[Sagitta]

Its hard to look cool blowing on a bagpipe...



Host city rode first. Everyone had their trucks polished til they practically emitted there own light.





Trucks showed from all over the state. Presque Isle is about a five hour run north of us, with very little civilization in between.



They had the Wardens marching as well - these guys probably have one of the toughest jobs in the state if not the country. Maine is about 2 thirds wilderness, and its these guys' job to act as a catchall first line of defense against just about anything out there. If you get stranded out in the Williwacks, these guys will be the ones who will risk their lives trying to rescue you.


I love how this shot came out, BTW. Its up there among my favorites I've done.


More trucks...






The driver provided me another awesome shot.

[Sagitta]

This guy sang for us.





Freedom, Liberty and Unity. Have to love the town names around here.







Then some really old equipment rolled through...







An idea of just how many trucks showed up for this. The parade was only half over at this point!

[Sagitta]

The Koras from down in Lewiston marched as well...

[Sagitta]

Some truck art...









And some more trucks.

[Sagitta]

Sorry to flood the thread, but considering how admirably a busted up, cheap (I paid under $30) lens can be, I'd say anyone who bashes the Sigma 70-300's in any incarnation (mine is the 'worst' of the lot) should probably rethink their opinion based on cost vs quality of what you get.

[paulh]

No problem with the flood, Sagitta - those are some nice shots with your so-called 'budget lens'. Love the vintage fire trucks!

These were taken in the morning a couple weeks ago from the front porch with another cheap lens. I used a K100D with an old Sigma A28-84 manual focus zoom. A bit big and heavy, but so far I'm liking it. Cost me $10.

[Designosophy]

That 70-300 helped you make some great pictures, Jody! I love my 70-300 too. It's their cheapest one - the DG Macro (non-APO).



And Paulh, that $10 28-80 is looking pretty nice as well!

[pop4]

Sigma 17-50/2.8 + GND/ND:





Sigma 50/1.4:

[Sagitta]

That 70-300 helped you make some great pictures, Jody! I love my 70-300 too. It's their cheapest one - the DG Macro (non-APO).

Mine is the non-APO DL Macro. At least I think its non-APO, I don't see that written anywhere on the thing. The lens was one of the first things I bought after getting my K-x, and was pretty much shelved after I snapped something inside it so it wouldn't retract anymore via twisting it. Its kind of a shame, because it deserves to be used more often - especially when its nice and bright out.

[buskel]

One of the first shots taken with this lens at 2.8 if memory serves.

[Damian]

A couple more from the Sigma DC 17-70mm 2.8-4.5. Same burned out building as before.




Here's a picture of the progress from a week ago. That's a 10x10 used to replace the 6x8 that used to be there. I guess when you take into account that the old beams had 100+ growth rings in them, and the new beams that are twice the size only have 30 to 40 rings, this new beam might be as strong as the old ones. Just goes to show the "quality" of the lumber we get today.

[Chaos_Realm]

Well I've cracked out the 70-200 2.8 Macro II again. I was down at Phillip Island Wildlife Park over the weekend and got a few that I was quite happy with. Somehow I managed to keep this on the camera and the FA 77 in the bag for the whole day

First up a pretty relaxed Koala



His buddy that looks like he's been sniffing too much eucalyptus..



One of Australia's rare breeds.. (A non-venomous snake)



A beautiful White-Bellied Sea Eagle



(Not so) Big Red



Blue Winged Kookaburra



I need to cut my post short, before I get too carried away with photos... but I have one more to show.
This young Joey is like one of those kid that mum would just pray moves out of home.

[dadipentak]

Is it just me or does this thread now take forever to load?

[Chaos_Realm]

Is it just me or does this thread now take forever to load?

Yeh... this page in particular has a lot of photos! I put my hand up as being partially responsible

Mind you I am shipping my two favorite things to Canada tomorrow. My precious is being entrusted with the Mrs for her speedy 8 day holiday.

[pop4]

K-5 | Sigma 70-200/2.8 HSM II@93mm | f/2.8 | ISO6400 | 1/25th


K-5 | Sigma 50/1.4 | f/2.2 | ISO6400 | 1/400th


K-5 | Sigma 70-200/2.8 HSM II@128mm | f/2.8 | ISO12800 | 1/25th