Hello All

I'm currently pricing up a Cokin filter system. Considering I don't have much consistency in filter thread size but do have some large diameter lenses it is a much more cost effective way of getting a comprehensive filter set. For the price of 2 decent polarisers for a 72mm and a 77mm I could get an entire filter setup! It's also attractive that I can buy it in stages and for the cost of an £11 adapter they can be used with any lens.

What I don't get is the lens hood issue. I understand a lot of the reasons for using a lens hood (preventing flare, increasing contrast etc). I don't understand how you achieve these with the cokin filters attached. Is it just a case of "you don't" or is there something I'm missing?

If so I presume the conclusion is that the best quality is probably obtained from circulars filters with a lens hood.

Cheers

Failed to convice my Dad to purchase a KX...

He has decided to spend his birthday money on a Nikon D5000 instead with a kit lens and a Tamron 70-300. £619 (including Nikon cashback deal) from the highstreet chain that shall not be named. Not actually bad value I suppose.

I couldn't make him see the light of getting the white KX kit currently on clearance at Park Cameras (£439) and then getting a secondhand tele lens which would have given him about £110 spare.

The Nikon will serve him well but it's a shame he won't be able to borrow my decent lenses.

Actually, come to think of it, that's a positive for me! It only becomes a negative if he starts buying some good lenses.

The 250 is also on Amazon at a reasonable price.

Anyone know if they would be any use on the Pentax-A 100mm macro? I have a feeling the lens would be too big. I know it's 1:1 macro as it is but tempted at that price to purchase a Raynox 150 and try some really close up work. I guess I might need to get a decent flash though because I'd need to stop down a lot to get the depth of field...

All this talk of the sigma 100-300mm and 1.4 tele has got me excited. I'm managed to procure one and am waiting for it to be delivered. Can't wait! If it is half as good as everyone says I will be a very pleased amateur photographer indeed.

Suffice to say I will be learning from Mike and keeping coffee well away...

I actually wouldn't bet against an HSM version being released as the price of the existing lens fell recently which could indicate them clearing the way for a new version. From what I understand the screw drive is pretty fast focussing though so I am happy.

Thanks for everyone's comments. I thought that there was some underexposure - I seem to be a bit prone to that as well as taking wonky horizons. I'll also make a note to work on framing and/or croping in editing. Don't really have excuses with them being wildlife shots - the galapagos animals are so tame they seem to sit and pose for you. I'm sure if you asked them to turn into the light they would.

Maybe if I get some time I'll edit them and repost my attempts to fix them.

Cheers all.

I wouldn't have thought the shake reduction could introduce that much error (and it definitely couldn't produce the slanting horizons in the pictures that I did spot).

Maybe my eyes are wonky.

Cheers technoidiot. I'm pleased with them but know I've got room for improvement...

... as impotentspider has pointed out. From looking back through the pictures I took I've realised that I'm terrible at getting the horizon straight - that one is no exception. Need to keep that in mind when I'm selecting photos to post on t'internet

And the last few.










Thanks for looking. As I said I'd really appreciate some guidance on what I'm doing wrong from some more experienced people.

Cheers,

WG

Some scenery shots.










The last two have obviously seen a bit of alteration. The train was taken and adjusted using the single colour filter in-camera. The salt flats pic has had some curves adjustment but not as much as you might think (the polariser did an astounding job on the sky - maybe too much).

Some more Galapagos wildlife (the animals are so tame they're easy to get close to and shoot).