Butterflies at Nat History Museum (Sig 150)

[johnaalex]

I went along to the special exhibition at the National History Museum this morning. I think it was well worth the entrance fee (5 quid plus 1.50 booking fee). They sell tickets against a time slot but once you are inside you can stay as long as you like. I got a ticket for the 10.00am slot, the first of the day, and spent about an hour and half there. It is hot and humid so you have to wait for your lenses to de-mist. There is a maze as part of the exhibit, but you can skip that if you want (I did). The other advantage about getting there before 10.00am on a Sunday morning is that there is plenty of free parking in the streets by the museum. Of course if you do not want to drive, South Kensington tube station is right by the museum as well. The exhibition goes on until mid-August.

BTW - when I got out I soaking wet from sweat.

They do not allow flash photography so you really need a sunny day as sunlight is the main source of light. I opted for ISO800 but even then I could have done with more light as f2.8 is quite often too shallow a DoF.

Anyway, here are some of my better shots taken using my Sigma 150mm and D300. There are a loads more on my flickr site HERE

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

8)

9)

10)

11)

12)

13)

14)

15) One of the front of the museum taken with the Nikon 50mm 1.4

Click on any picture for a larger version.

[Mike.P®]

Originally Posted by johnaalex

Anyway, here are some of my better shots taken using my Sigma 150mm

Grrrr, looks like a good lens

All excellent shots although 2,4, 10 and 12 are my favourites.

[johnaalex]

Originally Posted by Mike.P®

Grrrr, looks like a good lens

I hear there's a Pentax version coming soon

Originally Posted by Mike.P®

All excellent shots although 2,4, 10 and 12 are my favourites.

Thanks Mike - if nothing else today I have had some very good reminders of how hard macro work can be

[dazza74]

Great stuff John, #12 is my favourite I like the composition and the colours.

[johnaalex]

Originally Posted by dazza74

Great stuff John, #12 is my favourite I like the composition and the colours.

That was a "1 in 10" shot in that 9 other attempts were deleted

[Holowlegs]

Hello there


A very nice set John

Some great colours there, do like #9.

You done well with the tricky conditions.


Cheers Holo

[johnaalex]

Originally Posted by Holowlegs

Hello there


A very nice set John

Some great colours there, do like #9.

You done well with the tricky conditions.


Cheers Holo

Thanks - it is weird looking critter. You should get down there, I am sure your daughter would love it.

[denno75uk]

#5 and #9 stand out for me, just because they are a bit more interesting. But as a set, they are excellent. I like them all. Very sharp and bright with some lovely colours. Really impressive.