Day 69-Monday January 18, 2016 (MLK DAY)

The final day of the 30a fest.  Wifey and I both aren't used to staying up until 1 and 2am after seeing shows, but we couldn't help it.  We were amped up from all the great talent we were surrounded by over the past two days.  Unfortunately it was time to leave the beloved Double Jack.  I broke out the wide-angle lens for a few shots before leaving. 

I've been wanting a new lens for about six months (I believe I may have stated that a time or two earlier) but today was the day. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get one before the trip to 30a so this afternoon after getting up from a nice power nap, I was able to go to Calagaz photo and try out different lenses.  Since I'm kinda figuring out that i'm a prime lens kinda guy, I was advised by a professional photographer of her recently acquired love for 100mm Macro lenses.  I basically have 1000 to spend on one since selling my share of our camper.  It was between that and a wide angle Manual Focus, or one different lens.  I didn't like the Fstop value on the final, so after shooting a few shots in shop and eventually asking the photoshop's advice, I went with a Used Canon 100mm Prime f2.8 with autofocus.  The non-image stabilizing one.  

I really like it. Since my daughter went with me, after my purchase we decided to take some shots down by Chimney park with a slowly descending, albeit still bright sun in the west. Here were the first ones I took.  I really liked the bokeh effect and the close ups are really amazing. Kinda weird being so far away from a subject after being so close using a Tokina 11-16, but I'm starting to understand this macro stuff a little better. I can't wait to see what will come of this.  Hopefully it'll be my goto when it comes time to take portraits--might even spend the extra 150 and get a new one--it'll probably be worth it anyway!  Also was able to score a second slave flash.  Now I really just need to learn how to use it better.