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dibbly dobbler
6,575 posts
66 months
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Kermit power said: My biggest issue is usually wind. The slightest breeze is like a hurricane through the lens.  HTH 
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Ed_P
526 posts
138 months
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"Fieldcraft" is important. Try to avoid the sun being behind you, as many bugs are off once a shadow passes over them. Don't make any sudden movements (although if you are too slow, the bug will have got bored and flown off anyway!).
The setting I use with flash are:
Camera mode: Manual
Lens: Manual focus.
Aperture: Around F11/13
Shutter speed: Set to x-sync speed - 1/200th on my old 5D, 1/250th on my 1D3
ISO: 100
At these settings, virtually all the lighting is from the flash. Use Flash Exposure Compensation to adjust. If an insect is on a pale flower for example, add +2/3 or a bit more. Need to experiment.
Another good tip is that many insects can be quite tolerant of you (if they are mating, eating or as said before, a bit chilly). If they are on a leaf for example, I would attempt to grab a part of the leaf between my left forefinger and thumb to steady it, then carefully rest the camera on my hand at about the required focus distance. Gradually move the lens into focus (it's either set to Manual focus, or with the MP-E, only offers manual focus). Once in focus, the whole setup is then secure from any movement and you can flash away.
Also, if the critter allows, snip the leaf off and take somewhere more convenient. It's often sensible to pick another leaf/flower to set up as a background. Otherwise, the background will all be black. This can look good in some cases though. A matter of taste.
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dibbly dobbler
6,575 posts
66 months
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ddarno
70 posts
61 months
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dibbly dobbler
6,575 posts
66 months
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Ed_P
526 posts
138 months
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dibbly dobbler said: Lovely series of shots dd. The long, lobed antennae on Hover Fly (1), mean this has to be a wasp or bee. Looks a bit like one of the Symmorphus Potter/Mason wasps, but I'm not sure they have been recorded in Scotland. Where you further south?
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dibbly dobbler
6,575 posts
66 months
|
Ed_P said: Lovely series of shots dd. The long, lobed antennae on Hover Fly (1), mean this has to be a wasp or bee. Looks a bit like one of the Symmorphus Potter/Mason wasps, but I'm not sure they have been recorded in Scotland. Were you further south? Busted!  Yes I am down in Bamburgh for a few days. Some amazing bugs down in the sand dunes - you would love it here. Thanks Ed 
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oobster
4,562 posts
80 months
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Those are bloody stunning Mike! Well done!
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dibbly dobbler
6,575 posts
66 months
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oobster said: Those are bloody stunning Mike! Well done! Thanks Andy Have another:  Long Exposure Head Shot by dibbly dobbler, on Flickr This guy was still alive but sitting *very* still so went for a 4 second exposure and no flash just to see how it would turn out
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5hero
2,499 posts
26 months
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You keeping the 65mm then Mike?  Cracking set mate.
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dibbly dobbler
6,575 posts
66 months
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5hero said: You keeping the 65mm then Mike? Cracking set mate. I have seen the light! How are you?
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5hero
2,499 posts
26 months
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dibbly dobbler said: I have seen the light! How are you? Good stuff Manic at work, working OT pretty much every night. No macro (or any other photos) from me recently. Grim 
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dibbly dobbler
6,575 posts
66 months
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5hero said: Good stuff Manic at work, working OT pretty much every night. No macro (or any other photos) from me recently. Grim Jings - you're doing it wrong! Get a job in IT or something easy Oh...
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5hero
2,499 posts
26 months
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You need to teach me how to be a lazy b  d. Meet up for lunch for some training?
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RobbieKB
5,344 posts
52 months
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Everyone I know who are web developers are the laziest and least busy f kers EU! You're doing something very right/wrong (delete as applicable) Neil! You building the next Google?
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5hero
2,499 posts
26 months
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RobbieKB said: Everyone I know who are web developers (bar 1) are the laziest and least busy f kers EU! You're doing something very right/wrong (delete as applicable) Neil! You building the next Google? Tell me about it Robbie, I can't sit around though. It does feel like I'm building google sometimes. Then someone from PH photo section pops up wanting a website, it's a nice wee break from financial stuff though
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dibbly dobbler
6,575 posts
66 months
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5hero said: You need to teach me how to be a lazy b d. Meet up for lunch for some training? Sounds good - am back to 'work' next week 
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5hero
2,499 posts
26 months
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I've moved office, but am back up your way next week. Will text you 
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nre
287 posts
139 months
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A few more form the garden at a more palatable magnification...  hoverfly by NRE, on Flickr  spider by NRE, on Flickr  crab spider by NRE, on Flickr Imagine the noise of the last drop of milkshake
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dibbly dobbler
6,575 posts
66 months
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These are excellent Nigel 
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