birdied

Been a while since I posted . Recently acquired the Nikon 200mm micro, and loving it. Trying to achieve greater than 1:1, these shots have the 5T and /or 6T stacked on the lens. I have no idea what magnification the 2 diopters stacked gave me. Drops were placed on the flower petal with a syringe. D810, on tripod, manual focus using live view. 2 speed lights. Cropped only for composition. Images were 2 to 16 shots focus stacked. .[ATTACH=full]1171502[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1171503[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1171504[/ATTACH]

<p>I have handheld the 200-500 for a couple of hours shooting without any problems. I rotate the lens foot on which I have placed a wimberly arca swiss plate and use it as a handle to hold the lens and camera between shots. <br> Birdie</p>

<p>Hello Pontus. I use the D810 and use the following for the majority of by birds or small insects in flight:<br> Under the Shooting Menu - Turn off</p> <ul> <li>Active D-Lighting: OFF</li> <li>HDR (high dynamic range): OFF (grayed out)</li> <li>Vignette control: OFF</li> <li>Auto distortion control: OFF</li> <li>Long Exposure NR: OFF</li> <li>High ISO NR: OFF</li> </ul> <p>I use Auto ISO 90% of the time and set the following under the Shooting Menu :</p> <ul> <li>ISO sensitivity settings</li> <ul> <li>ISO sensitivity: 64</li> <li>Auto ISO sensitivity control: ON</li> <ul> <li>Maximum sensitivity: 3200</li> <li>Minimum shutter speed: Auto</li> </ul> </ul> </ul> <p>Under Custom Setting Menu - I turn off Focus Tracking </p> <p>I shoot in Manual, choose my shutter and aperture. I use Auto ISO to account for any changes in light , etc. The D810 handles high ISO quite well and I can deal with noise in post. You have to determine what ISO you are comfortable with. I shoot in raw. <br> I use AF-C 9 or 21 points. If I am able to keep a single point on a bird, then I will use AF-S.</p> <p>Not sure if any of this helps you , but hope it does. <br> Here are a couple of shots using the above -</p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s6/v140/p1139416145-4.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s12/v177/p1327498507-5.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p> </p>

<p>Been sometime since I posted, but still enjoying all your wonderful shots.<br> Not too much photography lately. My subjects have all been from the garden this summer, hummingbirds, bees and butterflies .<br> Hope you enjoy</p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v43/p1369347508-4.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v72/p1365953807-4.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s12/v171/p1422346169-4.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Hello everyone ! Found this little Green Tree Frog taking up temporary residence in the Japanese Magnolia blossom. </p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s1/v56/p872694897-4.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v156/p380799934-4.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p> </p>

<p>While not having the ice and snow, the rain and cool temps have kept me in.</p> <p>Found a dandelion seed head . Picked it, brought it in and had fun with water again.<br> D800 105mm micro with 36mm extension tube. Focus stacked.</p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v113/p800512078.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v112/p1067348749.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p> </p>

<p>Very nice shots John DiLeo !</p>

<p>Hello everyone. Some great shots today.<br> Lil, love your series with the first shot being my favorite.<br> I have been testing my new 300mm f/4E PF VR . Really liking this lens. <br> These shots were taken with the 1.4III TC .<br> <img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v157/p204470820.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s12/v182/p456761012.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v114/p398845916.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><strong>"</strong>The 300 PF is an awesome product, no question about that. Super-glad I bought this lens, and I would do it again."</p> <p>I feel exactly the same as Dan. </p> <p><a name="pagebottom"></a></p>

<p>I received mine on Feb 5th from Amazon. I have not experienced any of the issues with the VR. Agree with Dan that this is an incredibly sharp lens at f/4 . Also very sharp with the 1.4IIITC at 5.6 even better stopped down with the TC.<br> Birdie</p> <p> </p>

<p>Shun, this almost ended up as "playing with fire" :)</p>

<p>Thanks everyone ! I really don't know how I did this and it certainly wasn't intentional . I have been using it for a couple of years and never had this happen. Kind of scary that in a few seconds it could do that! Makes me hesitate to use it now .<br> Again, thank you everyone for your input. Definitely will remove the lens and not walk with the lens on the Better Beamer.<br> Mary, thanks for the link.</p> <p>Birdie</p> <p> </p>

<p>Have done some research and it probably was the better beamer. Thanks for pointing me in that direction Kent. Don't know how I did it , but at least I know what I did.</p> <p>Birdie</p>

<p>Hi Kent. Yes I do use the Better Beamer and yes it is about the diameter of a cigarette. What did I do ?</p>

<p>I just noticed this on my SB910 today. If you look at the "ik" in the word Nikon, you will see it. It looks like something burned. It feels rough . I have not dropped, melted or set anything hot on the flash. It appears to be working okay.<br> Any ideas?</p> <p>Thank you,</p> <p>Birdie</p> <p>1.</p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s12/v174/p1008771576.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>2. 100 % crop</p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s6/v145/p924673211.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Played with the water again.<br> D800 60mm micro</p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v131/p686247552.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v153/p846356129.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s12/v182/p943407215.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Very nicely done Matt. I'll bet it was a very interesting shoot.</p>

<p>Neat shot and video Matt .</p>

<p>Hopefully you will get to go back again.<br> The one that comes to mind for me happened when I was taking the dog for a walk. Right in front of me a bald eagle was in hot pursuit of a blackbellied whistling duck ! Amazing sight , one I have never seen before or since.</p> <p>Birdie</p>

<p>Wonderful shots everyone. The weather has kept me inside. Tried my hand at frozen flowers.</p> <p>D800 60mm 2 off camera speedlights<br> <img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v123/p833914901-4.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v164/p804614752-4.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Some wonderful shots here today.</p> <p>Matt that is quite impressive ! Sounds quite complicated and intricate . </p> <p> </p>

<p>Good Day everyone ! <br> Not too much activity for the birds lately. Did find some Brown Pelicans.</p> <p> </p><div></div>

<p>My fussy shooting of late is the water drops. The results are always surprising and each one is different.</p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s6/v151/p558387860-4.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v4/p835479630-5.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://birdied.zenfolio.com/img/s6/v148/p987510043-5.jpg" alt="" /></p>