Focus

I will put some of my latest pictures if it makes you happy I have no recollection of previous comments as you say but if they are similar it shows consistency. Thanks for your advice.

re: Macro stick with Sigma 105 or the 180 mm, Canon make the 60 MPE exceptional magnification. if the lens you have is too heavy try the 120-400 mm Sigma

Thanks....http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdseyeviewphotos
will bring you my captures. I offer freely my 60 years of experience but some of the 50 years with film are not that relevant in this digital age....I do little manipulation of images just press the sharpen and contrast buttons in photoshop elements 7

My card and what I do help is free if you can get to Cambridgeshire UK


It might look expensive but its Used worth £2000 UK based on the FujiS5Pro bodies and Sigma lenses 17-70 with a 105 Macro and a 120-400 plus a Nikon 18-55.spare batteries and a Marumi Ring flash it the 12 inches behind the camera to quote Ansel Adams


Me and my Mini Cooper 2016 bought the jacker to match.

I was taught that each lens should have a UV filter for protection which I have followed for the 62 years that I have had cameras. But today I have read on a Sigma lens site that coatings are so hard that this additional protection is not needed. But as with lens hoods I always use one to cut out flare how many people do you see without them.....Suppose it's the difference between Snaps and photographs.

As a Photographer that runs photo safaris to Africa there are a number of thing to improve your shots. Lets look at your equipment first 1, it looks like camera shake, I suggest increasing the ISO number so the shutter speed is higher than the focal length of the lens ie a 400 mm lens needs at least 1/500 th. 2, Take the camera off of Auto setting and use Speed priority setting . 3, Turn the engine off. You could put the camera on a monopod, I use a bean bag fly with it empty and buy coffee beans on site. I don't know where you are but free lessons are available in Cambridge England if you want some help.

I got up one morning for an early game drive to see this opposite 50 feet away I got back inside took this from the window that was a reason for camera shake. Another thing I was taught was to breathe in take the picture breathe out.


This was the result of both luck and being still in the jeep as well as a long lens

What a nice set a credit to you.

I have sent a reply and some photos re Macro lenses but as this is day 2 on the site how do I know you have got it---Please let me know what Lens you finally chose.

Me in The Middle East doing a Fashion Shoot with my Hasselblad 1986


I might have been born in the UK but I like Burgers and Mustangs


As well as the car that started us driving here


The fields in the UK are a bit smaller than yours across the pond but photos in the countryside are another favourite of mine


Nearly reached the end time for a break and some tea


Ploughing it in to sow later


Ploughing it in to sow later


Ploughing it in to sow later close-up for impact


Look behind you

My comments on the subject of using UV or Skylight filters is it's a must for protection I buy one with the lens and put it on as soon as it comes out of the box and suggest you do to it's cheaper to by a new filter than to get a new front element or even a new lens no matter how careful you are. On the subject of things to put on lenses how many of you use a lens hood to stop flare.

My first camera I was 9 years old did not have filters in those days.


Imagine getting water on that lens put on a filter to protect it.


This is me or at least when I wear it.


Me in The Middle East doing a Fashion Shoot with my Hasselblad 1986

When you choose a Macro Lens make sure you get one that is a dedicated one there are zoom lens say 70-300mm out there that put up the word macro or just M these will give 1/2 life size.
You are looking for a 1:1 magnification your camera maker will produce one some I seen are 40 mm, 60 mm, 80 mm but with these small focal lengths you might get to close and the insect might fly away before your able to focus. I used on the shots here a Sigma 105 mm but there are 180 mm lens available, I often use a tripod and that helps focusing as you will find the depth of field what's in focus might only be fractions of an inch. Another item I saw and got was a Raynox attachment in Europe we say Google it put it to the search engine you will be amazed at some of the magnified examples on their web site - it does not replace the Macro lens but gets you closer another thing I did was to put a 1.4 Converter between body and lens just see the magnification below in these shots.

The converter gave such magnification the reflection is a ring flash


Converter 1.4x added just look at size of those eyes


Insect without the 1.4 x converter added

Focus Advice I would suggest you use a bean bag resting the camera on it and on the vehicle you were in. There is a possibility that if the vehicle had its engine running you would get that effect. Look at some of my shots most of them are using a tripod or a monopod. Picking a higher ISO speed would have given a higher shutter speed. Another tip I was told when younger was to breath in and press the shutter before you breath out.
I run PhotoSafaris to Africa and suggest because of the distance involved you can not come to the lessons I give here in the UK but I am happy to advise on line here or on birdseyeviewphotos@yahoo.co.uk

It is not so common to see 3 males together they must be brothers


Can you imagine opening the door to find this one on your step


I got back indoors a shot through the window when I stopped shaking

Thanks Teri O---- Your so right How often what is said is not what is heard and that then causes a problem. Here are some more pics. Taken locally I live in a very pretty and famous part of England more so there is a good restaurant in Godmanchester the town was granted a Royal Charter by the King in 1215 to hold a weekly market and now its a good place for relaxation.

The same River as the gulls feeding above and the shots below


The River Ouse a walk a long its banks brings many subjects


I do like this shot with the Orange to add impact


After awhile the bird decided to fly away but I got it framed.

Thanks Molly I enjoyed my trips to Florida but it was before the digital days Nature is there a plenty. Here are a few more pictures I ought to add the profile pic was when I was 19 a long time ago.
This being my first day on this site I am still learning the ropes.

Here you can see what I do to earn a crust


Got this one published in the Nat Geo


Home when I am not travelling Yes Old England


Macro work in the garden I just love doing

Bullet 1971 Thanks for your comment: here are some more taken in the Amboseli Park from there almost on the Equator you can see the highest mountain in Africa Mount Kilimanjaro to see the snow is rare as 75% of the time it's covered in clouds.

Found it and it tastes good


Snow on the Equator


Time for a fight or was it just a game

Thanks Perlin for your comments I have added a few more shots, so from my last Safari group trip to Kenya I take small groups to Africa for instruction and photos I have being doing this this I worked in Tanzania 1995 now having retired I operate from Cambridge UK and go to South Africa with Less mobile folks and those in wheelchairs---- can you imagine what it feels like to stroke a tame Cheetah in a Private Park leaning out of your chair or feeding a baby Hippo.

Waiting pays dividends here I was in my car


Again a close crop can bring more impact


Looking for a feed like all babies do