Recent content by Hippo_MC

Some cracking shots there. Very impressive

I will throw my name in the hat. See if I can get past 10 weeks this time :-)

Cant get my head round what would be better for lowlight photography. I think I have a basic grasp on aperture, ISO & shutter speeds, but can't work out what is better for an advanced compact, fast lens or bigger sensor? For example, if all things were equal (forgetting whether one camera...

Have a look at the Vanguard Alta Pros. No need to remove centre column to flip it round for low shots. Very please with mine. Quite light and packs up relatively small as well.

Another one to consider is the Vanguard AltaPro. (folds down to 53cm) You can swing the centre column through 180 degrees, great for macro or providing a different aspect with the camera close to the ground.

Bob, really appreciate your response. I will take a look at the Velbon. Cheers

Thanks Bob, that now makes sense to me also :D It still doesn't explain how the focus stacked image was possible on the spider, unless it was frozen :thinking: So the next question, is what focus rails should I invest in. Any suggestions :wave:

I understand the concept of focus stacking, but I have a couple of questions. :thinking: I read that people use macro rails to move the camera forwards or backwards to change the point of focus, but wouldn't that also change the composition/size of the image in the viewfinder slightly as...

Bit of catching up to do I can only imagine :D but no doubt fun in a sadistic sort of way ;) Dawn, thanks for your message, glad you enjoyed the website. I too loved the highlands and also really loved the lake district. I just wish I was closer as the photo opportunities are endless...

Work is absolutely manic, so this is in effect my first Joker :'( ie, photo not taken specifically for the challenge. However, it still fits the week's theme. So this is a photo of me at the 'Finish' line last September after a mate and I cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats unsupported...

Another week where it has been 'chaos' at work and with life in general, so again was stuggling to find the time to get a photo. But here is my week 8 photo. When my little boy has a bath, it is always chaos :D He loves splashing around.

Thanks for all your kind words :thumbs: In answer to Top Banana's question re lighting. I could say that it was a very techinical set up with soft boxes, off camera flashes etc, but I would be telling lies. As I said originally it took me about 50 shots to get what I wanted. I tried...

Week 7 finally added. Light bulb filaments are very 'delicate' so here is my shot for the week. Taken with 50mm 1.8 + 21mm extension tube. Took about 50 shots before I got one I liked. Bit of a nightmare trying to get the light right, lots of refelections, plus playing around with...

I have a 40D and already have the 50mm 1.4. Was considering getting the 85mm as an additional portrait lens but also would like to get the 100mm Macro lens. With the 85mm you get f1.8 With the 100mm, the aperture is f2.8, but if I get the IS version I can gain a few stops, plus it also...

I will throw my 70-200 away now as I can't take macro 1:1 shots with it :cuckoo: Horses for courses. If you want to take 'different' types of portrait shots with a prime lens, you will need to own more than one prime lens!