Dragonflies and Damselflies

[AlanF]

Blue-tailed Damselfly (R7+100-400mm). It's so much less noticeable when visiting a local park to have the more discrete kit, and it does the job.

 

[Maximilian]

If it's at mfd, very low dof and that angle, it might perhaps be better to crop and just show the face and forelegs - what do you think?

Good point and good idea. Thanks, @AlanF
My idea and thought was to show the whole dragonfly, and I still like those pics as they are.
But I'll try it out and repost the different framing.

 

[Maximilian]

Blue-tailed Damselfly (R7+100-400mm). It's so much less noticeable when visiting a local park to have the more discrete kit, and it does the job.

When I see the results of the RF100-400 and knowing its MFD and that I normally start with f/8 when doing insects and flowers, I'm sure it'll be one of my first lenses, when I get into R system.
But maybe the 800 might be better for the kingfishers...

But first I'll have to see how much I can get for my kidney. Is it a good idea to sell the second one, too ...?

 

[AlanF]

When I see the results of the RF100-400 and knowing its MFD and that I normally start with f/8 when doing insects and flowers, I'm sure it'll be one of my first lenses, when I get into R system.
But maybe the 800 might be better for the kingfishers...

But first I'll have to see how much I can get for my kidney. Is it a good idea to sell the second one, too ...?

Trading in your 5DIV and EF 100-400 ii would cover the cost of an R7 + RF100-400! But, it might be a step down.

 

[Click]

A skimmer on a wooden bridge railing.
5D4, 100-400L II x1.4
@560 mm close to MFD and almost FF, tricky DOF
first @f/8
second @f/16

Remarkably thin depth of field, the focus is at the right spot on the eyes.

I like Alan's suggestion.

 

[Maximilian]

Trading in your 5DIV and EF 100-400 ii would cover the cost of an R7 + RF100-400! But, it might be a step down.

Thanks for that suggestion. But I'd take that for a step down.
Seeing the advantages of FF (for me and my variable style of photography), I'll keep waiting for a FF successor of an RP or keep saving for an R5 (or its successor ).
Whatever comes first

 

[AlanF]

Thanks for that suggestion. But I'd take that for a step down.
Seeing the advantages of FF (for me and my variable style of photography), I'll keep waiting for a FF successor of an RP or keep saving for an R5 (or its successor ).
Whatever comes first

I took out the R7/RF100-400 for difficult DIF shots, and I just couldn't get any. Today, the R5/RF100-500 worked its usual wonders and latched on to fast flying ones I could hardly keep up with. Whatever anyone says about the R7 having faster AF, my experience is the opposite - the R5 is difficult to beat.

 

[Maximilian]

I took out the R7/RF100-400 for difficult DIF shots, and I just couldn't get any. Today, the R5/RF100-500 worked its usual wonders and latched on to fast flying ones I could hardly keep up with. Whatever anyone says about the R7 having faster AF, my experience is the opposite - the R5 is difficult to beat.

And I haven't heard wonders about the R7 sensor, so this is grist to my mill
And I will continue to pursue my plan.

 

[AlanF]

@Maximilian here's what I call high cropping, from this afternoon - R5/RF100-500 and an Emperor Dragonfly in full hunting flight the other side of the lake. What can you do with it? Make some gifs with a cut of 14% of the area, or go one stage further and use just 1.1% of the area are some things.

 

[Click]

Very impressive. Excellent result.

 

[becceric]

A skimmer on a wooden bridge railing.
5D4, 100-400L II x1.4
@560 mm close to MFD and almost FF, tricky DOF
first @f/8
second @f/16

View attachment 204948View attachment 204949

These shots remind me that I just watched F-18s in the Top Gun movie. Maybe you should join their cinematography crew.

 

[Maximilian]

These shots remind me that I just watched F-18s in the Top Gun movie. Maybe you should join their cinematography crew.

Interesting thought. Can you explain, why these remind you of F-18s?

 

[Maximilian]

If it's at mfd, very low dof and that angle, it might perhaps be better to crop and just show the face and forelegs - what do you think?

This is my approach. To me the first one is not sharp enough, though the leg position is more interesting.
Did you think about an even closer framing, @AlanF?

 

[AlanF]

This is my approach. To me the first one is not sharp enough, though the leg position is more interesting.
Did you think about an even closer framing, @AlanF?

View attachment 204957View attachment 204958

No, that’s enough.

 

[Maximilian]

A series of male and female white-legged damselflies

 

[Click]

Beautiful shots, Maximilian.

 

[becceric]

Interesting thought. Can you explain, why these remind you of F-18s?

Well first, your depth of field reminded me of the visible haze noticed during the scenes taking off from aircraft carriers. Second, your great images show off the fuselage/wing similarity between nature and sleek aircraft. I really like full wing composition. The closer crops do not convey the same essence.

 

[Quirkz]

Thanks. I'll check out my ones at close distances. Stopping down is no bad thing at these close distances anyway.

Been trying to decide whether to pick up a rf10-400 due to that fantastic light weight for travel, but was very confused at some examples that weren't particularly exciting, and others that quite surprised me with how good they were - I think you've answered why - close vs far, f8 vs f9 or 11.

This thread has been great for the decision making process, thanks everyone for your wonderful images!

 

[Nemorino]

Female with filament
R5 + RF100-400
@ 1/4000, f/10, Iso 10000

 

[Maximilian]

This thread has been great for the decision making process, thanks everyone for your wonderful images!

You're welcome. Especially to participate and to post your pics
If advice is needed, please let us know.