Sparrowhawk, Siskin, Greenfinch, Coal tit and others

Various bird images taken at Lochwinnoch RSPB during July.

Recently I bought extention tubes for my lens to allow me to photograph birds closer than my lens will allow, and that is 3.5 metres for my Canon 400mm f5.6 L. I bought Opteka extention tubes which were the cheapest (no glass just electronics) and they worked perfectly on my 5d MKII but failed to function properly on my 50d e'g auto focus failed and I had to constanly re-insert the battery to regain auto-focus. I sent them back and ordered the Kenko set which worked perfectly on both my cameras. A few examples can be seen in these images, the first shot of the Blue tit is just shaved at the top, no more wasted pixels due to cropping now. There is one dissadvantage to using them and that is you lose maximum focus distance and will vary depending on which tube is mounted. I think they are suited better for prime lenses and could also save you a fortune on a dedicated macro lens as well.

1)Blue tit (50d and 400mm)


2)Siskin (5d MKII and 400mm)


3)Chaffinches (50d and 400mm)


4)Jackdaw (5d MKII and 400mm)


5)Sparrow (50d and 400mm)


6)Chaffinch (5d MKII and 400mm)


7)Greenfinch


8)Sparrowhawk (50d and 400mm)


9)Chaffinch


10)Chaffinch


11)Greenfinch


12)Sparrow


13)Siskin


14)Sparrows in the pouring rain (5d MKII and 400mm)


15)Sparrows in the rain (5d MKII and 400mm)


16)Coaltit


17) Heron having a bath


18)Great spotted woodpecker (Juvinile)


Thanks for looking.

Some lovely shots there DJ, my faves are: 3 4 5 11 12 15 17

Do you mean tele converters instead of extension tubes by any chance?
Out of all of the superb pictures its a tough choice but I think the heron photo is about the best. It has background movement and reflection all in one photo which is why I prefer it

Bazza

Wow Sir! . Again a great set Grant

Thanks. No, I mean extension tubes, I have a tele converter as well but don't use very often.

Thanks Gordon

Great set - love the flight shots and the squabbly chaffs!

xx

Fab set Grant.

Love the sparrows on the oak branch.

Thank you both