Most of the shots I take are captured using my Nikon D90 and the 18-105mm lens that came with it as standard. It's a good basic lens and has been pretty effective as far as it goes.

However, I've often thought that (subject to finances) it would perhaps be good to get a slightly more powerful one as it might make taking certain types of shots more achievable and provide better results.

Thankfully, this week I've finally managed to get my hands on such a more powerful lens in the shape of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 55-300mm thanks to a small unexpected windfall.

I first identified it as an option towards the end of last year when Jessops were selling it at £269, but at that time I didn't have the money. So you can imagine how gutted I was when I did have the finances in place to discover it had shot up to £305. Thankfully, Jessops offer to 'price match' albeit only against certain suppliers and it turned out that John Lewis are offering it at £264 so they agreed to match their price if I ordered it from them which I duly did.

I've not had time to get out and about yet to put it to a real test, but I did set up a quick shoot in the back garden, which is what this diptych seeks to represent. I sat the small ceramic owl, which is only just over 4 inches (11cm) in height on top of my home made compost bins. Then I took two shots from the other corner of the garden, which is about 60ft away: the first using the old lens and the second using the new one.

Got to say I was quite impressed by the difference the extra power made and am now looking forward to getting out and about with it soon. At least if ipernity closes down I'll now have something to do with the extra free time!

Please view on black for best effect.