400mm F5.6 need help

Andrew,

There are a few things you need to get under control/practice:

• Practice: Do it at home - not in the KNP!

• Support in the KNP: All you need in your car is bean bag in the window. Your wife can even make you one. Fill it with rice, mealies or plastic granules or beans. In an emergency I have even used a pillow - borrowed from the bungalow for the day.

• Engine of your car: MUST be off when you shoot - even if you drive a V8 Lexus.

• Shutterspeed: Always as high as possible

• ISO: If the light drops - do not be afraid to up the ISO. Noise you can deal with, unsharp images you chuck away.

• Shooting out of hand: Forget about it - support is what makes the difference.

• Adjusting the lens: Only go there if you know EXACTLY what you are doing.

• Focus: Set your camera up so that you can use the AFL/AEL button to focus.

• Exposure compensation (EC +): If it is a scene that is lighter, ie more white, than normal, EC +. Your LB(R) was underexposed.

• Process: You MUST find your way around your digital darkroom - as was illustrated by the poster who processed your LB(R)

• RAW/JPEG: Hope you saw the sign at Kruger gate:

DSLR Users: You are not allowed to shoot JPGs in the KNP!

• Practice: Get a stuffed bird/animal and practice in your backyard. And then: Shoot/Process/Check - Go out again - immediately - Shoot/Process/Check. Do that is bright light, subdued light, dusk, even with a flash!

• Struggling? Shout - I'm just up the road!

HTH -

--
Leo Theron, South Africa
.... see my images at http://www.pbase.com/leot