shots worth sharing

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<p>And Dave Hollander is a lucky man. Of which, I'm sure, he's well aware.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Indeed! </p>

<p>Don't feel bad, Hin--I'm not good at BIF either. You'll notice that my birds are usually perched (even the hummingbirds--they're just perched in mid-air ;~) </p>

<p>Nice shots folks, and thanks for the congrats! I guess I can take a bit more credit for Clara's college admission than for Dad's longevity. </p>

<p>Here's Dad and his two sisters at his 99th birthday party last night: (DA 35/2.5 Macro Ltd)<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-dJ5mPGv/1/M/i-dJ5mPGv-M.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="343" /></p>

<p>Also from the party: Clara, who got her first college admission notice yesterday. (FA77/1.8 Ltd)<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-sbR2rhw/0/XL/i-sbR2rhw-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Nice Matt--the Milky Way over your shoulder is a nice touch. The stream is really nice too--wonderful light.<br>

That's a blue ribbon photo, Guus! </p>

<p>As usual it's a mixed bag for me:<br>

A snail with the FA*200/4 (it's hard to get that lens off the K-5 IIs)<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Nature/Fauna/i-qt6QVT4/0/L/_IGP5201csm-L.jpg" alt="" /> <br>

A grab shot with the Sigma 70-200/2.8:<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/The-Fun-House/The-Fun-House/i-LftJJXm/0/XL/IMGP5411c%20%20sm-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>And one of a great many Field Hockey shots with the Sigma 100-300/4:<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-Vrs2MS7/0/XL/i-Vrs2MS7-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

 

Can't get excited about the look of the thing--it's all about features and performance as far as I'm concerned.

<p>Oh, dear: "the last tomatoes" :~( Time to hibernate.</p>

 

<p>I'd help you out with your ID, Doug, but I've been similarly stumped--seems like there are seventy-eleven birds which sorta look like that ;~)<br>

"The stick sank. So..." LOL!<br>

# 1 is nifty, Hin.<br>

That Horusbennu serves you well, Yury.<br>

You caught Pebble in a great pose, Bulent. <br>

Sharrp shot too, Howard.<br>

I went out looking for birds in a sorta nearby protected area last week--great habitat but no birds. Fortunately, I'd brought the FA 200 macro with me so I still had fun:<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Nature/Floras/i-pq6sNGb/0/L/IMGP4845sm-L.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Nature/Floras/i-vXFsJsZ/0/XL/IMGP4918fbwsm-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Nature/Floras/i-RWtDC3h/0/XL/IMGP4855c%20sm-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

<p>One of many pieces of 'nature art' which decorate our park. The artist is Fred Merrill<br>

K-5 & Sigma 8-16/4.5-5.6 DC HSM<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Things/Things-and-Things-which-Arent/i-4btWT4S/0/XL/IMGP2889%20%20-XL.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="530" /></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Nice photo PJ--it looks like a lovely place.<br>

I agree with Doug about the Bear's Head Tooth Fungi, Robert. Also about the "Cat": I laughed aloud.<br>

Your photos arre always wonderful, Hin no matter whjat you shoot with.<br>

It was kind of a slow week in terms of photography--pretty much limited to wandering the yard. I'm afraid I have no idea what plants these are.<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Nature/Floras/i-Q7vW9QK/0/L/IMGP2580cusm-L.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Nature/Floras/i-pWpNHhr/0/L/IMGP2582csm-L.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

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<p>glad to see you back!</p>

</blockquote>

<p>agree.</p>

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<p>You only get one great dog in your life</p>

</blockquote>

<p>disagree.</p>

<p>Wonderful photos, Hin--you were definitely up to the challenge!<br>

That's a very nice image, Anirban!<br>

Here's a hummingbird I just took with the Sigma 500/4.5:<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Nature/Fauna/i-3KghmJt/0/M/IMGP2412c%20sm-M.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="428" /></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hey, Hin! Good to hear from you. In truth, I haven't shot with that Sigma for a while--I need swap it into the bag. Like you I have a 3rd party metal hood on it. That makes it a bit less pocket-able but I do believe in hoods. I don't know anything about this new tinker you're trying but it doesn't sound like it would simplify things ;~) </p>

<p>I have one and think it's terrific. True, it's not what you want if you're into <em>serious,</em> hyper-magnification, macro. For that, longer focal lengths (100-200mm) are probably preferred-- and good for subjects to which you can't (or don't want to) get very close. On the other hand, the limitation of those longer lenses from my point of view is that you're working with a very narrow depth of field and there are many situations (flowers, for example) when I want to get close and want more dof than the longer lenses offer and the DA 35 ltd macro really fits that niche. The macro question aside, it's a very capable general use lens--sharp, responsive and renders very nicely. </p>

<p>I'm totally with Matt's non-committal stance--more or less ;~)</p>

<p>Yes, please, Markus--that apple cake looks delicious!<br>

Great guitar Matt!<br>

Clara and I made a college visit yesterday to the school where I spent most of my professional career. I'm not sure that that's where she'll end up--in some ways, it feels too much like home to her.<br>

This is with the Sigma 100-300/4. Flash would have been a good idea.<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/People/Friends-Family-and-Strrangers/i-S9cJ2kW/0/XL/IMGP9901cusm-XL.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="640" /></p>

<p>IOt was a beautiful day (at last!) so we skipped the afternoon workshops (stuff we already know) and went to the lacrosse game--which UMBC won handily.<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-mRp92Cw/0/XL/i-mRp92Cw-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-N72qsdR/0/XL/i-N72qsdR-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Here in the Mid-Atlantic, too--especially since I'm nowhere near as hardy as you are, Bob. You'd have laughed to see me bundled up for those early season lacrosse games. This week, I ventured out as far as the porch to play with the birds which are gradually getting more diverse.<br>

I got this one with the Tamron Adaptall 300/2.8 with the matching 2x TC:<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Nature/Fauna/i-D2NMKPq/0/XL/IMGP9437cusm-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>These were with the Sigma500/4.5 & the Kenko 1.5x:<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Nature/Fauna/i-KXcz6QF/0/XL/IMGP4311csm-XL.jpg" alt="" width="549" height="768" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Nature/Fauna/i-P7R6K4r/0/XL/IMGP4335cusm-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Sorry to be late to the party but there was some sort of hitch somewhere in the connection between me and pnet. I was tempted to post photos of crocus and daffodils but they're all covered up today by the first (and probably only) half-way serious snow of 2012-13 here in (Eastern) MD. Instead, I'll celebrate the start of the lacrosse season. I used the Sigma 70-200/2.8 for these because it's big brother, the 100-300/4, has been kinda balky lately--I may have to send it in. </p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-pJbfkNk/0/XL/i-pJbfkNk-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-P8wrz6n/0/XL/i-P8wrz6n-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-sNGwN9f/0/XL/i-sNGwN9f-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

<p>The news here is that I got me a Q (and some accessories like the K-Q adapter) for my birthday. I'm in the early get-acquainted period--reading the manual (torture!) and trying to get over the habit of slapping it up to my face as if it had a vf--but so far I'm liking it. Part of the lure, of course, was the potential reach (needless to say, I'm looking forward to pairing it up with the 1000/8 "Black Dragon") but I'm not expecting it to replace my K-5 for wildlife photography. I'm more interested in it for sneaky candid portraits (the 15-45/2.8 should arrive this week) and casual-carry purposes. <br /> Here's one of my first shots with the 5-15mm zoom:<br /> <img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-hVmZ9Dd/0/XL/i-hVmZ9Dd-XL.jpg" alt="" /><br /> This one demonstrates the casual-carry usage: I took it along on a college visit with Clara. The shot was hurried but I pretty much got what I wanted [1/50s, f2.8, ISO 500]. I'm surprised by the absence of of camera shake, btw.<br /> The Assassin<br /> <img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-bnZfnRf/0/XL/i-bnZfnRf-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Here's one of my first long-reach shots--with the Tamron Adaptall 300/2.8. I had to dive back into the manual after this one to figure out how to manage the exposure settings (unfortunately, the Q doesn't offer a TAv mode.) It was pretty underexposed but shows promise.<br /> <img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-JR6KkX6/0/XL/i-JR6KkX6-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>For some reason, I bought a Tamron Adaptall 300/5.6 TELE MACRO off eBay. I really don't need another long lens but I was intrigued and it was <$ 100. I'm pretty pleased: it's easy to handle and the IQ ain't bad. <br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-gXCKjSw/0/XL/i-gXCKjSw-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-4Qd3Hmh/0/XL/i-4Qd3Hmh-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/i-JnnGL89/0/XL/i-JnnGL89-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

 

<p>Your wife is no doubt right, Bob, and we're all very glad of it. It's a terrific photo too.</p>

<p>Your wife is no doubt right, Bon, and we're all very glad of it. It's a terrific photo too.</p>

<p>Not ignoring you--I'm just clueless. </p>

<p>It's Sunday, right?<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Places/RHE-LOCAL-LANDSCAPE/i-3tkwBDm/0/XL/IMGP8360c%20sm-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>"Hell, I'm a "mobile shooter" too"<br>

Ditto me (and 70yo besides) and I have no problem going miles with the Sigma 500/4.5. </p>