Dragonflies

[Naughty Nigel]

We visited Wallington House (NT) in Northumberland on Friday, and saw some Dragonflies around one of the lakes. They don't stay still for very long, but with a little patience I was able to capture some of them on my new E5. I must admit I was quite stunned by the quality and detail of the images when I saw them on the camera's preview screen, and I am just as pleased now that I have seen them on the computer screen. The 'bookeh' provided by this lens is also as it should be (according to this week's AP), even when magnified.

As you will gather, I have very little experience of this type of photography, but I am just amazed by the detail that the E5 and 50 ~ 200 lens has captured. It would be nice to see the entire Dragonfly in focus, but the depth of field at this focal length and distance is very shallow, and stopping down beyond f5.6 would have resulted in too slow a shutter speed. I suppose I could have boosted the ISO setting, but I would rather retain maximum quality.

These images are unadjusted other than cropping and mild sharpening in Photoshop.










(Olympus E5 with 50 ~ 200 mm lens)

[Danny]

Re: Dragonflies

These are damsel file nit dragons, but a levely clear series of a hits none the less! The e5 really comes into it's own in the macro world, pulls loads of detail and is pin sharp. Very enjoyable set.

[PeterBirder]

Re: Dragonflies

A very nice set of shots Nigel.

No 3 is the best but No 2 enables me to see the marking on the first segment of the tail (behind the abdomen) which shows that it is an Azure Damselfly. Damselflies all sit with their wings parallel to their tails whilst Dragonflies sit with their wings extended.
DOF is allways a problem with these but I think with that lovely e-5 you have you should be quite safe to stop down and use a higher ISO without any problems. I regularly use ISO 400 for wildlife shots with my e-600 without any problems.

Thanks for sharing.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Dragonflies

CRIKEY ! grotty jpegs with CLARITY as THIS ! STUNNINGLY AWESOME SHOTS ! Thanks for sharing ... must get 50-200 lens on ... Thanks for sharing

[Greytop]

Re: Dragonflies

Super Damsel series Nigel, thanks for sharing
I agree that it is certainly a challenge to get the whole creature in focus, it tends to be a combination of stopping down and changing your view point to achieve the best result.
As Peter says I wouldn't worry too much about sticking to low ISO, try using auto ISO which will enable you to maintain a decent exposure time while allowing you the flexibility to stop down, the E-5 is quite capable of producing low noise images at higher ISO settings

[David Morison]

Re: Dragonflies

Very nice images of a species I have seen little of this year. Well done!

David

[Danny]

Re: Dragonflies

These are damsel file nit dragons, but a levely clear series of a hits none the less! The e5 really comes into it's own in the macro world, pulls loads of detail and is pin sharp. Very enjoyable set.

Can't you tell I typed that on the iPad. Bet you got what I meant though!

[Naughty Nigel]

Re: Dragonflies

Thank you all for your kind comments.

I bought the 50 ~ 200 mm zoom several years ago, shorly after buying the E1, but somehow haven't used it a lot. However, when I saw my Damsel Fly images on Friday, and with my limited experience of wildlife photography I was so taken aback that I felt I needed to share them with someone! This is one amazing piece of glass!

I was unsure about buying the E5, but somehow I think I will be having a lot of fun with it, and will be posting images here rather more often in the future.

Oh; and thank you all for pointing out that these creatures were indeed Damsel Flies, rather than Dragon Flies. I did say I didn't know much about the subect!

[Wee man]

Re: Dragonflies

Some lovely shots I still feel an E5 coming on.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Dragonflies

Thank you all for your kind comments.

I bought the 50 ~ 200 mm zoom several years ago, shorly after buying the E1, but somehow haven't used it a lot. However, when I saw my Damsel Fly images on Friday, and with my limited experience of wildlife photography I was so taken aback that I felt I needed to share them with someone! This is one amazing piece of glass!

I was unsure about buying the E5, but somehow I think I will be having a lot of fun with it, and will be posting images here rather more often in the future.

Oh; and thank you all for pointing out that these creatures were indeed Damsel Flies, rather than Dragon Flies. I did say I didn't know much about the subect!

Nigel its not just the camera and the lens - you have the "EYES" for a good shot and these are truly GREAT - must try to get some Damsel & Dragons with my E-5 !

[Naughty Nigel]

Re: Dragonflies

You are very kind Chevvy.

I enjoy many different types of photography, but of them all, seascapes are probably my favourites. After our visit to Wallington we drove to the coast for a 'plodge', (a north-eastern term for walking in the sea), and then walked north towards the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle.

It was a bit late in the day, and the sun wasn't really quite I wanted it, so I plan to return earlier in the day during the autum, when the sun is lower, and the old castle is better illuminated by the sun. I would also like to go when the sea is a little rougher, as I love the catch the waves breaking on the rocks.

[Floribunda]

Re: Dragonflies

Hi Nigel
Having sat for literally hours trying to capture these little critters, I understand the patience you must have had to get these great shots.
#3 for me - I love the line of the damsel on the leaf & as others have said it is so hard to get the whole fly in focus.
Great shots.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Dragonflies

OOOh Nigel that castle, with the low sunset and golden yellow/peachy orange glow of an Autumn Sunset ... YES! ... I AM WAITING FOR THE SHOT !

[Naughty Nigel]

Re: Dragonflies

I cannot guarantee the 'peachy' skies but I will try my best. 'Rugged' is more my style!

In the meantime you might like this seascape that I captured on the E1 a few years ago. I didn't have much choice in the lighting department as it was late afternoon, and I was due to catch a ferry home a few hours after this shot was taken; but the fast moving clouds were providing shafts of sunlight, which with timing could highlight areas of interest. I particularly liked the way the weak autumn sun lit up the headland here, almost like a modelling light, and managed to combine this with some sea spray in the foreground.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Dragonflies

Nice and Rugged ! Strangely enough I like Stormy skies as much as peachy sunsets