Which Stitch Markers Are Best

When I first took up crochet I didn't have any stitch markers, I didn't even know stitch markers existed. It wasn't long before I knew about them and I learnt the value of using stitch markers, aka stitch savers. That first frustrating experience of when a project accidentally unravels because there's nothing holding onto the stitch to stop it coming undone or your crochet circle grows in ways it isn't supposed to and the worth of this tiny tool became obvious very quickly. But there are so many styles of stitch marker to choose from, locking, circle, coil-less, plastic, safety pins, thread, 3D printed... does it really make a difference which one you use? Is it just how pretty they are? I walk you through a dozen different stitch markers from items you have lying around your home to the fancy artisan styles. I share with you what features to look for and those that don't really hold up to the task.
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A New To Me Lens

Some shots are just too pretty not to share even with missed focus

I keep my extra lens in my camera bag, that's it's home, and it means when I am racing out the door I can just grab my camera bag and know it's got all it's goodies. So I was a little peeved at myself on our last photo walk when I opened my bag to find my 55-250mm zoom lens was not there.

I would usually use this as a great opportunity to take some wide and macro shots with the 17-70mm lens, accept it was cool and overcast and all the birdies were out in the middle of the day taking advantage of the bird friendly weather, so I asked hubby if he had a longer lens in his bag that I could use.

His response, 'I've got my macro if you want.'

'I'll give it a go' I said. Now if you're all confused about why I was saying yes to a macro lens to use for bird shots I totally understand.

If you're a photography buff it will all make sense (or you might think I'm crazy to bother) and if not, I'm afraid I don't think I can explain it properly, at least not this early on a Sunday morning. It's a Sigma 150mm macro lens. While 150mm isn't that long of a lens for a bird photos it would still give me a chance at a shot if I saw a feather friend reasonably close.

The Sigma lens is a totally new-to-me lens there is an awful lot for me to learn about it's capabilities, I find the best way to do that is to go and take some shots. One of the biggest challenges for me when using this lens was it's lack of stabiliser, I'm just not used to not having that extra help for taking a shot.

I'd really like to take this lens for a walk on a day with a bit more sunshine, we were only out for a short while before big black clouds came rolling overhead and we had to leave or get wet.

Black duck scouting the underbrush

Mum & baby coote

None of my bird shots were worth writing home about but these 3 shots I wouldn't have even tried for using my 17-70mm. Mum and baby coote is a pretty scenery shot, as is black duck, and I quite like my little red breasted chap in flight despite the fact he's more blur then bird. 

red breasted bird in flight

I thought I'd snap a few close up shots too. Now we get to see this lens show off it's stuff.

grasses in seed

grasses in seed

grasses in seed

Geri the wonder dog

Comments

  1. Debbie6 December 2015 at 14:48

    Hi Stella, I only have a Nikon point and shoot camera (would love a proper camera, but probably wouldn't know where to start with it). If I was ever lucky enough to get one I would love to have a go at proper macro photography.

    Your bird photos are very nice, but it's the detail in the grasses (and dogs eye) that fascinates me. Bet that lens is in the case now!

    xx

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    1. Purfylle9 December 2015 at 20:06

      It most definitely is in the case! I didn't think I would get nearly as much use out of my DSLR as I do, the more I use it the more I love it. If you ever get one let me know and I'll help out. There was a brief period inbetween going from using my phone camera to a DSLR where I was using a hand-me-down Canon point and shoot but I got frustrated very quickly with not being able to take the low-light shots I needed to be able to take inside my home (our house is old and poorly lit) so hubby bought me my very own DSLR as birthday gift that year. Best gift ever!

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  2. Unknown6 December 2015 at 18:13

    Beautiful photos, I hate it when things are missing from my bag. It looks like you had fun with that lens

    Thank you for linking up

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    1. Purfylle9 December 2015 at 20:11

      It was a real surprise, keeping everything in the bag is one of the things I'm usually really good at. What keeps me from using the bigger lenses like this is having to lug it around when out and about. I like my light lenses for walks.

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  3. Coombe Mill - Fiona6 December 2015 at 20:06

    What fab shots, even if the lens wasn't your usual you got some great shots. My favourite would definitely be the Robin in flight.

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    1. Purfylle9 December 2015 at 20:13

      I'm so glad because I nearly didn't include that shot. When you zoom in the robin is just a pixely blur, but I was just so pleased to have caught him flying!

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  4. Unknown6 December 2015 at 23:44

    beautiful as always! love your action shots, even if you think they are a blur :)

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    1. Purfylle9 December 2015 at 20:22

      The more you know the more critical you get I suppose :o)

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  5. Mary @over40andamumtoone7 December 2015 at 05:21

    I love that first photo, really interesting #MySundayPhoto

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  6. PurpleSlob7 December 2015 at 11:53

    I'm on my phone so can't see much detail. But the dog's eye is superb!

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    1. Purfylle10 December 2015 at 08:32

      That's my little rotter - love her to bits.

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  7. sherry from sherrys pickings9 December 2015 at 19:57

    i'm afraid i just use my phone for photos so am very ignorant about cameras etc. i admire your skill!

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    1. Purfylle10 December 2015 at 08:52

      You have a good eye though Sherry, I always enjoy your photos.

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  8. Lisa197010 December 2015 at 01:46

    I love the duck photo :)

    I'm learning with a new lens, it's a fun journey! :)

    There was an, erm, incident with a clumsy black dog, a coffee table, and my camera bag! The camera is fine but she totally bent the 18-55. I replaced it with a 18-140 to give me more scope when I don't fancy lugging all of the lenses around. Very heavy though. It's been to the forest with us today so I'm hoping it's got me some decent shots :)

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    1. Purfylle10 December 2015 at 08:54

      I know all about black dog incidents! I chose my 2 favourite lenses based on how heavy they are, keep us updated on the 18-140, I'm heading over to see if there are some lovely forest shots to see.

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  9. Pierced Wonderings12 December 2015 at 12:51

    It looks like you had some fun with that lens! Like others I like the robin in flight. And the grasses. But then again, I'm a sucker for good, interesting grasses.

    Thanks for sharing with us at Photo Friday!

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    1. Purfylle15 December 2015 at 15:45

      It might be worth lugging that beast around more often to get lovely backgrounds like that.

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  10. Mila14 December 2015 at 22:34

    These photos are lovely, 55-250mm zoom lens or not. Bird in flight is just gorgeous :) Mila

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    1. Purfylle15 December 2015 at 15:46

      Thanks Mila! The shorter lens does take lovely photos, just not as close up as I'd like.

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  11. Tony McGurk17 December 2015 at 21:57

    Nice shot of the duck. Macro photography really fascinates me but as I'm only starting out I just have a Pentax point & shoot camera. It automatically switches to macro if I get close enough to something & surprisingly the few macro shots I've taken have come out reasonably ok. Hope to get a DSLR one day...

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