[johnaalex]

Armed with my D300, Sigma 120-300 2.8 and a packet of cheap cashew nuts from Tesco (other brands are available and no doubt just as effective) I went to Gunnersbury Park to try and get some nice shots of the local squirrels. This fellow was more than happy with the cashews and even though he was in an area shaded by the bushes I am happy with these shot at ISO800.

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

Click on a pic for a larger version.

[onefivenine]

Pretty good exposures, did you use flash?
#2 is my pick, I like the clandestine 'behind the leaves' feel.

[johnaalex]

Originally Posted by onefivenine

Pretty good exposures, did you use flash?
#2 is my pick, I like the clandestine 'behind the leaves' feel.

Thanks - no flash was used, I must admit I did not expect such good results from the available light. The lens and camera deserve all the credit.

[psenior1]

I like them all, especially the #3, I think because he's more facing the camera...

[Mike.P®]

Nice shots but I think they would probably be just as happy with other varieties of nut as well. Maybe you were expecting them to do more with cashews?

I think that holiday in Monaco and seeing how the other half live has given you illusions of grandeur, either that or you are totally nuts

[johnaalex]

Originally Posted by Mike.P®

I think that holiday in Monaco and seeing how the other half live has given you illusions of grandeur, either that or you are totally nuts

And to think I was worried about you and your lack of postings

[amgard]

Excellent shots
wish mine was tame - I had to shoot him through a double-glazed door

(sorry about the hijack)

[johnaalex]

Originally Posted by amgard

(sorry about the hijack)

That's OK, but your boy has a bit of a shabby tail

[amgard]

Originally Posted by johnaalex

That's OK, but your boy has a bit of a shabby tail

Yeah - he'd just been threatn'n the pigeons with it to get them off the table

[ryanyboy]

John - great bunch of pictures there. I particularly like the excellent focus on the animals head. Really sharp - great job. Judging by the overall sharpness I would say you had a large aperture - I guess it was the max F/2.8?

Whatever, well done.

Cheers

Ryan

[johnaalex]

Originally Posted by ryanyboy

John - great bunch of pictures there. I particularly like the excellent focus on the animals head. Really sharp - great job. Judging by the overall sharpness I would say you had a large aperture - I guess it was the max F/2.8?

Whatever, well done.

Cheers

Ryan

Thanks Ryan - yes, I was shooting with lens wide open at 2.8.

[SprocketRocket]

I caught a squirrel tonight too.... he he is eyeing up his dinner source (nothing as posh as tesco cashews in Lambeth I'm afraid...

and here he is being scared of me

also sorry for hijacking your thread but it seemed on theme.

[julian_fraser]

Love the inquisitive pose in #4 of the first set.

Great shots, liking the quality at ISO800 too

[denno75uk]

They are tricky buggers to capture, aren't they? Respect to johnalex and amgard for getting such sharp results.
I got this one in a tree yesterday. It's dark, and not very sharp, but I like the pose.

[mib150]

Took this with my Nokia 6300 phone, quite pleased with it really! - Shame the face isn't a little sharper.

[scotty94]

I must get out and shoot (not literally) these little critters, we have a park a few miles away where we used to take the kids, and the squirrels there would climb up you to get nuts etc, forgot all about it until seeing this...another shooting opportunity to add to the list.

Great shots all btw

[dave_bass5]

This was the last one i shot. Just taking my son to nursery when we saw this jump up on to the bin.
I must say there seems to be a lot around at the moment.

[gpa]

Great pics I've just put my 100-300mm up for sale as I am am moving over to the siggy 120-300mm. How do you find it handling wise ?

[johnaalex]

Originally Posted by gpa

Great pics I've just put my 100-300mm up for sale as I am am moving over to the siggy 120-300mm. How do you find it handling wise ?

You should ask Holowlegs - I am sure he can tell you how clumsey I was with the monopod, 120-300, D300 and bag with other lenses and TCs when we went to the London Wetlands Centre . To be honest it does take a bit of getting used to, I do think a monpod is a minimum for any periods of sustained use and get a good strap for your camera. Once you have got over the weight I find the handling OK, the zoom is not slack and I have had no problems with lens creep (as opposed to the 18-200VR). The upside is that the results are more often than not worth the effort.

[gpa]

Thanks John, I know exactly what you mean about weight, with my D300, battery pack, sigma 100-300mm, flash etc etc I feel like I need to do some weight training LOL.

Been out for an hour today (post some pics up later) and played with my sigma and a 2x converter. I feel I am still missing some reach even at 600mm, however more importantly I really do need to look at a fast lens as shooting high ISO and F8 min is just not cutting it. My only concern is whether to go for a prime or the 120-300mm. The beauty of the 120-300 is that it gives me some flexibility.

Cheers

[johnaalex]

Originally Posted by gpa

Been out for an hour today (post some pics up later) and played with my sigma and a 2x converter. I feel I am still missing some reach even at 600mm, however more importantly I really do need to look at a fast lens as shooting high ISO and F8 min is just not cutting it. My only concern is whether to go for a prime or the 120-300mm. The beauty of the 120-300 is that it gives me some flexibility.

Cheers

I guess we will always want something longer Remember with the crop effect on the D300 you are shooting with an effective 900mm. To get much more becomes very expensive

[gpa]

Originally Posted by johnaalex

I guess we will always want something longer Remember with the crop effect on the D300 you are shooting with an effective 900mm. To get much more becomes very expensive

Yep I know, the siggy 120-300 takes a great pic as I can see here, have you tried it with either a 1.4 or 2x converter ?