Perpetual insect photo thread

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Nice shot Geoff.
In fact awesome job without a maro lens. Hope you're enjoying the 16-85.

[Geoff Chandler]

Nice shot Geoff.
In fact awesome job without a maro lens. Hope you're enjoying the 16-85.

Definately pleased with the 16 - 85 - I was prepared for the one limitation, the lack of Macro, but it goes close enough for a lot of shots - just not macro. I will miss the Sigma 17 - 70 but needs must and I am trying to keep my kit as streamlined as possible. The difference between 17 and 16 at the wide end was noticable - despite some writings I have read saying there is little difference 18 down to 17, or 17 down to 16mm.
Also the difference between 70 and 85 was just what I needed.
My no 1 on the macro list is still the Tamron 90mm - but I might try out Kenko close up rings with either the 16 - 85 or the 28 - 200 in the meantime...not sure about that yet.
thanks again
Geoff

[GabrielC]

Some more insects from me

[Geoff Chandler]

GabrielC - great close up shots !!
What lens are you using for these???

[tizeye]

Not a macro...just liked the lighting

If only could have had the bee spotlighted, but wouldn't cooperate.

[GabrielC]

Thank you, Geoff.
SIGMA 70-300 DG APO Macro for the first two (300mm FL with minor crop) and Nikon 18-105 VR for the last one - tighter crop.

[Geoff Chandler]

Thanks for that Gabriel, I also have the Sigma 70 - 300 APO - maybe I
will try some more macro/close ups with it - I am hanging on to it for the time
being - I was going to sell it - but changed my mind.

[GabrielC]

I think the average opinion on the Sigma 70-300 macro is not a just one. Probably most of the users didn't try enough to "get along" with it and - given the very low price -preferred to dispose of it and spend a lot more on other lenses.
I have it for about one month now and I consider it a decent one (at least) if you are stubborn enough to learn how to use it avoiding its drawbacks. I will post next week several photos taken within this month, just to prove my point.
The major advantage is the possibilty to shot macro/close-up from a very confortable working distance of 0.95-1/5 meters which comes handy for insects and other "shy" subjects. The major problem I had at this stage was to obtain a suitable DOF for the subjects, as at 1-1.5 m working distance the Focal length of 200-300mm gives a very shallow and sometimes restrictive DOF. But I am learning how to deal with this...

I didn't have the time to use it for birds, although I have couple of sea-gull raw files which look far better than what I could obtain with Nikon 55-200 VR.

[Geoff Chandler]

I will watch out for your close ups/macros taken with the Sigma 70 - 300
I have used mine a bit - I have had it over 2 years, it takes a bit of adjustment - I was suprised how far back I have to be with close ups ~
This means the lens is moving all over the place - so higher ISO & Shutter
speeds are required. Also - it's a bit fiddly at times - getting it in and out of Macro - all added up I haven't used it much as I got frustrated with it and
found it awkward in use - maybe I need to try a bit more...

[kgosden]

A Painted Lady and Gulf Fritillary from a local butterfly release event today.