Happy Holidays from Chicago's Christkindlmarket

Happy Holidays, blog readers!  I recently stopped by Chicago's Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza and thought I'd share a few photos.  I try to visit this at least once every December.  It's a great place to find last minute Christmas gifts, plus, there's tons of cool stuff to photograph and they serve an excellent Glühwein (that's German mulled wine-- quite tasty and very potent!).


"From Bethlehem (1 of 2)" © Andy Marfia 2013 All Rights Reserved. Sony RX100, 1/50sec at f2.8, ISO125.


"From Bethlehem (2 of 2)" © Andy Marfia 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nikon D7100 w/ 55-200mm lens, 1/250sec at f5, ISO2800.


"From Munich" © Andy Marfia 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nikon D7100 w/ 55-200mm lens, 1/16sec at f5, ISO560.


"From Poland" © Andy Marfia 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nikon D7100 w/ 55-200mm lens, 1/100sec at f4.5, ISO560.


"Chi Town" © Andy Marfia 2013 All Rights Reserved. Nikon D7100 w/ 55-200mm lens, 1/250sec at f5, ISO2500.

With the exception of the first photo, all of these were shot with a Nikon D7100 and the under appreciated Nikon 55-200mm.  I'm quite fond of that lens.  It's one of the smallest, lightest, and least expensive zooms that Nikon makes.  It looks cheap, which means most people overlook it, but it's a great lens for casual shooting and has plenty of sharpness even with the 24mp sensor in the D7100.  I often throw it in my camera bag while heavier and more expensive lenses stay home.