For the likes of Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus, they're becoming increasingly dependent upon the 'big boys' (Sony, Panasonic/Matsushita, Samsung, and so forth), for sensors. I believe that Sony are finding it increasingly difficult to compete at that level? Canon are unusual in that they don't rely...

Just a though , but I suspect that hardwood cuttings in autumn would take. Cut a mature (ie woody) piece of privet and push in the ground. It might not work but nothing lost if it does fail. Thanks for that, if I get back to the spot in question this autumn I'll give it a go. I'm sure nobody will m...

Rosalyn wrote:I just googled it

Ouch, that told me!

Rosalyn wrote: and 23 suppliers came up on the RHS site
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/10108/Wild-privet/Details

None near me, but that doesn't matter too much because clearly in general some garden centres do stock it, so I'll keep checking.

Fantastic, thank you both. Now I can check my books to see when best to prune it etc. I did have a quick look at pieris in the books when I was trying to identify it (attracted by the red new growth) but discounted it because my one is variegated and has pink new growth.

Those Adonis Blue shots are fabulous.

Can somebody tell me what this shrub is please? http://www.challoner.com/tmp/shrub.jpg I've been given it because I expressed an interest in a full grown one back in May when it was clearly extremely attractive to bees (although I didn't see any butterflies on it). It seems to grow to about 2m tall ...

Me again. Is it possible to buy wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare) from garden centres? I've been to a few recently and none have it, although there were some other varieties on sale. I didn't want those though because they flower later in the year than wild privet, and I'm not sure how attractive they...

Thanks very much both. It did indeed have quite a strong scent. I had no idea it was privet - to me that was something with little leaves used for hedging, but now I know better! I shall be buying a suitable variety for the garden.

I was wondering if anybody can identify this shrub please? It was on some waste ground next to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, and the local butterflies were most definitely enjoying it. I'd like to obtain a couple to plant in my garden if possible, so I was wondering what it is. The flowers look similar...

Looking at the leaves I would agree it's probably a variety of lilac.

Quick diversion and a question mainly for Gary but also to others who use the Canon 100-400L. Do you use it with a protector filter or UV filter or similar? The reason I ask is that I've found mine is noticeable less sharp/able to accurately focus with one on, I've had a Canon clear protect filter ...

Thanks very much everybody for the responses - very informative indeed. I've decided to see how I get on next year with my 100-400L, both on its own and with an extension tube (which I'll be buying shortly). It makes sense seeing as I already have the lens. If I feel I'm missing shots due to a lack ...

Thanks everyone for the replies. Looks like a longer length macro would be a good choice (comments regarding disturbing others duly noted).

Hi, I'm new to butterfly photography and I'm looking for lens recommendations. My main passion is aviation, and I've been photographing aircraft for many years. Therefore I already own an EOS30D DSLR and a variety of lenses ranging from an EF-S 17-85mm to an EF 100-400 L. I've used the latter for a ...

Thanks for the confirmation Mark

We saw some blue butterflies on the Isle of Wight last week, on a steep embankment outside Carisbrooke Castle. I had completely the wrong lens on for active wild butterflies (a 17-85mm), but managed some distant shots, and with some extreme cropping this is what one of them looked like: blue2.jpg bl...