Probably, but you do wonder just how much it saves per lens.

Dan

Where did you get the card from? Was it new? From ebay? Have you ever formatted it?

Dan

I bet that saved all of 0.1 grams! Does make you wonder why it's missing.

Dan

Barely awake though!

The problem with long focal lengths and extension tubes is that you need proportionally longer extension to get the same magnification as you would with shorter focal lengths. That's not such a problem if using bellows, but you might need quite a few extension tubes (or modified converters! ) to get the required magnification.

Dan

I've got an Pixma 4200, and always used to use the original inks, but when the cost of a full set rose to over £50, and with all of the printing being non-colour critical stuff, I decided to give compatibles a go, getting them from Hornsea Inkjets, originally through Amazon, and subsequently through their website.

The first time the big black cartridge didn't flow properly, but Hornsea advised what to do, and said if there was still a problem they'd replace it, but it was fine. Most of the printing done is my wife's college work, pages and pages of text mainly, so as long as it worked I was happy. But even the posters and gift voucher cards I print have been absolutely fine, with good colour etc, so I definitely won't be going back to originals, at least with this printer.

Dan

Bear in mind the distance you'll need to be away from the eye so that you don't just end up with a reflection of your lens. Also, think about the composition of the final images. If you're aiming for a print that just has eyeball and reflection, you'll need a magnification greater than 1:1, so you could need macro lens + extension tubes, or decent longer focal length lens and bellows.

A 50mm lens at 1:1 magnification will only be an inch or so from the eyeball, so you may struggle with that to achieve a composition that doesn't include your reflection.

Dan

I was in Cameraworld in Chelmsford today, and Nick the manager there was showing a customer a Sigma 70-300 APO lens, and stating its merits such as the better control of colour fringing over the Tamron 70-300. The lady customer (not a photographer, she was looking for a gift) asked why she should get the Sigma instead of the Tamron, as the manager of Jessops round the corner had just told her Tamron lenses are handmade.

We had a good laugh at that, but had to explain we weren't laughing at her, but at Jessops. Then had to explain how Jessops have gone downhill...

Just couldn't quite believe what we'd heard though...

Dan

Hi Pete,

So is your real question 'How do I get more people looking at my Flickr stream' or 'How do I get more people looking at my website'?

I think you need a bit more text on your own website, and make sure you include 'keywords' that people might google for (photography, wiltshire etc) in the general text. It's good that you have your blog, although I think you need a more prominent link back to your website from there, can't see one at the moment, only in one of the posts.

Make sure your web address in your signature here is actually a hyperlink - it's not at the moment.

Register yourself on a variety of website directories. If you haven't already done so, submit your website to Google here. With your web address, a search for 'peter masterman' should bring your website up on the first page, hopefully near the top, but I couldn't find you on the first three. Google 'Daniel Bridge' and I'll be at the top.

I'm on Twitter too.

I'm also on the ActivBrentwood website, and I've just registered on BT Tradespace, although I need to do a fair bit more to it before that's any use.

And there are many more sites that I've entered details on over the years, and still direct people to my site.

So as John says, it's about networking. I've found a printed leaflet in camera shops and nature reserve visitor centres has done me the world of good as far as business is concerned, so that might be an avenue to explore, if you can find the right outlets for them. Word of mouth's invaluable too - money can't buy happy customers singing your praises to anyone who'll listen. I really should get round to doing a Facebook page for my business too.

Hope that helps!

Dan

P.S. Who's Alexander Alekhine?!?

And then two come along at once...

Dan

I'd suggest trying your 100mm lens, which will make it easier to simplify your composition, and you'll be able to pick a better background. The problem with reducing the exposure and using fill flash will be that you'd end up with very dark trees and a brighter foreground, which wouldn't necessarily look any better.

Even something like a 300mm lens can be very useful with fungi:



K10D, DA*300mm, 1.5s @ f/9.5, ISO100, tripod, polariser and reflector.

Dan