In March 2016 Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd. teamed up with Geographical Magazine to offer readers a chance of winning SIGMA’s ultimate travel kit;  a SIGMA 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | Contemporary lens plus AML72-01 CLOSE-UP Lens worth £549.98. Photographer Susan Hughes was selected the lucky winner and shares with us her first impressions of her winning prize. 

First impressions of the SIGMA 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | Contemporary lens by Susan Hughes

Taking photographs started with my first camera, a Kodak Brownie aged 10 (1950), then went on to work in a photo processing lab in Manchester. As I entered the textile trade a passion for all aspect of textile production and their buildings grew and latterly the two passions have become entwined.
I joined my first camera club five years ago and now belong to two; Chapel Camera Club and Castleton and Hope Valley Photographic Society.  My first DSLR was a Cannon 500d which I used with the standard kit lens until purchasing a 50mm1.8 and a 17-300mm lens. Unfortunately both lenses suffered water damage on a trip to Scotland but I was able to borrow one of my sons SIGMA lenses and I was very pleased with the results.
I then learned through my Geographical newsletter subscription that SIGMA UK was sponsoring a competition to win a SIGMA 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | Contemporary lens + AML7201 CLOSE-UP lens. I knew instantly from the details that it would be the ideal all-rounder lens for me to have as a replacement to my damaged kit and it would be a perfect travel companion for me. I decided to enter the competition and was so amased to learn I won!

Now the SIGMA 18-300mm | Contemporary lens never leaves my camera and I use it for everything! I like to capture all styles of images and don’t describe myself as a landscape, portrait, wedding or portrait photographer. I enjoy documenting what I see and believe my images need to tell a story. I focus my thoughts about the subject and look to display emotions into the image even if it is simply to record a time.

My recent projects have brought me back to my passion of textile production and I’ve been working in my local area such recording the demolition of Woods Mil as well as the demolition of the famous chimney of Glossop that was a popular subject during the Thatcher era.


 
The SIGMA 18-300mm | Contemporary lens was used to record these events which was all captured hand held which I thought at the time may give me blurring problems but was pleasantly surprised with the results. My first use of the lens was to record the work of the United Utilities work on the pylons in the Longdendale Valley and replacement of power lines.

The lens also accompanied me on a site visit to the newly opened mill in Dukinfield; English Fine Cottons. The mill received a large amount of news coverage because of the use of top range raw cotton from America and it was producing spun cotton of exceptional quality that would be woven high end, quality marketed cotton. Recording my visit with this lens was ideal as the depth of field is excellent.


My prize also included the dedicated Close-Up lens AML72-01 which you can use for Macro photography which I have already started to use. The addition of this accessory makes the 18-300mm | Contemporary an even more versatile photography tool and I’m pleased to be building up my macron photography which I hope to share with SIGMA UK at a later satge.  I’m so greatful to have won this fantastic bundle prize and now I wouldn’t  be without my SIGMA 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | Contemporary lens. I use it for everyting.
To see more of Susan’s images with the Chapel Camera Club click here