.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3303&navigator=3

I looked at the lower priced version:

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3304&navigator=3

but the local Henry's chain had a three-day Sigma sale (I walked in on day two) and couldn't resist the deal. The APO worked out cheaper than the normal price of the cheaper lens. Even Mrs. Pearson approved!

Mike
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I also have the Sigma 105 Macro that I use on the DS2 - superb. I also just purchased the Sigma 70-300 APO Macro which is also superb. The macro works between 200 & 300.

I went on a Damselfly & Dragonfly course at a local university last Wednesday but it rained all through the afternoon walk so I didn't take the camera out and still have to try the macro on insects.

Both IMHO are excellent lenses from Sigma.

Mike

I bought the Pentax 28-105 3.2-4.5 IF for my MZ6 and it is excellent. very sharp and one of the best zooms in the price range.

When I bought my DS2 I had to wait for the kit 18-55 so I used the 28-105 for a couple of weeks and got excellent results.

The 28-105 is one lens that I will definitely hold onto. Another is the Pentax 80-320 which was a surprise given the price.

Mike

I also have it on quite good authority that Black's print film is rebadged Fuji. Tried some samples before and excellent quality.

Mike

Matt,

Thanks I think I have the concept. Yesterday he explained that occasionally he would have to refocus the Tamron and then the converter would take over again with no problems. This appeared to happen when the hawk distance varied considerably.

Thanks,

Mike

Matt,

That's so topical - I was out at a local Hawk watching site today and one of the guys is using an *istD with a Tamron 400mm and a Pentax 1.7 converter. He was getting exceptional shots.

I have been wondering for some time about the Pentax 1.7 with my *istDS2 and my Pentax 80-320 and Sigma 170-500.

I take it that you get full autofocus with the 1.7 and the 80-320?

Mike

I have been using the StoFen Omni Bounce on my 360FGZ with exellent results both on *ist DS2 and MZ6. Set the head angle at 45deg for best results.

Also use one on the 500FTZ with good results.

One of the better low priced accessories.

Mike

Fantastic shot Fernando - nothing beats a black and white of this quality.

Mike