Went dragonflying with the 70-200/4...

I noticed a couple things while shooting today. First, shooting at 200mm f/4 at minimum focus distance isn't a good idea. Most of the shots I took at this range came out pretty soft, even though I was shooting at 1/800+. I was lucky enough to be able to salvage a couple. At f/5.6, it's tack sharp. Also, trying to AF macro with a non-macro lens is a bad idea. I learned that pretty quickly.

Ok onto the pictures...I hadn't noticed at first but I guess all the ones I ended up picking were at the same angle. Hmm. Should've flipped one of them for variety. Oh well.


1.

Nice set, these show you don't have to be up close and personal to show insects at their best. Nice composition.

You did well! That lens is soft at minimum unless you add a 500D diopter to it -found out the hard way as well...

Attic wrote in post #3526217
Nice set, these show you don't have to be up close and personal to show insects at their best. Nice composition.

Ditto
Lovely shots.

Lovely shots. The 70-200 f4L is pretty good for dragonfly shots, but like you say f5.6 or a bit above is better. I have had some lovely shots in the past using mine - its handy when you know you wont be able to get terribly close, so its a lense always worth taking with you when you go dragonfly shooting.

Linda

Thanks guys. I still think I was a little far from the dragonflies to get all the shots I wanted (all three of those shots were taken at MFD, number 2 is slightly cropped), so I can't wait until the Kenko tubes I ordered arrive.

It's too bad the 500D doesn't come in 67mm...if I get a step-up adapter for it, will I still be able to use the lens hood?

Nice shots, you did well. As others have said, you don't have to get up and super close and personal for good shots of Insects and Arachnids, etc.

Dave

Nice series of shots.

Lovely natural light series- Love the light, colour and compositions
Brian V.