I enjoyed taking a little time during my vacation on Emerald Isle Beach to visit Fort Macon State Park. I loved using the Nikon D5 for this adventure with the Sigma 24-105mm ƒ/4 DG OS Art Lens.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 102400, ƒ/8, 1/40

Why was the Nikon D5 so helpful versus my smartphone that everyone else was using? Try taking this photo with a phone or camera—the image’s ISO at ISO 102,400, which the smartphone cannot achieve. The room was off the big room.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 125, ƒ/8, 1/800

I enjoyed walking around and reading the plaques, helping me learn more about the fort’s history.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 8000, ƒ/8, 1/100

There are 26 casemates in the fort (including sally port). The room restored one of them to show the enlisted quarters during the civil war. The fort held off the union soldiers for one month as the union organized an attack. In less than 11 hours, the canons firing at the fort overpowered the regiment. Five hundred twenty-six canons hit the fort before they surrendered.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 125, ƒ/8, 1/400

The dynamic range of the Nikon D5 was great. The wall of the Citadel portion of the fort was in shadow, but it held together just fine to the highlights.

You can even see detail in the Sally Port, which is in the deep shadow during the middle of the day sunshine.

Many years ago, I had been to the fort and knew what to expect. I just carried one lens to capture everything that I needed.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 6400, ƒ/8, 1/100

While many people prefer a smartphone to capture their trips, I still enjoy the DSLR and mainly the Nikon D5 to capture those moments so that I can see them with my eye in person.