Recent content by Words

Lovely set indeed. It's a female btw.

Nice one! Always tricky to catch on the run.

Andy, thanks. And Joe! :eek: Seriously, there's a number of them around the pond (which is adjacent to farmland) and if they are going to be anywhere this is about the best place for them. Locals often watch them, bring the kids, and so on. Quite odd. I'm more concerned about the terrapins in...

A couple of a recent shots of a rat down by our local pond.

I've just been leaving it on 5.6 throughout the range, and I've not even felt the need to go hunting for a sweet spot (quite unlike the original version). This shot of a rat in the undergrowth was at 5.6 1/200s (ISO 400).

Should add that it plays nicely with the 1.4x III extender.

I'm using the Mark II 100-400 on a 7D Mk II body. It's a really nice combination. IS on the lens is excellent and I've been going as low as 1/40s at times at 400mm (I've been photographing rats in shady corners of a local pond). The other big bonus is that it is very sharp at f/5.6. Combined...

I agree with the previous post. If you're starting out use the Canon DPP and then do a final edit in PS Elements. That will take you a very long way and cover just about everything you want to do.

Tough with that budget to be honest as you will really want at least 300mm, and preferably more. As a starting point and on a tight budget I would look at the Sigma 120-400 or 150-500. Both a bit more than you mention, but both excellent value and not silly money.

Look here. It basically affects the early models.

It won't affect the image as the lens focuses way past the point where those motes on the front lens will have any impact. Even small scratches won't necessarily impact on image quality. Take a look at this article on scratched lenses.

I agree wider is better, but clearly depends on what lenses you've got to choose from. Lighting and so on. This was shot at f5/6, but there was good stage lighting.

When I've done this I've used a highish ISO (800-1600), wide aperture (f/5), and adequate shutter (1/100s) (and then check the histogram to see how things are turning out).