Help my camera seems to be lying

[peterjclarke]

Barbara, A sharp image is not always desirable either. This shot of Black Headed Gulls was from my college portfolio last year and nothing is sharp at all. It's an expression of movement and was used on the front cover of an arts magazine. Saying that though the image needs to be intentionally way out of focus to work.



Dave, I've never even seen a Marsh Harrier so well done!

[Bub-les]

Thanks for the replies.
I haven't discarded everything yet!
I managed an hour of reasonable light this morning and I'm pleased to say I think some of the results are passable hopefully you will think so when I post them later. For the time being I'm off for another practise and then out for a Mother's Day meal. So it will be much later or even tomorrow.
And Peter I love the photo. Yes I appreciate not everything needs to be in focus. I was just getting fed up with NOTHING being anywhere near in focus but I appreciate its down to me to check more carefully and watch what I'm doing! Todays efforts have given me hope again!
Saw a razorbill too but it was too far away for a decent photo but I have at least taken one good enough for me to ID the bird!
Dave I've not seen a marsh harrier but I do frequently see hen harriers and it is one of my aims to get a decent photo of one this year!
Barbara

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Bub-les

Thanks for all your replies and comments.
First my camera is a Sony Alpha 100, the lens is a Tamron 200-500mm and the converter is Teleplus MC7 Mx-AF x2.
I have been trying to get used to taking wildlife photos because my wonderful son has booked a Safari holiday to Tanzania for me and my 13yr daughter! ( he enabled me to get the lens as well!). I understand that I will not get much opportunity to use a tripod hence me not even trying! I have got a monopod and a bean bag both of which I intend to take. I just thought I'd try the converter but I have not been happy with the results so I'm not sure if I'll even take it with me.

For a game drive shooting from the top (or window) of a periodically moving vehicle you will definitely need your autofocus so i would forget the TC and practice just using the lens - also i'd recomend a visit to safari park to get some practice shooting the animals you will encounter out on the plains.

I'd also be supprised if the monopod is that useful in a crowded vehicle - tho its worth having for the ocassions that you might be shooting on foot - the bean bag is your best bet (btw you can take this empty and fill it up with local bought pulses to save weight and bulk)

on the plus side most of the animals you will encounter on safari will be much bigger than the average british wildlife so you will find it easier to get frame filling shots with just the lens, and africa tends to be pretty bright meaning that high shooting speeds (to freeze subject movement and combat wobble)are possible.

another thing to remember is that on gamedrives you will get dust - lots of dust - so keep your lens changes to a minimum (i'd recomend not changing lenses at all while the vehicle is moving and doing so cautiously inside a jacket during stops) - it is also well worth investing in some sensor cleaning kit like the "arctic butterfly" to clean the sensor each night - tho even then you can expect some dust spots which will need to be removed in photoshop.

[Bub-les]

Thank you Eeyore for your thoughts and help. As to practicing by going to a Safari park its a good idea but unfortunately the are none on this isle.
I must admit the dust problem does have me concerned. I was thinking of taking a large clear plastic bag with me and doing it in that. I'll investigate the "Arctic Butterfly".
I must admit I'm looking forward to having better light as I have found a big improvement on the few better days we've had this winter.
Thanks again and all suggestions will be taken on board as this will probably never be repeated and I intend to make the most of it.
Barbara

[eeyore]

you could try knowsley safari park nr liverpool if you ever felt like a trip to the mainland

edit btw i think warehouse express are the distributor for artic butterfly - check out the andy rouse website for reviews etc - he's convinced which is good enough for me.

i've got one on order and will be doing a wab review as soon as it arrives (and I have time)

[pressld2]

I use a Visible Dust Sensor Brush and find it excellent. It is simple to use, requires only the very lightest of contact with the low pass filter in front of your sensor and nine times out of ten removes all dust specks in one go. I also use sensor swabs with Eclipse cleaning fluid if there is something more sticky that that the Sensor Brush won't shift but I haven't had to resort to that for well over six months now. I bought mine direct from the makers in Canada and got hit for import duty so it ended up costing me nearly £120! But when you look at the price of sensor swabs I reckon it's nearly paid for itself already, plus it's much, much gentler.

The Arctic Butterfly is a slightly smaller, self-contained version of the sensor brush which is ideal for travelling. If I were lucky enough to be going on safari I'd buy one without hesitation.

Dave P.

[Hamearis]

On your safari you will take 90% of your photos standing up, through the roof of the minibus/landcruiser/land rover.
Do not be afraid to ask the driver to turn off the engine, as the viabration can ruin shots.
Our driver supplied us with bean bags, but you can take/make your own - a velcro closed pillow-case shape about 7" square will do. Fill it with gravel, beans, whatever on arrival. I have a friend who fills his with fine polystyrene chips, and uses it as a pillow on aircraft!
For wildlife (including birds) your 200 to 500 will be ideal. I used a Bigma (50-500) in Tanzania last year and got some stunning shots. I never regretted leaving my 500 f4.5 at home.
Leave the teleconvertor at home!!!
I had an 18-85 on another body and thus avoided lens changing.
You will take HUNDREDS of pictures, so take loads of memory cards or a downloader. Battery charging is no problem, as the lodges all have 220v systems.
I also took a monopd for the occasions we were able to go for a stroll.
A flash is very needed for late stuff - tiny nocturnal primates etc.
If you have space, a macro lens for insects and other creepy crawlies is very useful.
You will have a fabulous time - I promise.
Good luck
Roger

[Bub-les]

Thanks eeyore and DaveP I have ordered the arctic butterfly from fotosense as they were so good with my lens and the price is comparable with the others.
Roger firstly welcome to WAB they are a great bunch!!
Thanks for the advice unfortunately I don't have a macro lens but I thought I could overcome that by using a set of tubes with my18-70mm kit lens.
The only flash I have is the on camera one! I know its not very good but it will have to do!
Must admit to getting rather excited as its not long now.
Barbara