Bloody Sunday March

This was my first ever time being at the Bloody Sunday March in Derry and will probably be my last, if by all accounts are correct, yesterdays march will be the last one ever held. It was also my first time being a press photographer which was an eye opener and a great experience. I walked the whole march which started at the Creggan shops and worked its way down to the Guildhall Square where speeches were made. I got in to step with a few local photographers, who work for the Derry Journal, who were a big help to me and got to pick their brains on a few subjects from photographer etiquette to equipment! One photographer was generous enough to let me use his 80mm-200mm f2.8 lens while we stood on the fly-over above the Bogside so I could try it out…so thank you Stephen! I used my Sigma 24mm-70mm f2.8 lens and to be honest it showed its true colours yesterday under pressure…it was a big disappointment. Normally I have only used it for portraits and commercial shoots where its been good but on the move, having to be quick and responsive it let me down. It even jammed a few times on me. I have been putting off the inevitable heartache of forking out €1,300 for a Nikkor 24mm-70mm f2.8 but if I am to do more documentary photography (which will be happening) then I will need to bite the bullet at some point and get it! Paired with the D700 or a second hand D3 would be an ideal set up…so I may start saving!