Bug odds and sods

[Lord Vetinari]

Some recent bug shots from the garden.

Brian V.

Soldier fly

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2810655948_6bee80d988_o.jpg

Heather ladybird about 4mm long

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2053/2810655966_8718382f8e_o.jpg

Cabbage white caterpillar (I think)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2808208042_31b3626142_o.jpg

Menacing woodlouse

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2805521064_f5f61c97f1_o.jpg

Flying red ant- think this is a drone

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2814665706_1304ea8488_o.jpg

Leaf hopper

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2814665712_fa8d33a9da_o.jpg

Ichneumon wasp

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2814665720_4d76496ba6_o.jpg

[cyclejoc]

Brian,

Very cool shots! Love the closeness. Thanks for sharing. :D

[GOLDENORFE]

great shots Brian. i always remember cabbage white catterpillers being more colourfull, will have to google it!
phil

[Marc Langille]

Are definitely my favorites. Beautifully done!

Brian, I am curious: what is the most difficult part about using the MP-E 65 lens? My understanding is that it has it's own set of challenges due to it's construction.

Regards,
Marc

[stevehapp]

amazing shots, brian.. :bow

[tlee]

The woodlouse looks like some sci-fi horror monster:rofl. It is my favorite--although ALL in the series are great as usual!!:bow

[Skippy]

Some recent bug shots from the garden.

Brian V.

Soldier fly
Heather ladybird about 4mm long
Cabbage white caterpillar (I think)
Menacing woodlouse
Flying red ant- think this is a drone
Leaf hopper
Ichneumon wasp


My favourites are the Woodlouse his head is shaped like a helmut,
and the Leaf Hopper...... gosh they have the weirdest shaped heads :D
... Skippy :D
.

[Lord Vetinari]

Thanks for the comments everybody :)- much appreciated.

Marc- Most of the difficulties in using an MPE-65 are just down to the magnifications. It's minimum magnification is the same as the maximum magnification of normal macro lenses (ie 1:1) but it goes onto a max magnification of 5:1
This gives inevitable problems with :-
1. Focus due to the extremely thin DOF and lack of light at higher mags
2 Light - flash is almost compulsory above about 1.5:1
3 Stability to avoid camera shake
4 Weight - my MPE-65/40D flash bracket/430Ex combo weighs in at 2.5 Kg
5 Diffraction softening due to extremely small apparent apertures at higher magnifications.
6. Very close focus distances (1.5" min to 4" max)
It is not a replacement for a normal macro lens but an addition.

Overall it takes quite a bit of getting used to and the normal advice is to play around with a normal 1:1 macro lens for at least a year before even considering an MPE-65.

Remember also you can get near the max magnification of an MPE-65 using ext tubes and reversed lens combos.

Brian V.

[BigAl]

Very nice as usual, Brian - the first time I have ever seen so much detail on a hopper! :thumb

[Lord Vetinari]

Very nice as usual, Brian - the first time I have ever seen so much detail on a hopper! :thumb

Thanks Al :)- long time no see :)
Brian v.

[Marc Langille]

Marc- Most of the difficulties in using an MPE-65 are just down to the magnifications. It's minimum magnification is the same as the maximum magnification of normal macro lenses (ie 1:1) but it goes onto a max magnification of 5:1

Overall it takes quite a bit of getting used to and the normal advice is to play around with a normal 1:1 macro lens for at least a year before even considering an MPE-65.

Remember also you can get near the max magnification of an MPE-65 using ext tubes and reversed lens combos.

Brian V.

Thank you Brian. That is quite a series of issues to contend with!! :huh

Currently I have a 200/4 macro, plus extension tubes that I've not played with very often. It's min. working distance from the front element is 11 inches, which is great. I sold my 100/2.8 because the 200/4 suits my needs much better, and I can be further away with skittish or venomous subjects.

Again, thank you for the response and I sincerely enjoy your work - your passion and technique show others what can be done in the right hands.

Regards,
Marc

[JAG]

Great work Brian. Someday I hope to have a macro lens and hopefully come close to take pics like these.:thumb

[The Curious Camel]

Awesome, everyone.

peace, gail:D

[spechtal]

wow...all wonderful...but, the woodlouse gives me the heebee jeebees...

[Lord Vetinari]

Thanks for the comments again :D - much appreciated.

Brian V.