Thanks, Andy. Was out again yesterday for a wander with some OK results which I need to have another look at. The TC definitely helps with the extra reach, with negligible, if any, impact on quality. I found myself getting too close at tones, particularly with larger butterflies like Red Admirals, but the blues seem highly vigilant so a definite advantage with them being so small.

Went to try the DFA100 WR macro with it last night but, as usual, the sight of a camera prompted the female stag beetle into evasive flight!

Andrew

Thank you, Karlo. Out again today so have even more!

Thank you! The acquisition of the DA*300 was worth every penny - not just for the breathtaking quality of the images it is capable of producing, but for reigniting my passion for both photography and nature.

I'm persevering with the learning curve with the butterflies and insects - still pleased with the results and really enjoying using the DA*300 now with the Pentax teleconverter. Losing a stop makes it a bit more challenging with movement/shutter speed, but practice is enjoyable. A few of the results below with more on Flickr here

1. Speckled wood on leaf litter



2. Yellow-winged darter (f)



3. Common blue on creeping thistle



4. Common blue and hoverfly



5. Common blue



6. Comma



7. Common blue



Comments gratefully received as always & thanks for looking.

Thank you, John!

Exactly the sort of feedback that is welcome & needed.. Some did appear sharper than others, with real 'pop' - will concentrate on that when out again (soon!). Thank you!

Having invested in the DA*300 I have been delighted with the results it can achieve coupled with my K5iiS. I spent some time in Norfolk recently spotting insects and largely butterflies and trying to get the best out of the lens. Not sure if I achieved that, but I was really pleased (again!) with the photos and the level of detail the lens captures. A few to browse below - more on Flickr here

1. Small skipper



2. Buff-tailed bumblebee



3. Honeybee



4. Peacock



5. Comma



6. Linnet



7. Tree Sparrow



8. Bee on bramble



The only 'editing' is that the images have been resized (using the scale function in Photoshop) allowing a little recomposition too. Apart from that these are straight out of the camera. This single lens inspires me to get outside and take photos like no other. Recent acquisition of the x1.4 HD Teleconverter will only reinforce this I think! C&C welcome as always

So many blood moon images out there - I doubt there's another like this. Lovely image.

Ditto for the seller 🙂🙂🙂

And received! Perfectly packaged and in immaculate condition exactly as described

Thanks for a friendly and pleasant transaction, Gareth!