Hi all, I currently use the Canon 7d and 100mm L macro lens for my butterfly photography and the quality of the photographs is stunning. However, I'm on the hunt for some new kit: something a bit smaller and lightweight, something i can use for travel also, and i came across the Sony a6700. Is there...

Hi all, I'm visiting the IOW on Saturday for a week and I'm looking for some recommendations for butterfly sites. I've visited sites such as Wheelers Bay, Compton Chine, Freshwater Cliffs etc for the Glanville, and Brook Quarry for a variety of other species, but I'm hoping to visit some new areas f...

Hi all, Ive recently set up a Brown Hairstreak blog, similar to The Purple Empire , that im hoping will become just as successful. The aim is to have as many contributors as possible to post sightings, observations, research, photographs, trip reports etc from around the country, including reports o...

Thanks all for the responses. Very helpful :) Roger - I will definitely be having a drink after the walk. Might need a couple before i start too :lol: Mike - If walking from Newbiggin, do you know where the best place to park the car is? Is the area you described also good for SPBF, NBA and DGF? Fan...

Hi all! Im going on an "Extreme Butterflying" trip to the Lake District for 10 days from 2nd July and was hoping to get some info on which sites to visit. My main targets are High Brown Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Northern Brown Argus, Grayling, Larg...

Hi all, Having read all of the above replies, i thought id add in my own 2 cents. Phil showed me this image before he even uploaded it to Flickr and i didnt notice the double spots either (im clearly not very observant!). Although i agree with the consensus that the double spots are actually duplica...

The missus really needs a new car - and the price is about the same :( I think a "birthday bicycle" is called for :D Im sure she'll understand, Pete. Having said that, i wouldn't stand too close when you give her the bicycle :lol: Be prepared to make a run for it! Hope you win enough to b...

Prepare to drool.................. http://www.the-digital-picture.com/reviews/Canon-EF-200-400mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Extender-1.4x-Lens-Review.aspx OMG! I didnt realise they had it featured on the site already! Damn, that is one good looking lens. Id better save up £10,000 just incase its more expensive t...

I have apologised without reserve for my abrasive, aggressive and somewhat bullish approach to her initial post in this this discussion. Just as i have apologised for not being clearer in the first place :) Through the likes of Gillian, the future of butterfly conservation (lower-case intended) in ...

GILL please don't let it put you off joining in and aren't you glad Miss Beast is staying :) I wont :) And YES! Coach Beiste is the best :D I cant wait to see her sing a number! Hi Gill - superb photos on your Flickr account, BTW! Thanks, Pete. I have hundreds more to upload but its finding the tim...

Just incase anyone else took my post completely the wrong way, i now feel the need to justify my beliefs: 1. I do not think everyone who has a net is a collector. 2. I have nothing against people using a net for identification or research purposes provided: a) they release the subject afterwards wit...

If you happen to see anyone up a mountain with a net this year, would it ever occur to you to politely enquire what they are up to? You might actually learn something. I think you've taken that sentance completely the wrong way. Perhaps i should have said "If i see anyone up a mountain with a ...

I am shocked and disgusted after reading that. Why cant people understand that collecting is a thing of the past? Things are different now. Surely the survival of a species is more important than someones so called "collection". Some species are endangered enough without people like Rik he...

I think I may also take a small donkey to carry all this gear up and down the mountains. Sorry forgot that's why I'm taking Helen. :lol: :lol: Poor Helen! :D Good luck on your trip though. Im sure you'll get some amazing stuff on camera :) That Chequered Skipper photo is amazing, btw. Im hoping to ...

60x magnification is great but not easy to hold still. You need a good old big tripod. My gear weighs in at around 15 to 20 kg in all and I'm gonna be lugging it up some Swiss mountains this year. Good for building the muscles up though. I can imagine! Not sure how much my camera, lenses, accessori...

I agree with Gary that Canon 100 (with or without IS) is a fantastic lens, but a bit short for butterflies and other wary bugs. Ive not really had a problem getting close to most species of butterfly with my 100mm. I did a lot of photography with my little compact in 2008 and 2009 where i had to ge...

With butterfly work I do like a longer working distance, so the Canon 100 IS was never seriously on my shopping list. But if they stick IS on the 180mm then I'll have to start saving again. :( Do you use the Sigma 150mm for macro work? The Canon 180mm L is expensive enough but can you imagine the p...

With 400mm on my canon XL2 video camera I get up to around 60x magnification Damn! Ive gotta get me one of those video cameras. They look awesome! 60x magnification sounds like it would be good for filming the Purple Emperor and Purple Hairstreak :) I would gladly sacrifice 100mm and have the Canon...

Are you perhaps talking about the non-IS version of this lens? Hi Paul. No, im definitely talking about the IS version as this is the one i have. Im pretty sure the review site agrees with most of the points i raised. Of course, it also focuses on the pros too which, as i said before, are an improv...

I unfortunately ended up owning a 18-55 when I bought a 300D lens kit. It seemed a bit wasteful just leaving it aside, so I now employ it as a paper weight. :D Why didn't i think of that? Oh well, at least i have the satisfaction of knowing that mine was probably crushed into a million little piece...