Thanks to Jim and Chris! I have some more panoramic evening shots of Duomo, but will have to process them first. Hopefully over the course of the upcoming weekend.
Here are three backyard photos taken within ten feet of each other...
I've been experimenting with my 500D closeup lens, hoping it will replace a dedicated macro on a trip to the United Kingdom planned for this July. I've used it on a 70-200 f/2.8II with and without a 1.4x extender. Wide open it's pretty much useless, but it sharpens right up after closing down a stop or two. Like an extension tube, you lose infinity focus, and I have to move back and forth looking for the plane of focus, but I think it will do fine for summer wildflowers in the Irish countryside and the gardens of the Cotswolds.
For the same trip I've picked up a 16-35 f/4 IS, and it has so far lived up to the high praises I've read here and elsewhere. 24mm has always been wide enough for my landscape needs, but I'm thinking now of the Cliffs of Moher and castle/cathedral interiors where I don't want to rely on stitching...Still hoping to keep it to three lenses and no tripod, so a mid-range zoom (24-105L or 24-70L) will round out the kit for my first (and probably only) trip to Jolly Old England...