Old camera outing


I have an old DSLR - a Canon 400D - that must be getting on for 12 years old now. At the time of purchase I also obtained a Canon 60mm macro lens - mainly for taking photos of moths at rest. For a while I studiously set the camera up on a tripod, used a remote control thingy and made sure that the depth of field and light was good enough to obtain passable results of the said resting moths. And then I got lazy...

My compact Panasonic camera could take excellent shots with minimal fuss, so I just used that - no setting up, no trial and error, just click and move on. A bit soulless though.


The other day I dusted down the old gear and took it out into the field at Box Hill. Pointed the 60mm at a few plants. Shown here are Sainfoin (top and middle) and Common Milkwort (bottom). Was quite pleased with the results. Of course depth of field is an issue (they were taken with an automatic setting) but in some ways it is quite effective having all but a focus point 'blurry'. I'm trying to convince myself that I really need a 100mm macro. The trouble with the 60mm is that you need to get very close to the subject, which isn't always workable if the subject can fly away (i.e. a butterfly or insect). Can I justify the expense? I already have some relatively expensive lenses that have just gathered dust (not literally!!) in the camera bag over the years, so I do wonder if it might just hide and join them if I did go out and get one.


Comments

Derek Faulkner said…
They're photos that would satisfy me Steve, but no doubt there are many "experts" out there that will tell you different.
4 June 2016 at 19:18
Steve Gale said…
And not just experts Derek...
4 June 2016 at 21:36
Simon Douglas Thompson said…
Perfectly good shots. My bridge doesn't take great macro shots
4 June 2016 at 22:58
Billy Dykes said…
The Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro was the best lens I ever put on a DSLR. You can find it on eBay for less than £150 nowadays. Highly recommended!
4 June 2016 at 23:19
Steve Gale said…
Simon, my bridge is no match for my compact camera when it comes to macro capabilities.
5 June 2016 at 08:36
Steve Gale said…
Thanks for the recommendation Bill!
5 June 2016 at 08:37
Dylan Wrathall said…
Steve,
Photos are a nice to have, not a must have, in our "blogging" lives. The quality of said image is always able to be improved (commented ?) upon due to the speed of technological advances. I also use an EOS 400d - perfectly adequate for my requirements, but not "the best". If the acquisition of a new lens is able to enhance your outdoor enjoyment, then why not? We're only here once, so make the most of it! - Take care - Dyl
5 June 2016 at 13:13
Derek Faulkner said…
What's a bridge?
5 June 2016 at 19:12
Dylan Wrathall said…
Something you use to cross a river? - just an observation, not an answer - Dyl
5 June 2016 at 21:36
Steve Gale said…
Nice one Dyl.... by the way Derek, a bridge camera is, simply put, a cross between a compact and a SLR, but you don't change any lenses (that is VERY simply put!)
5 June 2016 at 21:46
Stewart said…
Steve, I am thinking about a macro lens too. I am inspired by the photos of Iain Cowe, a butterfly recorder from Berwickshire who uses simple gear - a Canon 750D and a Sigma 105mm macro. His photos cant be betters in my opinion. Search for him on facebook etc and check them out....
11 June 2016 at 16:45
Steve Gale said…
Thanks Stewart, will do!
13 June 2016 at 17:34
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