Lotus Lover - Click image to view larger!

Very nice. I love nature shots like this. Great lens!

Thanks Phil! Wish the fly is all sharp but there's no chance of that with the shallow DOF that I got. Since this was shot handheld, I could not dare slow down the SS much more to close down the lens. This place, Huntington Library in San Marino, Calif. does not like me to bring too much gear in and I left the tripod + gimbal head home. I got querry about my lens almost every time I come in even though I already careful not to put the 6-8" long hood one when I pass through the gate. :-)

Great detail and composition. Well done.

Hi TM,

Great optics can do many things, as you have shown in this wonderful close view of the vivid red color dragonfly.

I would venture to guess that your hand held capabilities are close to mine ! I know that there is not any IS system that can do better than me using a non-IS lens at the same shutter speed setting. I have them all, IS and Non-IS, and enjoy trying to keep up with the new technology.

Best Regards,  Mike

Thanks Raymond!

Thanks Mike! I never turn off the IS, hence, I don't really know. However, the old 500mm without IS is probably a lot lighter than the 500mm IS and I think that would help some also. The new/coming 500mm is 1.5 lbs lighter than the current one (this one I have), that is if one has the extra $2,000 or more to save that 1.5lbs. :-)

Great shot, especially for hand held. Great detail in the leading edges of the wings. Near perfect DOF. Oustanding work!