gary_c4

<p>Take a look at Benro they do a very good selection of carbon fibre at very good prices that allows for a more expensive head</p>

<p>I use a Lowepro sling 320AW. I carry a 5d, 70-200 mkii, + two more lenses, flash spare batteries ect depends were I am going. I could use a backpack and sling this at the front but for my needs its fine on its own and it leaves all the gear easily accessible. Hope this helps.<br>

Gary </p>

<p>A lovely collection</p>

<p>Tom ANG has written some very good books which cover all levels of experience. Whilst they are not nature specific they will certainly help you understand how to take a good photograph and then its just practice practice practice. </p>

<p>Rick, I had the non-IS version for about 12 months before trading it for the new 100mm L IS Macro. To be perfectly honest if there is any difference it is very marginal in favor of the newer lens, having said that the older lens is exceptional. The reason I changed was purely one of convenience as the IS allows me to have the lens on as a walk about lens which gives me more opportunities without the need to carry a tripod. I can't talk for underwater as I have no experience there unfortunately.</p>

<p>Some flowers depending upon colour and texture create a problem for auto focus, I have certainly had this experience and when that happens I use manual focus. I agree with Kerry in that I only use a single point of focus. I have the same lens on a 50d and it is a great lens so don't despair</p>

<p>I am somewhat confused, I live in an urban environment in LA where I have planted my garden (no feeders) with the specific intention to attract Hummingbirds, which I do almost all day throughout the day. I have photographed them extensively and am now wondering what I should place on the photo? </p>

<p>Jason, I have the Canon ef 50mm 1.4 and tried it recently around the garden. The photo's were ok but not nearly as good as the ef 100mm 2.8L is macro I have, I guess that accounts for the price. I would say that it really depends on what you intend to take the photo's for. If you just wish to enjoy them then it may be fine, if you are looking to sell then you may find it hard to get the type of detail you are looking for. Whichever it is good luck<br>

Gary </p>

<p>Jason, I have the Canon ef 50mm 1.4 and tried it recently around the garden. The photo's were ok but not nearly as good as the ef 100mm 2.8L is macro I have, I guess that accounts for the price. I would say that it really depends on what you intend to take the photo's for. If you just wish to enjoy them then it may be fine, if you are looking to sell then you may find it hard to get the type of detail you are looking for. Whichever it is good luck<br>

Gary </p>

<p>I have recently bought 2 85mm f1.8 for my daughters both who use the lenses with their XSi's without problem. When conducting some research however some people, albeit very very few reported AF issues. I also have one which I use with a 50d without problems. </p>

<p>I have upgraded and it makes a considerable difference being able to use the lens without a tripod. It means I can walk around my garden and if I see a picture I can shoot it instead of spending valuable time setting up. Also the clarity is everything you would hope and expect from an 'L'. I think its worth the upgrade if you can stand the expense </p>

<p>If you are prepared to look at second hand there are a lot of Canon EF 100mm F2.8 around at the moment following the release of the L IS version. It is a very good lense and I have no doubt you can find them in the region of 300 to 500, good luck.</p>

<p>I recently starting using a power pack on a 50d, never tried one before and can say it really helps with creating a steady platform</p>

<p>Hal,</p>

<p>One of the many links to this story in addition to all the other evidence has identified the wildlife park that this particular wolf lives at. I read that the first complaints originated from fellow photographers in Spain who recognised this particular animal. It does suggest that the evidence was overwhelming. Whilst of course it would have been better had this been discovered prior to the award being made, which I am sure is the view of both organisors, they do rely on the competitors honest participation.</p>

<p>I am somewhat confused by Hal B's response, after all this is a 'Wildlife' photography competition, as it is, then to exclude a photograph of an animal that is not wild would seem a natural response. I also understand from this years entry that captive wildlife entries will not be allowed. It may be a dying art, but photography of trained captive animals is not the solution. There is a world of wildlife out there to photographed in its natural habitat and we don't need to stoop to the level of 'trained monkeys'. If they are certain of their case then I say well done BBC and the Natural History Museum. </p>

<p>I use almost exclusively the 100mm macro, now the IS L, but recently bought my daughter an 85mm 1.8 and yes I know its not a prime but its as good as it gets and at the price produces stunning shots throughout the range. I guess if I were to start again I would have started with the 85mm, but then I may never have moved on to anything else. </p>

<p>I have the very Lowe Pro Super Trekker Pro II you are talking about and is great for carrying and protecting your camera gear but would be too small for clothes, unless you travel really light. I have never seen anything like this on the market and can only suggest getting a normal backpac and a smaller camera backpac and then clip the two together. They may be different brands but most bags have a multitude of clips and straps to securely attach one to the other. Alternatively check out a Military supply site who often provide bags for a multitude of purposes.<br>

Good luck</p>

<p>Thanks for all the advice I will definantly start with two ext drives and see where that takes me. I will take a look at all the different types and take it from there.<br>

Thanks again Gary C</p>

<p>Having used a PC laptop, I have recently decided after much research to buy an I Mac for all my photo processing. It will have 640gb but I wish to have a hard drive backup and having spent days reading about almost every hard drive ever, I find mixed reviews on them all. Can anyone give any suggestions on a 1TB hard drive or alternatively a 500gb that is both reliable and resiliant to manage my library.<br>

Thank you GC</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I am not sure if I have the answer, but last week my 4 gig ram modules and motherboard failed permenantly when I was using LR 2.5 and having had the laptop repaired under warranty the same thing happened yesterday, only 3 hours after I collected it from the shop. I have had the laptop just under 12 months and no problem till I started using LR2.5 on a 30 day free trial. I have a 350gb internal drive and a 300gb external Toshiba drive, both seem to be unnafected by the failure last time but I don't know this time. This is my 11th Toshiba laptop and I have never experienced anything like this before. </p>

<p>I came back 3 weeks ago and whilst I was not where you are going I can say two things. First you are going to the best part as I am told by the locals that the Corcovado National Park has the best opportunity to see wildlife. However it is also the place in Costa Rica that has the highest rainfall so expect it to be very very wet. If you get the opportunity to travel visit the Monteverde Cloud Forrest which is unique. Also try Ostional if it is full moon as you can see thousands of Olive Ridley turtles if you are interested, check with the locals as the turtles only come in for a 4 day period at each full moon, its a spectacular sight and starts before the sun goes down so there is an opportunity to get some nice photo's </p>

<p>I agree that you will need a tripod, look at a carbon Benro. Its a relatively new product but very well built and very light and folds shorter that most and about half the price of its competitors. I know I sound like a salesman and in a way wish I were as I think this brand may do very well.</p>

<p>Having lived there I can simply say, layers, layers, layers as if it hits 10c you may feel really hot. Your outer layer should all be waterproof, coat pants, walking boots and hat. I use Berghaus but its really up to you. The key with outer wear is to make sure its breathable so you don't trap any sweat inside. I would use fingerless gloves (I use them when I salmon fish even in the snow and they still keep you warm). If you are stopping in somewhere like Edinburgh on the way check the local shops, the locals live with the weather and will have a much better idea. </p>

<p>As someone who lived minutes from Bushey Park for many many years I can say that the one on the left stirs the emotions for me. Many happy times remembered, thanks </p>

<p>Thanks all for the information which is extreemly helpful. I have looked at some of the Costa Rica forums on the site now and they have proved very helpful, I will check out the rest later. Hope to bring back some nice photo's on my return that I can share</p>