GAS - Lens Suggestions

[Greg Beetham]

I sort of missed this thread, I think it was happening while I was away. Birma I don't think I'd be inclined to get rid of the 50 f1.7 at all, I don't have one myself at the moment, but if I did I'm sure it'd be a keeper. Ha I see you've done the deed, (reading further), I was going too recommend against the macro lens in favour of the CZ16-80, but too late ha ha, I can see the lens is indeed very good, I'm sure you'll enjoy fooling around with it....you'll need a tube set now and maybe a 2x extender as well.
Greg

[Birma]

Nice shot, Birma.

The weather here has been terrible the last few weeks, little opportunity to shoot anything of interest. Hope your replacement lens comes through quickly.

Thanks . I hope so too. You seem to be having rotten weather - hope it clears up soon.

I sort of missed this thread, I think it was happening while I was away. Birma I don't think I'd be inclined to get rid of the 50 f1.7 at all, I don't have one myself at the moment, but if I did I'm sure it'd be a keeper. Ha I see you've done the deed, (reading further), I was going too recommend against the macro lens in favour of the CZ16-80, but too late ha ha, I can see the lens is indeed very good, I'm sure you'll enjoy fooling around with it....you'll need a tube set now and maybe a 2x extender as well.
Greg

The decision on the CZ16-80 was helped by the fact that the dealer with the really good price had run out of stock . Mmm. More GAS immediately with extension tubes and a converter . Is it worth getting AF extension tubes or will the level of magnification mean that I will be using MF anyway?

[Greg Beetham]

Actually if I use tubes for really high mag, I just rack out the extension on MF (after first getting an approximate position and alignment) on a pod, a bipod is even better, (tripod with one leg not involved) then I get the position of the bipod for a rocking back and forth motion with the heavy duty ball head friction control just loose enough so that it can move, and fire the shot when you see sharp focus on the nearest part of the bug, ant, whatever. It's the most effective use of my time and patience I've been able too discover so far, but it only works where the subject is high enough to give you enough vertical space of course. But where possible I try too employ that method at high magnification, I don't try too focus per se I just move me and the camera back and forth, the DOF is so shallow you only are talking about a rocking movement of half an inch or less. Actually I have a big old fluid head that might be useful for that as well, must try it some time. (you have to adjust your aim slightly as you rock slowly back and fourth, shift a tripod leg if necessary etc.) I also have used the Manfrotto sliding tube on occasion, it's useful (but a bit clumsy) as long as you and your subject have plenty of time.
I also have the Manfrotto magic arm, there again, can be useful, but clumsy, and not as handy as it could be if it had an easily set friction control.
Greg

[David Kilpatrick]

Birma - check your PMs.