Larger aperture just means he can shoot at faster shutter speeds, but will get even less depth of field than you would shooting at f5.6.

Probably overexposed.

Definately, all lenses that are of similar focal length will give the same depth of field range


Under poor lighting conditions probably, but that applies to any larger aperture lens.

Fortunately for you you dont have to worry about large aperture lenses, you simply switch the shake reduction on and match your friends shutter speed

just coming back to second Golf's comments. deciding when to use what aperture or shutter speed all comes down to what your snapping, if you want to isolate something from the background you shoot wide if you want everything pin sharp then you shoot as high as you can, but you still have to bear in mind that prevailing light may not allow you the luxury of been able to choose its just a matter of making the best use of whats available You also have to remember that depth of field varies enormously depending on the focal length of the lens, shooting at f5.6 might get you an all over sharp image on a 18mm lens but try it at f16 on a 400mm and its a whole different ball game.

Nothing much wrong with those Nimitz, you used a large aperture and ended up with a shallow depth of field but you seem to have kept the point of focus where it should be, on the creatures heads, the cloudy sky has actually helped here, especially on the first shot as you have managed to get the exposure spot on without any burning out. I would have been pleased with that one myself

I prefer to keep my "protective" filters in place, not so much because I'm worried about knocking the front element but more for ease of cleaning, I would sooner be constantly cleaning a filter than the lens, plus out in the field I have no problems if I find myself having to clean the front of a filter with a hankerchief or my t-shirt

I haven't bought a filter for my Bigma yet and I dread having to take lens tissues to the front element.

I can always take a filter off if I come up against awkward lighting.

OK guys, forget the PM's seems a few of you have this problem, the attached should give you some idea of where to place the pin, just get the hole straight to start with and you wont end up with two holes in the door like I did Also make sure the pin is going behind the battery contacts

I used a pin vice for the drill bit but I suppose you could get away with a Dremmel (or similar) if carefull.

One other word of caution, you have to do this with the door closed in order to get the holes lined up, just DONT break the drill bit off halfway through drilling like I did or you may end up with a permanantly closed door, I was lucky as I managed to push the pin through and prise the door open

I seem to recal a couple of posts about the battery compartment door on the 360, mine has been getting steadilly worse (at staying shut) for quite a few months, Today I came up with a solution which may or may not be of use to anyone with a similar problem.

I drilled a very fine hole through the side of the flash casing and into the side of the battery compartment door, I then inserted a cut down 2inch dressmakers pin (removing the point obviously ) the pin head is large enough to get my fingernails under for removal and the pressure on the door from the batteries helps hold the pin in place.

Hey Presto, no more annoying flying open and scattering of batteries just when you need the flash.

If anyone wants and help and pics of the modification drop me a PM.

we need an emoticon for "speechless"

You Guys really should buy longer lenses, it'll improve your shots no end..........

Stained glass is no different to most other forms of subject, you need the right light if its bright and sunny you may as well forget it, just hope for a bright but slightly overcast day when the light is flat and even, that will help you avoid clear or lightly couloured glass from burning out.

It would also pay to check beforehand if tripods are allowed.

No1
Nice shot but far from perfect That dark shadow across its neck is really distracting, but keep up the good work and you'll eventually get one that really shines. I recently caught a Robin playing tug of war with a worm, unfortunately the Robin decided that he would ruin my shot by keeping his tail behind an intrusive twig, the little varmits dont really deserve all the attention we give them

PS really nice light.