Experimenting with my new lens - Tokina 35mm F2.8 AT-X Pro DX Macro. The following series of shots were all taken in the field. Different combinations of apertures gave interesting results, varying from soft and diffused backgrounds (1st pic) to more detailed and busy backdrops (2nd pic). This is a wonderfully versatile lens and I can see great potential for wide angle, environmental captures. I'm very pleased with the quality of the lens and look forward to appreciating its potential in good time for the Spring when I hope to try it out on butterflies and dragonflies!
By increasing the aperture to AV22 the Field Rose shrub in the background becomes apparent but not enough to impede with the focus of the foreground berries. The potential for wide angle environmental shots is apparent and I can't wait to try it out on large insects like butterflies and dragonflies.
At AV4.00 the Tokina gives wonderful dreamy backgrounds reminiscent of old master painterly effects.
The Tokina is great for hand held shots. I can shoot as low as TV100 without motion blur which is way lower than anything I would attempt with the Canon 100mm macro. The Tokina's manual focus is also much better damped than the Canon 100mm although its auto focus is nowhere near as fast.
As for the subject matter, the Field Rose is a clump forming shrub with small number of curved thorns. Associated with woodland margins, hedgerows and shrubs. The fruits are rounded to ovoid red hips.
