A fine start to spring

[James G]

I bought a set of extension tubes over the winter. I've never used them before and today I started finding out how to use them ...
We have been having a warm and sunny spell and with clear skies. (14C which is pretty good for this time of year.)

The bees were in overdrive around some crocuses in the garden...

#1 Flight



#2 Foraging (1)



#3 Foraging (2)



#4 Foraging (3)



#5 Foraging (4)



#6 Cytisus Buds





Captured handheld using a Canon 7Dmk2 with a Sigma 17-70mm lens and a 21mm extension tube.
C&C welcome.

[Geoff F]

Bees can be so difficult to photograph so you have done well, particularly with such a small lens.

Looks like 3 different species there.

[IzzieK]

#1 did nothing for me, James as it looks like another bee...but the succession of foraging shots are really all brilliant with the petals clearly outlines and the bees showing how busy they really are with the nectars all over their bodies. Kool shots.

[vaez]

all image very nice and well done and i lovely 3 4 5 6

[James G]

Geoff, Izzie, Vaez, thankyou.

Izzie, It's interesting the preferences we have for images. My favourite is the bee in flight... mostly because I did not think I would be able to get a focus lock. It's pretty difficult without the addition of the extension tube. That said I agree the foraging series are more dynamic and vibrant.

[IzzieK]

I understand James...I would have been happy with it too had it been my shot, but I have to exclude it from my choice because the rest of the foraging series are really that brilliant.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Stagecoach]

Good series James. You had some pretty harsh light to deal with but at least it helps with the speed you can use.

The bee in flight is something I would love to achieve.

[GBO25]

So close and sharp. Well done. My experience with extension tubes showed me there is very little DoF and therefore room for even the tiniest movement when using them. Well done.

[Barbara Ponder]

Cool shots! Extension tubes is something I have my eye on as purchase in the near future. Your shots make me want to make it even nearer

[James G]

Grahame, Grahame and Barbara, thanks for your feedback.

Grahame...catching insects in flight is a something I keep trying and mostly fail at. It's one of those 'benchmark' things that I feel if I could be more successful at, I'd somehow be a better (nature) photographer. One always lives in hope of some improvement

Barbara, I purchased a relatively cheap set, because I was not sure about them as a potential field tool. On the basis of this shoot, I'm happy with the results. But.....
The build quality of my set is plastic and metal, which, having examined closely makes me a bit nervous. The back plate that connects to the camera is metal, but this is held in place to a plastic body tube. I dissembled it (can't help myself !), and was not very impressed with the fixings. (tiny screws directly into the plastic).
It all seems sound, but I am not comfortable attaching some of my other lenses which are somewhat heavier.
I think I will be looking for a more robust metal tube set.

James