Photographers WERE harmed in the making of this post!

[V6GTO]

I got 3 wasp stings!

Mosquito


The "Buisness" end


I got a bit too close...they attacked!


Martin.

[Paul.B]

That is not TOO close! That is just STOOPID.






As always, wonderful shots! Where do you find the time?


Paul.B

[GetCarter]

You should stay in more mate.

Fab pics. I hate wasps. I have epipen to proove.

>> Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 24th May 15:10

[sam_r]

Fantastic pictures Martin.

Can you reccomend a good Macro lens for a canon?? Just something for a beginner?

[superlightr]

wow - great images!!

[V6GTO]

sam_r said:

Fantastic pictures Martin. Can you reccomend a good Macro lens for a canon?? Just something for a beginner?

Before I recommended a lens I would say buy a set of Jessops extention tubes and a good flash. The tubes can be used with all lenses, and the flash is a must-have anyway. Jessops are reasonably priced and availible readily. I have a Canon 580EX flash gun...not cheap but I use it everyday. If you can use a flash gun properly it's invaluable.

There are 4 good Macro lenses that I can vouch for...

1)Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro (it is the one I have}
2)Canon 180mm f3.5L Macro (originally develped fo dentists-more distance to subject}
3)Sigma 105mm Macro.
4)Tamron 90mm Macro.

Martin.

[Gemm]

sam_r said:

Can you reccomend a good Macro lens for a canon?? Just something for a beginner?

If you are planning to photograph shy insects (butterflies etc) then 180mm would be a great advantage due to longer working distance, but 100mm f2.8 macro (which I also have) is one of the best lenses around for everything else.

[V6GTO]

Gemm said:

sam_r said: Can you reccomend a good Macro lens for a canon?? Just something for a beginner? If you are planning to photograph shy insects (butterflies etc) then 180mm would be a great advantage due to longer working distance, but 100mm f2.8 macro (which I also have) is one of the best lenses around for everything else.

Now tell Sam how much the 180mm costs!

Martin.

[sam_r]

it would need to be resonable - I am on a budget - (well i'm not but this ''hobby'' is getting far to expensive)!!

Go-on how much??

[Gemm]

V6GTO said:

Now tell Sam how much the 180mm costs! Martin.

Nah, you tell him.

[Mrs Fish]

I thought mosquitos were invisible... cause I can never see the feckers when they are biting me


Good pics though

[V6GTO]

Gemm said:

V6GTO said: Now tell Sam how much the 180mm costs! Martin. Nah, you tell him.

100mm is £388 and the 180 is £1019 at Warehouse Express.

The 580EX flash is £289 and the Jessops extention tubes are £74.99 for the set of three.

Martin.

[sam_r]

uummm...

Maybe I'll try macro next month lol !!

[rude girl]

Martin

How long do you spend waiting to get these shots? I know you're probably blessed because of the climate, so the critters are maybe a bit lazier, but you must still have to exercise some patience.

So what do you do, nip out for 10 mins, or half an hour, or do you have to settle down for an hour or two and wait?

[V6GTO]

rude girl said:

Martin How long do you spend waiting to get these shots? I know you're probably blessed because of the climate, so the critters are maybe a bit lazier, but you must still have to exercise some patience. So what do you do, nip out for 10 mins, or half an hour, or do you have to settle down for an hour or two and wait?

Most images are taken either on my terrace or whilst walking along the beach (I try to go every day). I would say that for every time I take an image I will have raised the camera to my eye at least ten times only for the bug to fly off. It is frustrating but...As for the bugs being lazier...you're 'avin a larf! They're all a million miles an hour, I got stung three times getting the wasp shot, and I'd got two of them before I knew what was happening! Only compensation is there are lots more bugs here than at home, and some of them are bl00dy wierd. I'm trying to get a good shot of a Humming Bird Moth at the moment...I've been hunting for three days and havn't taken a single shot!

Martin.

[UKBob]

At least you didnt have to go out painting dinosaurs with brush and mobile-slate, like our cavemen forefathers

[-DeaDLocK-]

*shudder*

Martin you nutter.

Did the stings hurt? I would not have the balls to get that close to a live wasp.

Great pics!

[Gemm]

Bees and wasps are usually pretty cool being photographed, so you must've got one particularly in a bad mood, Martin! I've done so many close-ups of them but luckily I've never been stung so far. They are normally fine unless aggravated (at least where I live).