Hi Sylvie This will give you basic info on extension tubes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extension_tube You can buy them singly or in sets of three and of course all three can be used together to give more magnification. I have a set of three Kenco tubes but with my 300 mm lens I only ever use the 36...

Thanks for the kind words.
Dave

Congrats to the winner (note to myself "must try harder")
Dave

This appeared in the garden this morning. It did not hang around for long, only enough time to get a quick snap.
[img]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/djfmackenz ... stone2.jpg[/img]
Dave

Hi Sylvie Your 300mm would work in a similar way to a macro if you had a spacing tube fitted to it. I use a similar arrangement with a 300mm lens and a 30 mm spacer and its good for small blues and skippers. The other advantage to using a long focus lens is that you do not have to get quite a close ...

Looking good Dave

Had a chance to get out and about with my new zoom and I think i'm in love. I know its the wrong subject but butterflies are in short supply around here at the moment. [img]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/djfmackenzie/forums\wigeon.jpg[/img] [img]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/djfmackenzie/forums\fieldfa...

I've never tried a camera with IS but I have a couple of lenses that have it. It is probably true that it makes a lens heavier and bulkier and it certainly makes them more expensive but if possible discount all of that because IS is magic
Dave

There was a similar story in today's Sunday Times. Its nice to see it getting widespread coverage and hopefully something will be done to help the worsening situation
Dave

I know its not quite the same and probably not relevant, but on a recent birding trip I took the binoculars, telescope and a Canon point and shoot and left the DSLR behind. This is because I would have needed a pack horse to take it all. I saw loads of spectacular birds lots of them lifers and where...

Its the mating pair, all the rest are single
Dave

I have not voted before on this subject (that's as far as I know, but I am susceptible to sleep walking ) but in case it makes a difference my vote is yes
Dave

Hi Pete
I want to vote but all I'm getting is the results of the votes so far
Dave

I agree with the 400D vote mainly because I use one and I'm very satisfied. Re the lens to go with it, its worth remembering that the longer the focal length the more you can "stand off" the subject, so less stalking and less disturbance to the butterfly.
Dave

while we are on the subject of sparrowhawks noshing pigeons, here is one taken by my son
[img]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/djfmackenz ... whawk2.jpg[/img]
Dave

Hi Pete, we live in the middle of suburbia and have a garden pond that measures 6x4ft. We get southern hawkers (lots), common blue and large red damselflies. Also one year a mallard raised a family in it.
Dave

Well mine finally arrived and I'm trying to get used to it. Its a lot heavier for hand holding than my 300 zoom but its still possible. The results are nice and sharp and I like the extra reach, all I need now is some decent weather (Its been cloudy and dull here for a week) to get some good results...

I don't remember where I read this but if you have a deep(ish) scratch on an object glass it it better to fill it in with black paint rather than leave it untreated. The black mark on the surface will not show on your pics and it will cure any lens flare. BTW Eccles I forgot to mention what a super ...

Its surprising how much abuse the front of the object glass of a lens can take particularly one with a long focal length. If for example you painted a large black cross on the front of the lens and took a picture the chances are that you would not see it in the picture (it simply reduces the amount ...

Cheers Paul, I look forward to seeing your pics
Dave