Congratulations on winning! I actually would think that you would have won something somewhere much earlier, considering the high quality of your photos.

Hi brettmeikle. I am currently in discussion with a potential buyer. Although if this does not fall through, I will let you know via a private message.

---

Replies to a couple of private messages.

There are some really good photos posted! I was kinda hoping somebody with a telescope would have posted a photo here. Anyway, I love the astronaut photo the best LOL

Well, here it is, what I have been able to accomplish:




It was a great day, visibility was superb.

Looking forward to what you guys will come up with.

Selling one of my lenses, the Sigma 24-70 2.8 EX DG Macro. I hate to part with it, but I haven't used it much since getting the Samyang 85 1.4 and there's a couple of bills that I was not expecting (moved houses, non double glazed windows, winter, go figure ).

Anyway, here's the obligatory product photo, pardon the "bedroom studio setup":




What's included:

* Sigma 24-70 2.8 EX DG Macro
* Lens hood.
* Carrying case.
* Box with documentation.
* 82mm Marumi UV Filter.

The lens is in good condition. No dust specks, no scratches, focusing is fast and switch from manual to auto is snappy (you have to push/pull to switch from manual to auto focus).

Here are some photos taken using the lens:










Best things about this lens are:

1. Big focusing ring.
2. Short focusing distance.
3. Weight (maybe a con for many, but for my GX-10 with grip, it just balances it out).
4. A bit wider. 2.8's usually start at 28mm, and this is 24mm, not that wide but very usable as a walk around lens.
5. Beautiful bokeh.

Okay, if I go on any further I probably would not want to sell this lens anymore. So, price is £270.00 plus postage (Royal Mail Special Delivery) plus PayPal fees. This will probably go on eBay Sunday evening if I don't get a response here.

I have the Samyang, and one of my biggest gripes with it is that you need to be at least a meter away from your subject.

I was really annoyed at it for not being able to focus closer (almost to the point of selling the lens here), but then I learned to work around it and have a newfound love for the lens.

Oh and another thing, I learned how to actively work with manual focusing on an 85mm (should I say 128mm?) lens. That's something I can use and would not have had the time to experience if I was using AF.

I bought the Samyang from SRS for £189.

PM sent.

My favourite easily is the first of the lot (simply beautiful), but kudos for pulling off the fourth one, at 250mm too!

I came across this video by Thomas Shahan and have found myself having an urge, a sense for adventure. I can't wait for summer, with my trusty extension tubes and reverser ring, I just need to be creative and make a somewhat similar flash setup that he has going on there, then I'm all set!

Oh and of course the mosquito repellant.

It's funny how one viewer commented "You're like the Bob Ross of macrophotography." LOL

Excellent photos, great photographer. I sure have learned some important things from the video.

Anyway, I hope you found this interesting, and hope you can share your thoughts about this video here.

I am very curious as to how this looks like on your camera.