Another update, this one taken from a lower level this morning. The river still can rise another meter or two and that can get really exciting. I am enjoying the wide angle view from the Sigma DP1 as it captures more of the sky. It nice when there is a cloud or two around when you need them. Bill

River update, after yesterdays 29 c the water is coming up. Today's forecast is for above 30. This photo is taken from our bedroom balcony with a 28 mm wide angle view so it does make it appear further away than it really is. The camera is of course my Sigma DP1. Bill

With this post I hope to begin this years river watch. The weather has been cool this year and the river slow to rise. I enjoy the river the most this time of the year, being close to all that power is very exciting. I plan on posting updates often but we will be away next week , Monday to Thursday. Also my mother is coming to visit next week so she can share in the excitement. I do understand some people may consider me not completely sane when I get excited by huge trees zooming by. Bill

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I may have started something with the pink hard hat photo, I keep seeing pink, while I was unpacking a new pink Panasonic camera, this vehicle appeared in front of our store. Some may think it is our new delivery vehicle, but we don't quite sell that many pink cameras. Bill

Grand Forks and pink hard hats. One of our local business owners, John Thomas, had this idea to help promote the Canadian Cancer Society's relay for life campaign. What if many Grand Forks residents donned a pink hard hat, and helped promote cancer research. My idea was, what if we could get them together and take a group photograph? So far, the hat idea is working better than the photo, There are more than 500 hats out there and about 100 people in the photo. I would like to try again. The city of Grand Forks has less than 5000 people or more than 10 % who are proud of their new pink hard hat. The camera Sigma SD14, photo by Bill

Max and I just had too much time on our hands Saturday. Here is Dp1 still life #3 taken with a Sigma Sd14 with factory 1.07 software installed. My new stock came that way last week which tells me they were fresh from the factory. As you can see I am trying to put together must have accessories for the Dp1. I have B+W close up filters coming and step up rings to fit them. I have seen some very good close ups on the forum at Dpreview so that might be next. Bill

Here is a update on my earlier post of IR photos. There was one I titled 'beware of dog' and was a B&W infrared photo taken with my Sigma Sd14. This one is with my Sigma Dp1 and wonderful light. I think I will call it "beware of dog two". People are presently cleaning up the yard in the photo and I am going to miss the photo opps. Bill

Here is a short story that I posted on the DPreview Sigma SLR forum. I thought I would copy it here for you, who may not read the forum every day as I do. I have posted my businesses card as well because someone reading the forum suggested that I might be a good sales person. I think so and that is one reason I gave myself the title super duper sales guy. Another reason is that a few years ago I sat through a presentation about how to encourage sales people and I thought I could use a reward with a new title. Also as you may know I like to see customers smile. Bill

Last Saturday I was working my way through an airport security line when a security officer asked me, 'is that an ordinary digital camera?' well before I could think what I was saying I explained,'no this was no ordinary digital camera, this was the new Sigma Dp1, the first compact camera with the foveon sensor and very good 28mm equivalent F4 prime lens with incredible image, and he stopped me there because I was holding up the line and asked, but is there film in it? If not move along. At that point I realized he must be one of the people who don't read this forum. I still smile to myself when I think back to it, I hope it makes you smile too. Bill Wilby salesperson

April 21st and we received one of the largest snow falls of the year. It was very beautiful and changed very quickly with the first light of the morning. I did think to myself if this was a few years ago we could plan for a very busy morning with people dropping off their film. Now this event may only be remembered as long as our hard drives lasts. This is a nice way to enjoy the snow knowing that there is green grass under the melting layer of white. Bill

Finding the right bag for the Sigma Dp1. The bag I use for travel and carrying a SLR around is the Lowpro Slingshot. These bags are designed to be carried on your back, but slide to the front for easy access to your camera. The Dp1 is a much smaller camera but having a similar style bag for me is ideal. Now I like to call my camera bag my purse, because I use it for much more than just my camera. The bag I am modeling in the photo is a Roots bag and it is a sling that unlike the Lowpro can be worn over ether shoulder. There is enough room for the camera with the viewfinder, lens hood and lens shade attached. Also in the main compartment I put my sunglasses and a cleaning cloth. The side and front compartments will hold the battery charger and cables. There is a zippered pocket to fit my passport, tickets and boarding pass. Located on the strap is a pocket for your cell phone. Other items I would put in it are loose change, keys and a tooth brush. I am sure I could find a place for a map if I thought I might need it, most of us men don't need maps, right. I also like Roots bags because there is a picture of my friend Bob, on every bag. Here is a link for more details. Bill

Edmonton and the Sigma Dp1, the weather was great and even with all those meetings and dinner parties I still had time to use the camera. Bill

With spring here there is something new to see every day. We have two river otters that swim by, and Canada geese checking out the barn. While I was away this weekend Sandy kept the camera ready. Here is her goose on the roof photo. We have been using a Panasonic FZ18 for our point and shot camera and with its 18x zoom and excellent stabilization these shots are fun. Bill

Still life number two of my Sigma DP1s. As you can see I am going to be busy. Bill

Good news for people waiting for their Sigma DP1s as they are on their way. Actually this is the second shipment. My friend Max took this picture for our archives. This happens to be our busiest shipping day so far. Bill

Black and White and Dp1. am I having fun. Bill

Meet Martha, she is our motor home purchased in 1973. As you can see she has seen better days, most recently used as a play house. But even that was awhile ago. I have posted these photos for Leif by request. I took them yesterday in the afternoon sun with my new Sigma DP1. Bill

Sigma DP1 still life is the title I gave this photo that I posted on the Sigma forum at dpreview. I thought I would put it here for those of you who may not have seen it. As you may be able to tell I am really excited about this little camera and am enjoying using it. Bill

We woke up to a dusting of fresh snow this morning. Here is my first photo with the new Sigma Dp1. I am really going to enjoy using this camera. Bill

Update, March 20 the cameras are here but the Dp1 accessories must be on a truck, should be early next week.
Update, March 19th, my cameras have been shipped as well as all the DP1 accessories. This is very exciting.
The Dp1 is coming. We will have our stock next week. We would have had it Friday if it wasn't a holiday. This is a very exciting and I might even choose it over a day off if I had a choice. Photographers around the world are lining up to use this unique camera. We have very limited stock and have been taking pre-orders for the last month. There is a link on our home page www.contactphotoarts.com for DP1 info. Bill

I was watching for Bob this morning but didn't see him. I did photograph these two geese swimming by and was very surprised with the detail. The photo is hand held, I sold my monopod, the camera Sigma SD14 with a Sigma 70 to 300 APO lens at 300mm. Bill