AH on a weekday morning

[Zookeeper]

Went back to AH again, this time with my new toy Sigma 70-300!
Pls feel free to critique...I think I also need intensive training on how to stalk butterflies properly...

More photos at: http://www.pbase.com/cloudy26/insects

[xmen2003]

A little fuzzy. Maybe due to handshake. Can also see dust spots. Time to clean CCD..

[Zookeeper]

Yup I was handshaking like crazy...must get used to the weight of my cam! Arms still aching now...

as for the dust spots, dun scare me leh! My cam is new leh! Really got dust spots in the CCD liow??? Where huh? Can tell me? Then I can go look at the orig photos and compare whether the spots are at the same place...

Originally Posted by xmen2003 A little fuzzy. Maybe due to handshake. Can also see dust spots. Time to clean CCD..

[xmen2003]

Originally Posted by skyflash Lower left quandrant. There is a persistent black patch. Maybe not as obvious since u were using F8. But, when F11/16 .... it will be very sharp.

Skyflash is right. It can be very obvious at higher F-stops. Now already quite obvious. You change lenses often?

[Zookeeper]

oh no!! how do I get the CCD cleaned then? Send back to Nikon?
I checked back on my images liow..the speck was there in the pix taken even before I changed tothe 70-300.....think it prolly happened when the Harvey Norman staff put the kit lens for me...

can CCD cleaning by DIY? should be can, rite? otherwise everytime send back to Nikon??

[Zookeeper]

*nod nod* Going to try blowing it off right now!
*poofz to start rescue operation*
Thanks for pointing it out guys, I'd never have noticed, being the blind bat that I am!

[Papilio]

Originally Posted by Zookeeper can CCD cleaning by DIY? should be can, rite? otherwise everytime send back to Nikon??

Since your D70 is still new, it'll be better to send it back to Nikon for cleaning. Safer too, as there're always a risk of scratching the sensor doing it yourself.

As skyflash suggested, try blowing it off first. It looks like a big speck of dust.

[Digiman]

Sorry to ask such a stupid question, but where is AH? I have enjoyed all the incredible macro shots you guys took and could figure out most of the places but for the life of me, just can't figure out what AH stands for.

[Digiman]

Originally Posted by skyflash AH = Alexandra Hospital. The butterfly trail is just behind the bus-stop. A small plot of garden with many host plants -- which the butterflies are invited to have their feast.

Thanks for the info. I got a feeling it is Alexandra Hospital but just couldn't believe that you guys were shooting at a hospital!

[Robin]

Originally Posted by Zookeeper *nod nod* Going to try blowing it off right now! *poofz to start rescue operation* Thanks for pointing it out guys, I'd never have noticed, being the blind bat that I am!

Just use the mirror lockup feature and blow off with a good blower....I had a strange line when i first got my d70....after blowing off a few times.....it was gone......

[cyrilng]

The basic advice is always point your camera lens mount downwards when mounting or dismounting lenses to reduce chances of stray dust entering the cam. Same applies when you are using a blower. Try not to change lenses too often especially in dust-prone areas or conditions.

[Zookeeper]

Thanks folks! Managed to blow it off liow...and yup, held the camera pointing down...but I couldn't resist and tilted my head in that odd angle just to see how a CCD looks like! Kekekekeke

Skyflash: aiyah...not common for all hospitals to have a butterfly trail mah. I work very near SGH...it's very well-maintained but dun have butterfly trail...otherwise every morning go shoot before work liow! Digiman has reason to be surprised

[xdivider]

Originally Posted by Zookeeper Thanks folks! Managed to blow it off liow...and yup, held the camera pointing down...but I couldn't resist and tilted my head in that odd angle just to see how a CCD looks like! Kekekekeke Skyflash: aiyah...not common for all hospitals to have a butterfly trail mah. I work very near SGH...it's very well-maintained but dun have butterfly trail...otherwise every morning go shoot before work liow! Digiman has reason to be surprised

Im only one bus stop away from AH.......... Try doing ur cleaning in air con room. Less chance of dust getting in. Make full use of ur 1 yr warranty from nikon. Us S2 users have to pay fuji....... *mumble* *grumble*

[smallaperture]

Originally Posted by Zookeeper Yup I was handshaking like crazy...must get used to the weight of my cam! Arms still aching now... as for the dust spots, dun scare me leh! My cam is new leh! Really got dust spots in the CCD liow??? Where huh? Can tell me? Then I can go look at the orig photos and compare whether the spots are at the same place...

Sigma 70-300APO wonderful lens. Especially going down to 1:2 and almost 1:1 in dSLR. Me still using film. Why not try using a tongkat, the local nickname for a monopod. With that, gravity is taken care of, and you're left with only 2 degree of freedom to control - rotation about a vertical axis and horizontal sideway translation. Try one someday, and you'll be amazed by what you've been missing. And no more muscle ache liao!