i'm hoping that "shutter" is an on-purpose pun and not another Miss Spelling. (isn't her first name Tori?)

thanks for all the input. a friend is on the fence about buying this lens so i hope this will put him over the line.

while we're at it, how do i get that little white sensor out of the camera so i can wash it with some fantastic?

i'm waiting anxiously for the d400 and plan to have it shipped to my office. then replace my d80 in the camera bag without saying a word. she will never know the difference.

isn't the light from LEDs very blue? i got some for the christmas tree and took them back when my bride saw the color of the light.

miller's labs offers a metallic paper that holds intense color pretty well. but remember that your screen is back-lit. you'll never repeat exactly that on paper or any other substrate without light behind it.

i use the hood regularly on my nikkor 18-200. i find it prevents flare, which some people like, but i find intrusive. best to remove the hood if using any on-camera flash or you may get a crescent shadow on the bottom of the image. on my 55 i never use a hood because i have not yet encountered any flare problems. probably i should use one just for protection.

maybe this is a different topic, but what is the strict definition of a macro image?

What an awesome grab! It looks like you were on the same plane as the roost. any time i've been fortunate to shoot an osprey, i've had to shoot way up at him. this is undoubtedly a long lens shot and the clarity and focus are amazing.

cripes, i can't even figure out aperture much less try to get into photoshop.

yeah, geez, kill that date and time thing. reminds me of something taken with a kodak instamatic.

this newbie prefers uhh just because it looks better.

i'm not a canon shooter so i can't help much except to say that you have no prime lenses in your bag. a fast 50 or 85 might make sense. i'm waiting for the 85 and drooling every day.

2

it could be my monitor, i'm at the office on an uncalibrated screen, but it seems your color is off on the butterfly shot. assuming it's a monarch, there should be much more yellow and orange in its wings. also, it seems the canyon shot is more pale, washed out, than it should be. if it is my monitor, i apologize. if it's in your files, you might want to check your colors either in the camera or in your software.

the photos themselves, assuming correct color, are awesome. i particularly like the frog. the focus is spot on and the bokeh gives mr. frog the stage he deserves. nice job. don't know what lens you used but i wish it were mine.