[Itsed65]

^^Very nice Mark. Super sharp and colors that really pop.

[M_Six]

Thanks. After some initial issues I think I'm warming to it. Just needs some fine tuning and the USB dock works well for that.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I got one today as well, DC.

The yellow flowers set if off nicely.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

You know, if you have to work on Sunday, I could think of worse jobs...

I grew up on the St. John's river in Florida, watching these guys go by almost every day and dreaming that that might not be so bad.

Besides the 50-cal on front, they have a couple of boats at Mayport with rockets mounted on back, to protect the carriers and other naval ships when they come into port. Don't dare try to get too close.

Dave

[Itsed65]

Perched at the Park and Ride by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[Weebl]

"Dude, got any mice in that thing?" Excellent!

[M_Six]

Very nice. 700mm is sweet, no? I have lens envy.

[ddk632]

Yacht Parking by ddk632, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Very nice. 700mm is sweet, no? I have lens envy.

I have boat envy after seeing that photo above!

It is sweet, but in this case I would have been better off without the TC on it. I was too close for a change, but I knew he would bolt soon, so I took what I could, awkwardly from the driver seat while I pulled under the light post he was perched on.

I have had tons of fun with this glass since I got it, but I still really can't wait for this fall and the raptor migration season, where I can really put it to heavy use. If they finally release a 7D successor, I would love to pair it with a good 1.6 crop sensor too

[ddk632]

Miami is not a good place to visit if you have boat envy. I have it too though - on my bucket list to own a nice yacht ... one day, one day

[M_Six]

Very cool image, David. It drips money, money, money. What's that building behind the yacht? Don't tell me it's the owner's home. I feel inadequate enough as it is.

[Weebl]

You should see what Paul Allen has. That boat could be his tender.... He comes to SF bay every now and then. Some of the boats that came to the Americas Cup were rather "large".

[ddk632]

The building is a condo/hotel tower in Miami. This shot was taken just south of Downtown Miami, and that yacht is docked in what is effectively the Miami River.

Not sure what the name of that building is, but behind the yacht is a restaurant. Very cool area.

I don't know who Paul Allen is , but in Bay Area I am sure there are mega-yachts, just like there are in Los Angeles.

The boat I took the photo of isn't one of the landmark yachts in the area, not even close. It's just a small yacht compared to what this area has to offer. I've seen some insane boats (that also make this one look like a dinghy) parked in front of houses down here.... (now to get some photos of them without being arrested for stalking, lol!)

[Weebl]

I'm sure you have heard of Microsoft? Bill Gates wasn't the only founder, Paul Allen was the other.
Very few large yachts in the bay, if any. No showboating here

[ddk632]

Gotcha. Kind of embarrassing considering my profession as a Microsoft stack programmer I'm sure I knew at one point though.

Miami is all showboating!

[Weebl]

Probably the location, cold and rough water up here.

[M_Six]

Pipevine Swallowtail takes flight.


Grand Prairie Butterfly Club by Mark J Photography, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Nice one Mark.

I haven't been able to get a butterfly or dragonfly to sit still for me yet.

Dave

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Nice one Mark.

I haven't been able to get a butterfly or dragonfly to sit still for me yet.

Dave

Thanks, Dave.

I have found the super teles work best for bug hunting. Most of these images are taken from 20-30 feet away and are major crops. In several cases, 100% crops. The folks who came out with macro lenses were largely frustrated because their proximity scared the targets away. One of our group saw me with my 400 5.6 on the last trip and came out with his 100-400 this trip. He had much better success.

[Weebl]

Mark,
Go big or go home. Both of them came out great.
I just like watching them "flop" around. Never took too many pics of them.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Thanks, Dave.

I have found the super teles work best for bug hunting. Most of these images are taken from 20-30 feet away and are major crops. In several cases, 100% crops. The folks who came out with macro lenses were largely frustrated because their proximity scared the targets away. One of our group saw me with my 400 5.6 on the last trip and came out with his 100-400 this trip. He had much better success.

Preaching to the choir.

I use my 500mm with the 2.0x TC-III (which doesn't change the minimum focus distance). When I'm really focused on bug chasing, I add a 25mm Extension Tube to reduce the focus distance. With 1000mm and an ET, you can get in the 10 to 12-foot range and fill the viewfinder with a butterfly.

An important factor when comparing to similar lenses, like the 400/f5.6 and the 100-400mm, is the minimum focus distance at 400mm. The shorter, the better. Next, will it accept an ET and/or a TC? When you get all those elements together, you're really cooking, with luxurious working distances, combined with great magnification.

Dave

[dcstep]

Here's a butterfly shot from last year, taken with a 700mm setup and no Extension Tube. Only about a 10% crop.

Swallowtail on milkweed by dcstep, on Flickr