zoo trip

I went to the Memphis Zoo yesterday with a local photo group, wanting to see what the limitations of my kit lens are. It was frustrating. Until I entered the butterfly enclosure where it fared much better. Any tips on getting the most out of this lens?

Butterflies and a garden spider (for the insect-o-freaks):



55mm, f 6.7, 1/60 sec




55mm, f5.6, 1/250 sec




50mm, f6.7, 1/250 sec

Nice shots, these.

I also find that my 18-55 kit lens behaves best close-in like this, not wide open (f4), or at its widest (18mm).

I think you've found the best use for it with these pictures.

It does a credible job with colours, doesn't it?

For longer range shots, I try to use Aperture Priority (AV) at at least f8, and focus manually if possible.

Cheers,

I have to say - I'm a bit amazed about the kit lens here. Very good shots. I have to dig my kit lens out of the bag now.!!

To answer you question - you will need a flash (or better 2 flashes) to get better closeup/macro shots. It will give you more light to play with - and give you the oppertunity to use f8-f16 - which suits macro work better.

The second shot lacks a bit of sharpness on the head - which would have been better with f8-f11 I recon.

Thanks for the comments and tips, I would've never guessed f8-f16 for closeup.

BTW, those garden spiders are cool creatures -- about 2 inches (sorry not in centimetREs), always sew in a zigzag in their web, and when something lands in the web the spider will bounce it like a trampoline to further ensnare its prey.

Well done my friend!,,,,,,,,,Im into macro at the moment!....as for the kit lens(18/55)..mines a cracker,every bit as good as my 16/45!.......again very well done............Ken

Lovely pictures!
Re. closeups, you know that the closer the range, the shallower the DOF. Hence the requirement for a higher f-stop to get a reasonable sharpness.

So far I only have the kit lens for general work and will have to do with its performance, which I sometimes find a little less than satisfactory. On close ranges, however, it appears to give good results, consisting with what you have found.

Try it at F22 for landscapes!.....you will be suprised!..............Ken

Lovely shots, Butterflies for me..

Curious spider. Looks venomous to me, but if it's in a zoo and accessible to the public . . . it may not be.

Harmless. And beautiful.

Spider looks like an Argiope species, rather like our Argiope bruennichi, or Wasp Spider. Can bite, but won't do you any (unless you're very unlucky) harm. Think it's an Argiope aurantia.

Dan