Welcome Andrew, I agree with you there are hills in Lincs, the cathederal is stood on one for a start. Now down where I am in South Holland you have to lie on the ground to see a hill.

It may just be me but I can't see what the HDR process is adding to this shot, suppose I should see the original single layer to say that but it is not your work, in general I do not see the reason for the HDR amendment.

Have to say up to now I have not liked much of that I have seen of HDR, most seems grainy or unnatural, however I think this is good, love the colour the process has developed and the shot looks natural. I could well be converted and wonder if those I have seen have not been well done or are of unsuitable subjects. Most I have seen have been of landscape or exterior of buildings, most, particularly the landscape have left me cold.

I use the Sigma 105mm and find it find for general outdoor shots both macro and general mid distance. Sometimes wish I had 1:2 or some other means to magnify my subject but have not got my head around TC or tubes as yet.

My feeders are just infront of this hedge if you look hard at the bird in the second shot you will see he is eating a seed still in his beak.

Funny enough I was just about to ask the same question and here I am with the answer, will go take a look now, thank you.

Well it wasn't the Bigma it was the operator as I suspected here are a couple I took today and although not pin sharp the are acceptably in focus, Phew what a relief all I have to do now is learn to get the best from the lens.

Thank you everyone who offered help and advice it is appreciated and I hope now I am confident in the lens I can start to get some better shots.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Thordell/Wildlife/OneSparowinthehedge.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Thordell/Wildlife/OneSparowinthehedgewithseed.jpg[/IMG]

Thank you Don, I have a 105 macro that I think may be suitable for use with a set of tubes or perhaps TC - not made up my mind yet so seeking as much info as I can.

Very pleasing and the sort of photography I am interesting in improving in. Presuming you are using your extension tubes would be mind telling me what lens you were using with them?

Many thanks.

Hi and welcome Toyman, I am learning too and have found the forum invaluable - well lets face it we are all learing. Hope to see some of your images soon.