When will i get a super sharp one of these I do not know.
Well this is an attempt, what do you think?
1.
2.

[heliphoto]

Well it's better than 98% of my attempts at dragonflies... they're all blurry background and no dragonflies . I agree that this one's not super sharp, but it looks like the focus is near to right on - was there a teleconverter involved? I've had 2x teleconverters give me that not-so-sharp feeling before.

It's funny, all summer, people kept posting dragonfly shots and I could go out in my back yard and watch 'em dart around, but they wouldn't land - very frustrating. Then I was out walking somewhere with my Bigma, and one landed on a rock in front of me - finally got a decent shot (and now what??? maybe try to get one in flight someday ).

Edit - wow. That's pretty good for in flight... BTW, is that film grain?

[Taff]

Hey josh, sharp eye there mate was not getting close enough with my 70-200 so i put a cheap nasty TC on it must be the cause
the second one was in flight, i just pre set focus and tried to follow him around and hoped for the best, many many shots of blurry backgrounds and noooo fly

Not film grain, but sharpening, but I liked the effect

[Jewelltrail]

Hi Taff:

Thanks for the dragonfly shots--they are some of my favorite things to shoot. But, as you learned, they are not always easy. They are constantly hunting insects for dinner, as such you see them darting this way and that all the time. But like with anything in life, patience will pay off, eventually. Hang in there and you will get even better.

[marcusyoung]

Yes it is not as sharp, Taff. My first guess was the wind to be the likely cause or the camera shake when shutter was triggered. Well you have indicated on the lens and tel converter.

Would be better with a macro lens and as you inch towards the fly, the tendency is it will allow you to capture close-up, sufficiently large enough on its head. Even when it flies off, often it comes back to almost the same spot thereafter. Quite easy to spot and hence to prepare for the next shot.

Good try though. Next shot will definitely be better, I am sure.

marcus

[Mike Cash]

Hey josh, sharp eye there mate was not getting close enough with my 70-200 so i put a cheap nasty TC on it must be the cause

You'll hate me for this.....

That's with the SMC Takumar 55/1.8.....at its minimum focus distance of 45cm. No TC, no macro, no nothing.

[Taff]

Mike

Where do you live, i have my cheesecutter ready

[Mike Cash]

I actually had to back up a bit so I could focus.

[jaab]

Gday Taff
Yep they are hard to get to sit still,mostly late in the afternoon around here.But to get them super sharp well I guess take another 100 photos.
cheers jaab

[Taff]

not bad Jaab, can u lighten it up a little?

[Isaac314]

you'll ALL hate me for this! Taken about half a year ago when i had a crap camera, took me a few hours to find one that stood still long enough for me to get 10 or so close ups...

[Mike Cash]

How come mine is so cute but yours could bluff a buzzard off a meat wagon?

[Isaac314]

Mines a damselfly

[dsport]

Hmm...it is not easy to take but also not so hard to take a good one
With luck, patience and practise you will finally get a good one.
Keep on trying and you will success

Taff, they do tend to return to the same spot. Find the spot, prefocus on it (it can help) then settle down and wait for it to return.
BTW if you try that just before dark, take a sleeping bag.