I just got back from that area, 2nd year in a row. There are photo ops galore out there in the winter. The area around Dillon is amazing. If you get off at Frisco and go over to Swan Lake drive (or something like that). This is the road that cuts across the southern edge of Dillon Reservoir and takes you from the Brekenridge access to the Keystone/A-Basin road. There is a scenic overlook up there which is beautiful.

Other areas: Drive up to Loveland pass above A-basin. Great shots all over the place on your way to the top.

Same for Vail Pass and Hoosier Pass (above Brek).

If you want to drive a bit, go over Hoosier pass all the way down into the valley. There is an elevated area halfway between Pikes Peak and the Western Range. I got some fantastic shots there last year.

I haven't gotten further than Vail Pass going west so who knows what kind of magical shots exist out there. We were on ski trips to Copper, Keystone and A-basin. Can't afford Vail yet!!!! lol Have a great trip. It was Vermont cold last week out there so bring warm cloths.

I have 6 lenses, 2 Tamrons, 2 Sigmas, and 2 Nikkor. They all take great photographs. They all also take crappy photographs. In all cases, the great vs. the crappy photographs are not related to the camera or the lens, it is related to the photographer (me) or the conditions.

If I was a professional, I would own all Nikon lenses and maybe some Sigma Art lens. But I am a hobbyist/enthusiast who takes very good care of my equipment and don't use it daily or roughly. The build quality of the Nikon lenses is far better than the third party ones. I am sure there is some IQ differences between them but that is minor compared to the difference in build quality.

I have gotten some of my best photographs with my cell phone or my point and shoot Nikon AW100. It has taken me years to finally believe that good pictures are made by the photographer, not the equipment. Saying that, there is no one out there that gets more excitement from a good case of GAS!! Have fun with what ever you purchase, that is what its all about.

I have the Sigma 150-600 C and I love the Image Stabilization and sharpness I have gotten at the 600 focal length. I just got the dock for it and that can only make it better from what I have heard. I am out of town at the moment so I cannot access my photos. If you want to see some, PM me and I can post some for you towards the end of the week.

I own both the 55-200 and the 18-200 which I use on a D7100. The 55-200 is the matching kit lens for the 18-55. It will give you some pretty good images but the 18-200 is a much better built lens and will cover the focal length of the 2 kit lenses. Save for that one would be my vote. It is on my body 95 percent of the time. I replaced a Tamron 18-270 with the Nikon 18-200 vrii and I have seen a significant improvement in IQ. Good luck with what ever you get!

I checked, the lens came direct from Sigma. (Sigma was the seller).

Mine was from Amazon US so that is very possible

Tamron is one lens that I like the US warranty because it is 6 years. I sent mine in after 3 years for calibration and it was free. When the lens came back there was a noticeable difference in sharpness. I am going to send it in again just before 6 years is up. That might be worth the extra money.

Wow, I just purchased a Sigma 10-20 wide angle through Amazon last week. Just received it and I did get the Sigma US warrenty. I guess I was lucky!!

Here is a real handy chart that Nikon put out which shows that you have to multiply by the crop factor. It also shows that VR gives you an extra 2 stops.

http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2014/04/Hand_hold_DSLR_cheat_sheet1.jpg

Please let me know how the TC 1.4 works with the 150-600 C. I would also be interested to hear how it works with other lenses you might have.

To respond to the topic. I have the 150-600 C Sigma lens and I have gotten some very sharp images at 600 mm.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I use the Sigma C version on my D7100 and have no complaints what so ever. I have found that many camera store folks really only know the camera they own well. I think they are good for the beginner but as one advances in the hobby/trade, sites like these are far better.

I just got the Sigma 10-20 f/3.5 and it does focus at infinity. I had read tons of reviews on the Sigma, Nikon, and Tokina. Most rate them pretty close with small almost insignificant pluses and minuses to each. The only bad review on the Sigma was Ken Rockwell but I don't find any of his beefs about the lens to be true. For one he says it is inferior build quality and makes a lot of noise when focusing. It is a Sigma EX lens which is Sigma's quality build line. It is smooth, sturdy, and has excellent optics. The softness in the corners is only visible at 1:1 on post and when shot wide open. I was leaning towards the Tokina but watched one review comparing the three brands which was really down on the flare with the 11-20 Tokina. Also, many reviews said they had back focus issues with it. Otherwise most people love it for its sharpness and 2/3 stop speed over the Sigma. I hate flare and the Sigma is as sharp a lens as I will ever need so I went with it. If I was a professional, I probably would have went with the Nikon 10-24. It is my belief that you will be happy with any ultra-zoom you get.

Sigma 10-20 f/3.5

:) :thumbup: :)