Derby Cathedral by vikdaddy

Derby Cathedral

I've bought an ultra-wide angle lens! I mentioned in yesterday's post that I was going to buy a second-hand Canon 10-22mm lens, and I drove to Derby to pick it up and pay for it. It cost me £500 with a Canon hood and new UV filter thrown in, and a six-month guarantee from a reputable dealer. Considering they go on eBay for anything between £440-500 and mine is in mint condition, I think it's a decent deal.

As soon as I bought it I went for a brief walk to test the lens, and just around the corner from the shop was the perfect subject.

This is Derby Cathedral, which is at the epicentre of the city. I struggled to choose between the colour and this monochrome version, as I thought the clouds looked better in the colour but the cathedral looks more dramatic in this picture. I eventually decided on the black and white because the cathedral takes up the majority of the frame. And as you probably know I'm a big fan of black and whites anyway...

I love this lens! I've only taken about a dozen photos with it so far, but it's definitely a keeper. My cousin was raving about it last night too as he tried it out in a shop, and that just convinced me further that I wanted this excellent lens. It's so sharp too! I was zooming right in during editing and it retained so much detail. Apparently it would have fallen into Canon's 'L' range if it could be used on a full frame body and if it was weather sealed, which doesn't surprise me.

Tomorrow I'm going to Brighton, which is why I wanted to get this lens now. I hope to get some nice coastal shots, although I'm only staying for one night and the weather isn't meant to be ideal as rain is forecast. I won't be posting tomorrow, but I will be taking plenty of photos and will publish them later this weekend.

Canon EOS 450D, f/3.5, 1/800, ISO-200
Fantastic shot, really love the black and white
August 12th, 2010  
awesome scope, love the architecture-this has an epic quality to it.
August 12th, 2010  
Congratulation to your new ultra-wide glas and your famous photo
August 12th, 2010  
Billiant shot! I'm loving your new lens already, have fun with it. I love the B&W choice here too, well done.
August 12th, 2010  
Ooh, new toy! Nothing like it. Fab pic, grand old cathedral isnt it? Nice shot, like B&W too.
Enjoy Brighton, my old hometown. Spoilt for images there, its a great place for photographers. Enjoy and will keep fingers crossed over the rain!
August 12th, 2010  
Good gosh, that's an investment. It looks like it paid off, though, the photo is gorgeous. Beautiful job.
August 12th, 2010  
very imposing! great shot!
August 12th, 2010  
oh very nice shot , great angle and looks tops in black n white !!

you little ripper about the lens woooohooooo !!! ur going to love it as much as i love mine !!! such amazing colours and detail as u already know !!!
looking forward to ur coastal shots !!
August 12th, 2010  
Excellent shot, looks great in B&W. Never tried one of thes elens and don't think my budget allows me one right now... maybe next year....
August 12th, 2010  
Wow....I'm loving this shot what great buildings! and I love the black and white colors!
August 12th, 2010  
Definitely the monochrome. It turned out beautiful. It looks fabulous!
August 12th, 2010  
Whoa Nellie. Nice.
August 12th, 2010  
congrats on the new buy mate! have fun in brighton tomoz
August 12th, 2010  
Beautiful shot, great angle!
August 13th, 2010  
neat perspective!
August 13th, 2010  
this is stunning...makes me realize how small we really are!
August 13th, 2010  
Absolutely fantastic shot!!
August 13th, 2010  
Incredible! It looks so striking in black and white. Love the textures.
August 13th, 2010  
woah it look ssoooo tall!!!!!
great shot, as always, Vik.
August 13th, 2010  
it has a cool dramatice effect to it! nice one Vik
August 13th, 2010  
Awesome shot,love the b&w and contrast.
Congrats on your new purchase!
August 13th, 2010  
beautiful in black & white! it really makes the architectural details stand out and the wide angle lens gives you an idea of how impressive the cathedral tower when built in the 16th century.
i can't wait to see the pix from Brighton. I love that town!
August 13th, 2010  
oooooooooo beautiful perspective vik! im loving the contrast.... a fav!
August 13th, 2010  
Very nice, Vik. I really love the high contrast b&w.
August 14th, 2010  
Awesome, is that hdr image?
August 14th, 2010  
Hi Wayhu, no it isn't - not sure how to process HDR! I just increased the contrast.
August 14th, 2010  
Great photo, I like both the angle that you used and the black and white. I think you are really going to enjoy using the new wide angle lens.
August 15th, 2010  
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