Photo 150 "2022" - Phil Wood

I can't say I ever heard a note of Alex Harvey, but the records he made seemed ubiquitous in the day, and this album cover



is what I thought of when I saw your photo.

Week 8 - Theme 2: Week Prime - Colour

Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro

70mm is an odd focal length for a prime, this is the only one in A-mount.
It gets a very high rating of 4.88 from Dyxum reviewers - which I find hard to understand. It's not that it's a bad lens, it's actually quite a nice lens, but it really isn't that special.

It's a more modern design (2006) than most A-mount macro lenses, but is still has screwdrive focus. Like most macros, it's capable of good sharpness. It has a decent MFD (257mm) which is not bad for a 1:1 macro image.

All in all a competent lens that does was one expects from a macro lens, the only big downside is the hood, which is a metal screw-in one (I prefer a bayonet). The filter thread within the hood is on the front edge (so the hood doesn't shade the filter) - and the thread is larger than that on the lens so you can't fit the lens cap on it. You either carry a second cap or take the hood off whenever you want to fit the cap on. Needless to say the hood doesn't fix on to the lens reversed.

Personally I prefer the Minolta 100mm macro, which is virtually the same size and weight, but gives an even better MFD of 350mm. I do have and love the Minolta 50 and 100, perhaps there is a case for the Sigma as a decent compromise option, but I'm not convinced.

The other downside is price, I picked one up cheaply, but looking at ebay, sellers are asking from £200 to over £400 - more than enough to buy both Minoltas.

Sign


Sony A99ii + Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro

I do see quite a few spots in the sky of that sign photo. Time to clean the camera sensor?

Week 9 - Theme 1: Blast from the Past

A fourth shot from the Who put the boot in concert - it took me a while to identify this chap, but the hairdo is impressively '70s.

Who 4?


Praktica LLC (probably) + Aico 300mm f5.6 (probably).

Edited by Phil Wood - 14 March 2022 at 10:18

Howard_S wrote: I haven't done any online research, but is that Edgar Broughton of the eponymous band?

I can see where you're coming from, but Edgar was even hairier. This is Hughie Thomasson of The Outlaws, a Southern Rock outfit from Florida. Apart from this gig I don't think they ever came to my notice.

Week 9 - Theme 2: Week Prime - Colour

Minolta AF 24mm f2.8

Well behind on posting images, partly down to the A Mount retirement party.

Week 9 saw me using my Minolta AF 24mm f2.8, not Minolta's greatest prime by a long way, but a very capable lens, better IMO than the Sigma offerings, but not by a lot.

This was a long exposure tripod shot, already seen in the retirement party, but it shows nicely what the lens can do:

Salisbury Cathedral Font (by William Pye)


Sony A99ii + Minolta AF 24mm f2.8

Edited by Phil Wood - 14 March 2022 at 10:59

Week 10 - Theme 1: Blast from the Past

A last shot from the Who put the boot in concert in June 1976. This Roger Chapman, 'Chappo', master of the vibrato. Formerly of Family he was by this time with Streetwalkers along with Charlie Witney, fellow Family stalwart and co-writer with Chapman of most of their material. Also pictured is guitarist, Bobby Tench.

I married late in life and the first of my wife's family dos I attended was a niece's wedding in 2005. Not wishing to make a fool of myself in front of my new relatives I failed to accost fellow guest Chappo and tell him how much I've enjoyed his output over the years - a matter of some regret since.

Chappo


Praktica LLC (probably) + Aico 300mm f5.6 (probably).