Originally Posted by carpents 
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I do believe that you have/had one amazing collection of camera equipment - I'm sure the list would be breathtaking.
"had" is the key word here Sean. I can't possibly afford to keep all the stuff I buy and try. By having some patience when looking for stuff and then sell something else I try to keep the expenses down to a decent level.
When learning new equipment i sometimes get ideas about how it can come to use, sometimes even in ways I haven't tried before. I checked a boring focus chart picture from the Sigma:
At first sight I was disapointed by the foreground bokeh. Then it reminded me about an older similar picture:
Here we see how the bokeh is better in the foreground, but not in the background. So, how much we ever love some old SMC Takumars they aren't the best for everything.
Thinking of your flower shots I can give you this one in return (yes, it happens but very very seldom):
Above: Cactoe plant, ©Jonas B 2007, *ist DS, Sigma 30/1.4
regards,