rob loxley

<p><img src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/261656_864342953000_36916430_45699535_5099029_n.jpg" alt="" width="403" height="604" /><br>

Went with the 70-300: very sharp, great focussing speed & some good shots</p>

<p>As per the title I'm off to South Africa and spending some time photographing wildlife in Shamwari reserve. As a new field for me, I'm looking at renting a lens to go on a Canon 550d (T2i) body; current lenses are 10-22 & 17-55mm only. Choices seem to have narrowed to the 100-400L or 70-300L (both similar price to rent) so a few questions:</p>

<ul>

<li>Will I miss the 300-400mm reach if I go for the 70-300? Do I really need 640mm (focal length equiv.)?</li>

<li>How much better is the IS on the 70-300 in practice (i.e. is it an issue if I go for the older IS 100-400)?</li>

<li>Is the 70-300 sufficient better image quality to sacrifice the reach?</li>

<li>If the 70-300 doesn't come with a tripod collar is it going to be a non starter e.g. on a monopod?</li>

<li>Any other considerations?</li>

</ul>

<p>Thanks for all your help!</p>

<p>My sister is in Chile and I took some photos that I'd like to print out for her (ideally in a photobook but plain prints would do if not) except I am in the UK: posting goods from here to there takes literally weeks, is costly and is subject to high import taxes. Therefore I have been looking for a lab/company in Chile to whom I can upload the jpegs who will fulfil and deliver the order, but to no avail on Google (maybe I'm asking Google the wrong questions?), so has anyone any suggestions of labs?<br>

Thanks!</p>

http://www.pentax.co.uk/_uk/photo/lenses/index.php?lenses&gruppe=203&artikel_nr=21550

is pretty tiny

Go for rectangular filters, avoid the Cokin Grey Grads as they aren't neutral (to be fair they don't claim to be). Lee make good ND grad filters, another option is from www.formatt.co.uk

As for instructions, I've yet to find a good guide. For instance when to use a soft or hard grad, particularly how focal length and f-stop influence this choice? As for alignment, using the DOF preview button to stop down makes it easier to see the filter's effects. To decide what strenght (0.3/0.6/0.9 etc.) you can use a spot meter, though often it's more a feeling of what's needed.