Thanks Brian, I'll keep the ball rolling, so to speak & try & capture something tomorrow. I'll send it over to you if you don't mind as I do not have any file-hosting facilities at present. If you could PM me your email, that'd be great.

I think the judging format was better this time around, just a quick summary & the thumbs were a fine idea. So I'll do my best to duplicate that. (Open for any ideas to the format of course as this particular comp is in its infancy)

Bob

Thanks all for your replies. Has given me more to consider. I think the new body announcement may complicate things further though.

Glad you're enjoying it, I hope it IS mint rather than WAS mint

Ah.. thought you must of got that wrong Mike but I've just found the small print on SIgmas site: (Sony and Pentax fittings will not allow AF when the optional 1.4x or 2x teleconverter is attached.) which is more than a little crappy.

I'm trying hard to curtail the LBA whilst waiting on the new body announcement but have been looking at telephotos as my kit is lacking in that dept.

I'm leaning toward getting a 70-200mm f2.8 & a 2x TC so that I can have a stab at street candids & fit the TC for some wildlife shots. Now, although the Sigma 70-200mm looks somewhat softer & has more CA at the longer end than the Tamron, the HSM would prove very valuable I would think (draw less attention in street & not scare wildlife in the field). I'm a little confused as to its compatibility with TC's though. - a few questions if you will:

Will only a Sigma 2X TC retain the HSM AF & give accurate metering, or will any other currently available TC do the job ?
If it is only Sigma, is there a special model no. or denomination I need to look out for ?
Will a TC (Sigma or otherwise), when used with my Sigma 70mm 1:1 Macro, convert it to an effectively 140mm 2:1 Macro or will it be a 140mm 1:1 ?

Anyone have the answers please ?

Cheers, Bob

I prefer the first Stefan. The second one seems oversharpened & the highlight on the ladybug is off-putting.

Cliff, this is a M series lens & has no electrical contacts so metering can only be done on a stop-down basis. If you're going to shoot still life macro then it's no real issue as you can adjust exposure & try again. If you're aiming to capture insects then the noise from the stop-down meter may scare them off.

Edit... mike beat me to it

I can't do a great job on a small compressed image, but I'd suggest you up the contrast a little & also try cropping tighter top & left (moving subjects are generally best framed with more space to move into)

I hope you don't mind but I've quickly knocked up an example, it can be removed if you wish.

[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q105/RR76/European-Rollercopy.jpg[/IMG]

Regards, Bob

See this LINK on how to post photos.




Wonderful coloured bird well captured, but the image is lacking contrast I feel.

Thanks Peter, I really should make more of it. I did need it for this one though !

[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q105/RR76/lfpg.jpg[/IMG]

Well put together guide there Simon, I wish I'd read that before I left. I must return for a longer period I think, I hate to admit it being a South Walian but the grass is just a little greener through Snowdonia