[photo] hoverfly macro

This is the closest and sharpest I've captured a hoverfly. I
love these insects, but haven't been able to get that close to
them. Taken at close to 2:1 mag with 100mm macro lens and 68mm
extension tubes. I've been using the tubes a lot lately. To
date I had been using just the bare macro lens to get comfortable
at 1:1 shooting. Decided it's time to practise with the tubes
now.

Still testing out the Lumiquest Mini Softbox diffuser on my 430EX
flash. Here the flash is on a bracket top left of lens -
pointing almost straight ahead. I think the lighting is quite
nice in this shot. It was a little harsh in some other shots
when the flash was a little further away from the lens. The
LQ Softbox is (obviously) bigger than the Mini Softbox, and is
more forgiving with the soft light and where it's positioned.

Self-critique:
Shame the grass blade it was on was a little ratty, and that
lighter bokeh twig in bg is not in the most desirable position,
but maybe I'm being too harsh on myself. Maybe should clone out
the web under the blade? I'm trying not to process too much,
only healing sensor dust, no cropping etc. Didn't even change
the white balance for this shot.

http://piggo.com/~troy/photos.php?al...2/img_8539.jpg

Make sure you look at the larger size image to view the mystical
properties of the... yadayada

--
Troy Piggins
I always appreciate critique.

"Troy Piggins" wrote in message
...
This is the closest and sharpest I've captured a hoverfly.

http://piggo.com/~troy/photos.php?al...2/img_8539.jpg

Make sure you look at the larger size image to view the mystical
properties of the... yadayada


Awesome, Troy. Well done.

Now - where's my reversing ring gone?

--
Jeff R.

* Jeff R. wrote :
Troy Piggins wrote :

This is the closest and sharpest I've captured a hoverfly.

http://piggo.com/~troy/photos.php?al...2/img_8539.jpg

Make sure you look at the larger size image to view the mystical
properties of the... yadayada

Awesome, Troy. Well done.

Now - where's my reversing ring gone?

Thanks mate. Good to see some insects still around in Winter
here.

--
Troy Piggins
I always appreciate critique.

That is a stunner mate.

"Troy Piggins" wrote in message
...
This is the closest and sharpest I've captured a hoverfly. I
love these insects, but haven't been able to get that close to
them. Taken at close to 2:1 mag with 100mm macro lens and 68mm
extension tubes. I've been using the tubes a lot lately. To
date I had been using just the bare macro lens to get comfortable
at 1:1 shooting. Decided it's time to practise with the tubes
now.

Still testing out the Lumiquest Mini Softbox diffuser on my 430EX
flash. Here the flash is on a bracket top left of lens -
pointing almost straight ahead. I think the lighting is quite
nice in this shot. It was a little harsh in some other shots
when the flash was a little further away from the lens. The
LQ Softbox is (obviously) bigger than the Mini Softbox, and is
more forgiving with the soft light and where it's positioned.

Self-critique:
Shame the grass blade it was on was a little ratty, and that
lighter bokeh twig in bg is not in the most desirable position,
but maybe I'm being too harsh on myself. Maybe should clone out
the web under the blade? I'm trying not to process too much,
only healing sensor dust, no cropping etc. Didn't even change
the white balance for this shot.

http://piggo.com/~troy/photos.php?al...2/img_8539.jpg

Make sure you look at the larger size image to view the mystical
properties of the... yadayada

--
Troy Piggins
I always appreciate critique.

* Pete D wrote :
Troy Piggins wrote :

This is the closest and sharpest I've captured a hoverfly. I
love these insects, but haven't been able to get that close to
them. Taken at close to 2:1 mag with 100mm macro lens and 68mm
extension tubes. I've been using the tubes a lot lately. To
date I had been using just the bare macro lens to get comfortable
at 1:1 shooting. Decided it's time to practise with the tubes
now.
snip /
http://piggo.com/~troy/photos.php?al...2/img_8539.jpg

Make sure you look at the larger size image to view the mystical
properties of the... yadayada

That is a stunner mate.

Thanks Pete.

PS - I'm currently in the final negotiations of aquiring the
Canon MP-E 65 1-5x macro lens. Had my eye on it since I started
shooting macro, but been waiting for the right deal to come
along. It's a very specialised piece of glass - can't focus to
infinity, only shoots 1:1 to 5:1 range. Very sharp. Just need
to hide it from fiance until after the wedding is paid for...

--
Troy Piggins
I always appreciate critique.

Troy Piggins wrote:
This is the closest and sharpest I've captured a hoverfly. I
love these insects, but haven't been able to get that close to
them. Taken at close to 2:1 mag with 100mm macro lens and 68mm
extension tubes. I've been using the tubes a lot lately. To
date I had been using just the bare macro lens to get comfortable
at 1:1 shooting. Decided it's time to practise with the tubes
now.

snip

Troy,

Do you have the expensive tubes with the pass-through electronic
connections? If not, how do you manage DoF and exposure with the lens
always wide open?

Colin D

* Colin.D wrote :
Troy Piggins wrote:
This is the closest and sharpest I've captured a hoverfly. I
love these insects, but haven't been able to get that close to
them. Taken at close to 2:1 mag with 100mm macro lens and 68mm
extension tubes. I've been using the tubes a lot lately. To
date I had been using just the bare macro lens to get comfortable
at 1:1 shooting. Decided it's time to practise with the tubes
now.

snip

Troy,

Do you have the expensive tubes with the pass-through electronic
connections? If not, how do you manage DoF and exposure with the lens
always wide open?

G'day Colin. Not sure what your definition of "expensive tubes"
is. Mine were about AU$130 IIRC, Kenko brand. There are other
brands similar - Jessops. They do have elec connectors and allow
me to set the lens aperture. There are also expensive Canon
brand ones, but the Kenko ones do fine for me.

I have read that if you have the kind that don't do that, you can
mount the lens on camera without the tubes on, set the aperture
you want, press and hold the depth of field preview button and
remove the lens while held down, mount tubes, re-mount lens and
it'll stay at the previous aperture. Never tried it, no idea if
that works.

I'd rather pay hundred bucks or so and get the ones like mine.


--
Troy Piggins
I always appreciate critique.

Troy Piggins wrote:
* Colin.D wrote :
Troy Piggins wrote:
This is the closest and sharpest I've captured a hoverfly. I
love these insects, but haven't been able to get that close to
them. Taken at close to 2:1 mag with 100mm macro lens and 68mm
extension tubes. I've been using the tubes a lot lately. To
date I had been using just the bare macro lens to get comfortable
at 1:1 shooting. Decided it's time to practise with the tubes
now.

snip

Troy,

Do you have the expensive tubes with the pass-through electronic
connections? If not, how do you manage DoF and exposure with the lens
always wide open?

G'day Colin. Not sure what your definition of "expensive tubes"
is. Mine were about AU$130 IIRC, Kenko brand. There are other
brands similar - Jessops. They do have elec connectors and allow
me to set the lens aperture. There are also expensive Canon
brand ones, but the Kenko ones do fine for me.

I have read that if you have the kind that don't do that, you can
mount the lens on camera without the tubes on, set the aperture
you want, press and hold the depth of field preview button and
remove the lens while held down, mount tubes, re-mount lens and
it'll stay at the previous aperture. Never tried it, no idea if
that works.

I'd rather pay hundred bucks or so and get the ones like mine.


Ok Troy, thanks for the info. I've seen both versions of the Kenko
tubes, with and without the pass-through electrics, and I have read
about that method of pre-setting the aperture, but I would rather be
able to set the aperture at will. Last price I saw was on TradeMe, a
Kiwi auction site, about $40 for the non-electric, and about $240 for
the good ones. I gotta do it someday!

Colin D.

Troy Piggins wrote:
This is the closest and sharpest I've captured a hoverfly. I
love these insects, but haven't been able to get that close to
them. Taken at close to 2:1 mag with 100mm macro lens and 68mm
extension tubes. I've been using the tubes a lot lately. To
date I had been using just the bare macro lens to get comfortable
at 1:1 shooting. Decided it's time to practise with the tubes
now.

http://piggo.com/~troy/photos.php?al...2/img_8539.jpg

Make sure you look at the larger size image to view the mystical
properties of the... yadayada

!! Sharp !!

Great image.

I note also the little whitish stub just ahead of the rear leg. This
little 'pendulum' vibrates in flight to act as a stabilizer. (Learned
this recently when looking up some details on mosquitoes)

Cheers,
Alan




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Troy Piggins wrote:
* Colin.D wrote :
Troy Piggins wrote:
This is the closest and sharpest I've captured a hoverfly. I
love these insects, but haven't been able to get that close to
them. Taken at close to 2:1 mag with 100mm macro lens and 68mm
extension tubes. I've been using the tubes a lot lately. To
date I had been using just the bare macro lens to get comfortable
at 1:1 shooting. Decided it's time to practise with the tubes
now.

Do you have the expensive tubes with the pass-through electronic
connections? If not, how do you manage DoF and exposure with the lens
always wide open?

G'day Colin. Not sure what your definition of "expensive tubes"
is. Mine were about AU$130 IIRC, Kenko brand. There are other
brands similar - Jessops. They do have elec connectors and allow
me to set the lens aperture. There are also expensive Canon
brand ones, but the Kenko ones do fine for me.

I have read that if you have the kind that don't do that, you can
mount the lens on camera without the tubes on, set the aperture
you want, press and hold the depth of field preview button and
remove the lens while held down, mount tubes, re-mount lens and
it'll stay at the previous aperture. Never tried it, no idea if
that works.

I'd rather pay hundred bucks or so and get the ones like mine.


I've got an old Nikon E2 (15mm) extension tube with a plunger that can
be used to open the aperture for focusing with old lenses and used to
stop down new 'G' lenses that lack an aperture ring. There's threading
on the plunger & I got some nuts & bolts to make it adjustable for the
new lenses on a bellows. The 85mm T/S lens has a similar button when
released it lets you focus wide open, pressing it stops down to what the
aperture ring says. It actually has electronics to report the aperture
but metering needs to be done stopped down & untilted. Not as tough as
it sounds, actually.

BTW, I've enjoyed you macro shots & thanks for the technical background.
This hoverfly: I'm not fond of black backgrounds, otherwise I like!

--
Paul Furman
www.edgehill.net
www.baynatives.com

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