Taronga through a Macro

[aim54x]

These were captured over the course of a two recent trips to Taronga. All of these were captured using Macro lenses (Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8, Sigma APO EX DG 180mm f/3.5, Nikkor AF-S VR 105mm f/2..

Playful, he certainly didnt mind the grey, wet weather - 90mm, I struggled with the white balance and ended up taking a grey point reading in CNX2


Stretching, this guy kept stretching as if to take off but just sat there - 180mm SOOC through mesh


Eastern Water Dragon (I'm pretty sure but he was a bit small) - 105mm SOOC


Curious - 105mm SOOC, I have missed the focus, but was wondering what everyone thought, suggestions on this one are greatly appreciated. If I can find the time I will definitely head back to reshoot


Cute and inquistive - 105mm, once again grey point calculation for WB, couldnt find a WB that I was happy with either.

[Geoff M]

The first of the seal is cool, you must have been fairly close using a 90mm.

The second has been well executed through mesh, but overall does nothing for me.

Of the two tiger shots I prefer the last although it would be improved if the grass was not obstructing the lower portion of the head.

You have done very well using just macro lenses, I have just purchased a Nikon AFS 105 VR micro, can't wait for it to arrive!

[chrisk]

the seal shot is fantastic mate

[stubbsy]

Cameron

#1 by a country mile. Colours are spot on, eye contact is awesome and that's one cute seal.

#2 does nothing for me either (my first thought was you'd uses a PSCS canvas filter until I read the commentary).

#4 is the best of the tiger, but the grass is a distraction. colours look out a little too the cub seems a little too high in the reds and the green looks a little too cyan and not enough yellow if that makes sense.

[Matt. K]

All excellent and showing off the capabilities of the lenses you used....except for #2...the bokeh is bloody awful!

[the foto fanatic]

#1 is an absolute cracker!

[aim54x]

The first of the seal is cool, you must have been fairly close using a 90mm.

The second has been well executed through mesh, but overall does nothing for me.

Of the two tiger shots I prefer the last although it would be improved if the grass was not obstructing the lower portion of the head.

You have done very well using just macro lenses, I have just purchased a Nikon AFS 105 VR micro, can't wait for it to arrive!

Thanks Geoff, the seal shot was through the viewing window down at the lower entrance to the zoo, he seemed to want to pose for me that day so the 90mm was perfect. I will def go and reshoot the tiger cubs, but unfortunately the grass was long and the cub quite small. You will enjoy the 105VR it is a cracker of a lens, I couldnt pass it up when it came through work at such a good price (mine is a very nice quality 2nd hand unit, made in Japan) even though I had decided to drop it off the wishlist when I obtained the Tamron 90mm.

the seal shot is fantastic mate

Thanks Chris

#1 by a country mile. Colours are spot on, eye contact is awesome and that's one cute seal.

#2 does nothing for me either (my first thought was you'd uses a PSCS canvas filter until I read the commentary).

#4 is the best of the tiger, but the grass is a distraction. colours look out a little too the cub seems a little too high in the reds and the green looks a little too cyan and not enough yellow if that makes sense.

Thanks Peter, I personally thought the colours were slightly cool, but then again I have been staring at it trying to get "right" for too long. As for #2, now that you mention it...it does look like a canvas filter I will have another play with the white balance/colour balance on the 2nd tiger cub image...but for now I think I have to move away from that image and come back.

All excellent and showing off the capabilities of the lenses you used....except for #2...the bokeh is bloody awful!

Thanks Matt, I will have to go and shoot some with the other macro lenses in the kit (Sony SAL 30mm f/2.8, Micro Nikkor AF-D 60mm f/2.8, SP 90mm f/2.5 Adaptall-2 - if it can be rebuilt). But yes #2 has awful bokeh....bloody Stigma lens!

#1 is an absolute cracker!

Thanks Trevor

[zafra52]

3, 1 & 4 are my favourite pictures.
2 is well done considering your circumstances,
but the the subject needs to be larger to be
in the same category as the others. On the whole
I thing you've done very well out of one session.