16 PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BIRD-LOVERS. 



in the outfit, a stand and a reflex, it does not follow 

 that there need be two lenses. One of superlative 

 quality is far better than two of poorer make, 

 for the former can be used for both cameras as 

 required, and it is but seldom that we should wish 

 to operate the two at once. Its focal length should 

 be about fifty per cent, greater than that ordinarily 

 allotted to the size of plate on which it is to be 

 used, and of course it should be as rapid as ever 

 possible consistent with fine definition. 



I am not enamoured with the working of the 

 telephoto lenses, nor with much of the work pro- 

 duced by them ; it is too often lacking in quality. 

 Undoubtedly, however, one of low power is useful 

 and may be included in the outfit as a luxury, 

 but their lack of speed much curtails their useful- 

 ness, and except when stopped-down their 

 definition is generally faulty. It is better to secure 

 a small image sharply defined than a larger one 

 of poor definition. 



The Tripod. 



The legs or tripod should be especially stout and 

 rigid, anything in the way of flimsiness is out of 

 the question here. The metal expanding type 

 is wholly unsuitable ; strong ash legs are best, 

 and in these the bottom draw-out portion should 

 work very loosely until screwed up, otherwise 

 after immersion in a river or lake or long exposure 



