Post your close encounters

[Chucaro]

I am playing with the Nikon 6T close up lens fitted on the front of the Nikon 70-300VR
This technique is the closes that I can get to a Macro photography. It is a lot of fun bad very little room on the focal range :o

This is the Saunders' Case Moths, Large Bagworm - Metura elongatus (Oiketicus elongatus) the head is about 4mm diameter and the cocoon about 4cm long.

Post your macro and close up shots in this thread, it is a facinating world around us and we have to look hard on it ;)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/421.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/422.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/423.jpg

[bblaze]

must be a mechanic, look close and you can see a small (dont know size, maybe about 1mm) open end spanner just below his head
cheers
blaze

[Cap]

Looks like focal range must be around 5mm if that!

[Chucaro]

Thank you for the comments.
Blaze if the other bug have an open end spanner then this one have a long nose pliers :)
This bug is about 45 mm long.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/417.jpg

[Chucaro]

These caterpillar is about 20mm long and 2.5mm dia the head is about 2mm
I used the Nikon 70-300VR and the Nikon 6T diopter

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1487.jpg

[loanrangie]

Not a particularly great shot or even macro but this 1" long killer absolutely sent my 7 yo into a physoctic hysteria when she almost stood on it.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1426.jpg

[Chucaro]

The body of this spider is about 20mm long the image is full frame

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1399.jpg

[Bushie]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1354.jpg
Feeding



Martyn

[Chucaro]

Nice shot Martyn, which lens have you used?

[Bushie]

Nice shot Martyn, which lens have you used?

That's my Sigma 70mm macro, although I think I'm just a fraction off with where I wanted to focus


Martyn

[Chucaro]

This is not an insect but smaller than many of them.
The Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog Litoria fallax grow from 15 to 25mm long!
Very cute frog :)
I used the 70-300VR with the 6T close up lens.
I took some front view shots but if the nose is in focus, then the rest of the body it is not!! That shows how shallow is the DOF in a close up lens :eek:

Cheers

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1311.jpg

This image shows how shallow is the DOF

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1312.jpg

[Chucaro]

I think that I am pushing the limits of my lens now :angel:
This fly is about twice as big as a mozquito and 1/3 the size of the little frog.
Today was windy and not the best light so I have to take about a dozen of shots to get the fly reasonable sharp.
Two things worked against me, the light so i was unable to use high shutter speed and the DOF of the 6T lens :(
It is not way near a macro shot but it is the closer that I can take a shot with my lens.
Your comments are appreciated :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1244.jpg

[bblaze]

I love it, how did you get it to sit still
cheers
blaze

[Chucaro]

I love it, how did you get it to sit still
cheers
blaze
Blaze, this fly was jumping and moving on the leaf from one side to the other and because the basil leaf is very small the fly was close to focus all the time.
When it stoped to have something to eat I pressed the trigger.
Believe me it take time and few shots to have a keeper :)

[Chucaro]

Just for testing purposes @ 300mm. F/5.6 SS 1/100 ISO 400

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1197.jpg

[Chucaro]

What happens, no one post any images here :(

Come on, start posting !!

[Panya]

Chucaro how do you watermark your images?

[Panya]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1062-sphaerocoris.jpg

Sony DSC F505V. Fixed lens but a good camera for these sort of shots. Need to save up for the digital SLR though...
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Panya]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1064-xylocopa-caffra.jpg

I love this photo. Grainy because natural light and it was a bit dim but I love the position and the sense of motion of the wings...

[timaus13]

I was having a smoke when this little guy stopped overhead to C what I was doing so I ran inside for the trusty Nikon. He was very obliging Posed for the camera for a good 5 minutes so I got plenty of photographs of him.:D

Cheers:)

[Chucaro]

Thanks for posting, nice shots :)

Here is one from yesterday, the BG it is not the best :(

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/915.jpg

[Cap]

Looking really good, the focal point is spot on IMO and difficult with such a narrow DOF. :D

[Cap]

I was having a smoke when this little guy stopped overhead to C what I was doing so I ran inside for the trusty Nikon. He was very obliging Posed for the camera for a good 5 minutes so I got plenty of photographs of him.:D

Cheers:)

So thats what was in them burgers you offered me... :p :p

[Chucaro]

Two wasps on a grevillea flower.
The little bugger is trying to intimidate the big fellow :o
I did not used the close up lens on this shot, only the 70-300VR.
I am very impressed with this lens :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/899.jpg

[Panya]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1065-robber3.jpg
Another favourite... robber fly - I love the green and gold

[Chucaro]

Top shot! Panya very nice light and contrast of colors.
The metalic grey color of the fly is very nice as well :)
Cheers

[Panya]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1063-tachinid.jpg

[Panya]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1067-pelopidas-mathias-uns.jpg

[Chucaro]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/829.jpg

[VladTepes]

Geez some of you lot are talented !

[Cap]

Geez some of you lot are talented !

and.... got some good gear! :cool:

[Panya]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1097-lachnocnema-brimo-uns-30-november-2003-nyali-17.jpg

[Panya]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1092-cacyreus-palemon-uns.jpg

[Chucaro]

Jeremy, the top butterfly have very strange legs, which kind it is?
Very nice shots by the way.:)

[Chucaro]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/788.jpg

[Panya]

Jeremy, the top butterfly have very strange legs, which kind it is?
He is Lacnoncnema sp or a "Woolly Legs". Their larvae are carnivorous on plant feeding bugs; because these are often "farmed" by ants my suspicion would be that the excessively woolly legs may be a defence against ant attack? Just guessing but pretty cool :cool:

[Chucaro]

Thanks Jeremy, it would be interesting to capture the larva in action!:)
Can you identify the larva or are hard to spot?
I am starting to get a bit obsses with macro photography :D
I can see that a macro lens with VR and a good flash unit it is on the cards soon :angel:
I would have to move to the shed as well :D
Cheers

[Panya]

Not just about the best camera also - was lucky enough to notice this today in the garden - taken with an Olympus mju 9000 - a nice little compact digital camera that fits easily in the pocket. Also much obliged to the butterfly who hung around long enough and was pre-occupied by the ...um... delicious meal on the leaf!
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1102-p4170610.jpg

[VladTepes]

Chucaro and Panya you blokes are fantastic !

Chucaro that one above (post 35) is my favourite.

Panya in that first one you posted what's the critter on ? Look at it sideways and it kinda looks like a hairy chook's foot !

[Chucaro]

Thank you VladTepes, I appreciate your comments :)

[Chucaro]

A female Common Eggfly Butterfly - Hypolimnas bolina nerina

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/721.jpg

[Panya]

Thanks VladTepes much appreciated also. As for the plant the critter is on (called a Picasso Bug!) I don't know the plant but below a picture showing more of it:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1112-sphaerocoris-429.jpg

[Panya]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1091-axiocerces-harpax-uns.jpg

[Panya]

Ichneumonid wasp - the "sting" is an ovipositor!
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1066-red-ichneumenon-25.jpg

[bblaze]

not up to the standard of others but a toadstool never the less
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/574.jpg
cheers
blaze

[Chucaro]

Nice image and composition Blaze, keep posting mate :)

[Cap]

[B]not up to the standard of others

I know the feeling mate :angel:

[Chucaro]

There always will be there with better equipment or knowledge than us, the main thing it is persevering with what we have and have an aim to which level we like to go.
The images here are not macro, not even close to it they are close up shots which can be improved by using extention tubes in our standard lens.
If some one like to read about macro and appreciate some images HERE (http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5049058) and HERE (http://www.flickr.com/groups/mega_shots/discuss/72157594560223963/) are some good info by Syrus and others.

Our work it is not in the same league, but then again with our gear we do not pretend to clasify our photos as Macro and I doubt that the photographers in the links could do better than us with our gear.

Keep shooting and posting, it is the only way to "climb" to next level. :)

[Chucaro]

Evening Brown Butterfly - Melanitis leda bankia
Family Hymphalidae
Two images from the last 2 days in my garden :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/557.jpg


Iacchus Skipper - Trapezites iacchus
Family Hesperiidae

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/558.jpg

[Panya]

The skipper is excellent! Thanks Arthur

[Chucaro]

Golden Orb-Weaver - Nephila plumipes
Family Nephilidae (female)

http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/Golden%20Orb-Weaver-2.jpg

[Panya]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1118-tortoisebeetle.jpg

[Chucaro]

Today in our garden, fresh from the camera :D

Australian Emerald dragonfly- Hemicordulia australiae
Family Hemicorduliidae


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/339.jpg

[Chucaro]

This was a very hard shot to take!
The butterfly did not perched for a second moving the wings at high speed. The natural light was harsh so setting the camera on aperture priority was not an option.
I set the camera on shutter speed priority and focus at 9 points which means that the exposure was only on the butterfly and the back ground will be under exposed.
The result it is an effect like if a reflector is on the insect with a black BG.
The critical point it is that the flower will have some hot spots which have to be toned down on PP.
I just have done my best considering conditions and little time to set the shot. :)
Dingy Swallowtail or Small Citrus Butterfly
Papilio anactus


http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/Dingy%20Swallowtail%20or%20Small%20Citrus%20Butter fly.jpg

[Chucaro]

One from today :)
A handsome and frienfly large Black house spider


http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/Large%20Black%20House%20spider.jpg

[VladTepes]

You guys are champs ! I thought they'd all be taken from tripods as a steady hand would be needed but apparently not using a tripod . I guess there woudln;t be time anyway.

[Chucaro]

You guys are champs ! I thought they'd all be taken from tripods as a steady hand would be needed but apparently not using a tripod . I guess there woudln;t be time anyway.

Thanks mate, my shots of the Golden Orb-Weaver and the black gouse spider are using the 6T closep lens on the 70-300VR and are taken using a tripod.
Any variation of 3 mm or more in the distance between the lens and the subject will produce an image out of focus.

The butterflies and the Dragon fly are taken without the 6T so the tripod it is not required providing that high SS is used.

95 % of my flora, birds and insects shots are taken in my 500 m2 native garden :)

It is fun :)

[Chucaro]

This is an Australian native stingless bee which it is about 4 mm long in a grevillea Lana Maree flower.

http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/_AAP0760-2.jpg


And this is a front view of a beetle larva, handsome as well :D

http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/Beetle%20Larva.jpg

[Cap]

Im just waiting for you guys to post up a photo of a single celled amoeba... :angel:

Nice photos, great view of the world we dont often see.

[Chucaro]

This is the head of a Common Eggfly butterfly. The image is uncroped and the shot taken handheld on a windy day using the Nikon 6T.
My apologies for a bit of movement on the chin but the tongue is sharp :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1639.jpg

[Panya]

This is a female pompilid spider-hunting wasp dragging a paralysed Palystes spider to a nest where she will lay an egg in the body. The living spider provides the food for the larval wasp.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/panya-albums-insect+pics-picture1127-pompilid-wasp-palystes-spider.jpg

[Chucaro]

Interesting and good behavour shot.
Here many of the wasps do the same.
The Orange Potter hunt for caterpillars instead.
Once that the larva develop to a wasp, this wasps when adult remember where they born and will come back to build a nest in the same place.
For this reason if you do not like to have this wasps in your home, the nest have to be destroy as soon it is closed.

[Chucaro]

A close up detail of the head of the Common Paper Wasp

http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/Common%20Paper%20Wasp-detail.jpg

[Chucaro]

Come on!!! post some pics

[zuno555]

I love macro shots. Here's a couple of mine.........

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1158.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1159.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1160.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1161.jpg


Cheers.

[Chucaro]

That Dragon portrait is great! Top shot mate.
Very nice images, thank for posting :)

[Chucaro]

Just a fly on the top of a lettuce leaf :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1089.jpg

[Redback]

Gecko, at Wanaaring
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
Stick insect Woods Point
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/DSC06359.jpg

Baz.

[dullbird]

Just a fly on the top of a lettuce leaf :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1089.jpg


This is a wonderful shot with beautiful colours what are you using for your macro?

[Chucaro]

Thank you Dullbird for your comments.
I am using the Nikon 70-300VR with the Nikon 6T diopter attached to the front of the telephoto lens.
This gives a very good magnification for close-up photography but not for macro :(
It is a very sharp setup, have a look at the head of the fly on the "Flying" competition thread that have just finished.

[Chucaro]

The head of a tiny fly about 5mm long. The perch is the stem of the grevillea flower about 3mm diameter
Nikon D300s, Nikon 70-300VR and Nikon 6T diopter

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1014.jpg

[Cap]

Nice one, you got too much time on your hands! :D

[Chucaro]

Bugger I am the LONER PHOTOGRAPHER here :( come on, not be lousy and start posting some images, even a flea belong to your dog!

I was chasing a bee in one of the grevilleas when accidentally I spoted this 5mm long Orange fly.
This is with in the limits of my lens combo, so I have hard time in capturing some of the details on the body :( I need a macro lens :D

Talking about macro I have a low quality image of a 5 mm long Lynx spider that was in one of the grasses leafs. When I uploaded the image in the PC I have a shock! The spider have a 1.5mm aphids on the mouth :eek: What a lens combo!
May be I will post it later on :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/797.jpg

[werdan]

Sorry Arthur. I don't have a macro lens.

Here's about as close as I can get to the bugs I usually have to deal with.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/734.jpg

[Chucaro]

Thanks mate,Nice image!
I do ot have a macro lens either and use the nikon 70-300VR with the 6t diopter for close up images.

[Panya]

Hey Arthur just not having the opportunity at the moment but I am sure I will post again!

[Chucaro]

It is Ok Panya you have posted your fair share :)
I just try to motivate the timid people among the 833 viewers of this thread :D

[Chucaro]

This is the 5mm long (max)Lynxs spider that I have mentioned in my post of the Orange fly which have an about 1.5mm aphids in it mouth.
The image it is not technically good because the size of the spider is a bit beyond the magnification of the lens combo, but nevertheless it is a good reference shot.
I was not aware of the aphids untill I have the image on the screen in the PC. It is so small that will be impossible to see it with the naked eye.

Cheers

http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/_AAP1043.jpg

[dmdigital]

Arthur have you tried using a reversed lens for macro work?

[abaddonxi]

Not quite so close.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/710.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/711.jpg

[Chucaro]

Arthur have you tried using a reversed lens for macro work?

Not yet Derek I am thinking in a Tamaron 180 macro or a Sigma 150.
I love the Nikons macro with VR but $$$$ :(
An extetion tube in any of them will be a fantastic set-up with plenty reach.

[Cap]

Reversed lens - Im guessing you need an adaptor to be able to fit the lens onto the body, plus you loose auto focus etc etc - youll be working fully manual mode.

[dmdigital]

Not yet Derek I am thinking in a Tamaron 180 macro or a Sigma 150.
I love the Nikons macro with VR but $$$$ :(
An extetion tube in any of them will be a fantastic set-up with plenty reach.
I have the Sigma 150 and am pleased with it. I did contemplate the Nikkor 105 VR but I thought the reach of the 150 was a better option. It's also a very nice telephoto prime. The only downside I've found is that it has a smaller diameter front ring to my Nikkors and so I have to use a step down ring for any filters.


Reversed lens - Im guessing you need an adaptor to be able to fit the lens onto the body, plus you loose auto focus etc etc - youll be working fully manual mode.
Yes, full manual mode - every things the wrong way round to talk to a camera. You screw an adaptor mount in to the lens' filter thread.

e.g. Amazon.com: Nikon BR-2A - Reverse ring Nikon F - 52 mm thread: Camera &…

[Chucaro]

I have the Sigma 150 and am pleased with it. I did contemplate the Nikkor 105 VR but I thought the reach of the 150 was a better option. It's also a very nice telephoto prime. The only downside I've found is that it has a smaller diameter front ring to my Nikkors and so I have to use a step down ring for any filters.


Now I got you :twisted: If you have a macro lens then please star your contribution here :D

[Grumpy]

Have just bought a set of Camray macro adapter rings on EBay [from China]. There are four in the set - 1,2,4,times and a macro looks about 10x. All solid glass.

The photos are with the Macro lens. Haven't tried the others yet. Jees what a job to focus with the wind blowing and the subject not co-operating!

Any hints/comments would be appreciated.

Tony :wheelchair:


Young Preying Mantis?
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/559.jpg

Hover Fly?
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/560.jpg

[dmdigital]

A tripod, ballhead and a focusing rail with screw adjustment are the ideal setup. Also an off camera flash with a softbox or a ring flash on the front of the lens will aid in pushing the aperture up to something more reasonable.

Wind is just a problem, though I have been known to tie down branches so they don't move.

Whilst this is directly aimed at marketing RRS equipment, they have some very good "how to" and equipment setup information on their site. This is the link to the Macro page: Really Right Stuff ... Closeup & Macro Photography (http://reallyrightstuff.com/macro/index.html)

[Chucaro]

Keep posting mate, you will get better and better and thank you for sharing the images with us.

Your second image it is not a Hover fly, it is a Green Long Legged Fly I - Heteropsilopus or Sciapus sp.
Family Dolichopodidae

You can get a flash ring adapter in Oz HERE (http://www.d-d-photographics.com/rayflash.htm).

If you call macro adapter rings to a diopter I recomment to you to upgrade them to a double glass diopter like the Nikon and Canon models.

I do not use light on my images because I do not do macro photography, only close-up shots with the diopter.

I believe that only the Canon ones are available nor so the Canon 500 will be the option.

Diopters have a very shallow DOF, my Nikon 6T on the 70-300 lens only have about 4mm DOF !! :eek:

Also they work very well in lens 100mm and over.

[dmdigital]

I have the Canon 500D. If you are buying one get it from the USA as they are a lot cheaper over there (about 1/3 the price). They also come in large sizes (e.g. 77mm). The Nikon 6T is almost impossible to find now as it's been discontinued for some years. They do appear form time to time second hand.

These +2 diopter close up filters are designed for 70-300mm lenses and reduce the infinity focus of the lens down to a smaller range of about 500mm. As Arthur has said, very narrow DOF results as well. But this applies to any "macro" or close-up photography due to the fact you are so close there is a very small window of hyper-focal distance.

These two images are with the Canon 500D and 70-200mm f/2.8. Both are at 200mm.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/555.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/556.jpg

For Arthur, these are using the Sigma 150 f/2.8 Macro.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/557.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/558.jpg

[Chucaro]

Nice shots Derek, the 500D performs very well.

[SloMoBro]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/524.jpg

[SloMoBro]

I've just started checking out camera corner and have been inspired by the shots I see. Thanks for the motivation to get using the camera more. Great photos. Now do I get that rear wheel carrier or a macro lens?
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/523.jpg

[Chucaro]

Thanks for posting mate.
Forget about the rear carrier Your Defe like my will be ok without it.
Get a lens and enjoy photography ;)
My Defe it is part of my photography equipment :D

[Chucaro]

Wing details of Dingy Swallowtail or Small Citrus Butterfly
Papilio anactus

http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/_AAP0638-Wing.jpg

Green Long Legged Fly I - Heteropsilopus or Sciapus sp.
Family Dolichopodidae

http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/_AAP1137.jpg

[dullbird]

Long fly is an awesome pic...


And Pumice get the lens, a macro lens is the next thing on my list.

[Chucaro]

I am trying to documenting all the butterflies that come to our native garden.
Today I have the chance to take this shot of this example which have the wings in a very good condition and was new in my portfolio.
I used the nikon D300s and the Nikon 70-300VR
Also I have created a new gallerie with the butterflies that come to our garden and perch in the grevilleas.
The gallerie is HERE (http://arthur-plottier.megashot.net/galleryPhotos/Australian+Butterflies/3442)

Scarlet Jezabel -also known as Northern Jezabel. Delias argenthona
Family Pieridae
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/213.jpg

[Panya]

Nice one!

[VladTepes]

I went hunting on the weekend and carried a little Canon Ixus80 on my belt. Now aside from being compact there is nothing special about this camera, nor its macro mode but I took a few pics that (while of course not anywhere near the standard of other pics in this thread) I thought you might find interesting...

http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/47689/2894123300100403462S600x600Q85.jpg
close up of ant nest with ant emerging.

http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/19429/2062010240100403462S600x600Q85.jpg
A mossy atoll !

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/45719/2242359700100403462S600x600Q85.jpg
Moss Island or Mossy Knob (as is your preference!)

http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/38467/2261974920100403462S600x600Q85.jpg
Floral arrangement

[Cap]

Hey Vlad, those are nice pictures of red crosses in a white box :p :p

[Chucaro]

Nice work Vlad, just keep posting.

[VladTepes]

stooge can;t you see 'em ?
chucaro I presume you can ?!

[Cap]

Can see them now thx ;)

[CowsGoMoo]

Some really great pics posted. I like the fact that macro pictures can bring another world that we don't normally see into view. Here's a couple of mine. I use a Sigma 150mm macro and in some cases Kenko extension tubes and Sigma ring flash

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/06/1847.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/06/1848.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/06/1849.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/06/278.jpg

[Chucaro]

Excellent images David.
I do not use a macro glass on my close-up shots so I cannot capture so much details like in this images. Very good.
Looks like that you have used a flash on the first image. Did you used a dedicated flash for macro photography and a difuser?
I have noticed that the eyes of the insects are very sensitive to the flash light and it is very easy to loose details or upsetting the constrast.
Keep posting ;)

[CowsGoMoo]

Excellent images David.
I do not use a macro glass on my close-up shots so I cannot capture so much details like in this images. Very good.
Looks like that you have used a flash on the first image. Did you used a dedicated flash for macro photography and a difuser?
I have noticed that the eyes of the insects are very sensitive to the flash light and it is very easy to loose details or upsetting the constrast.
Keep posting ;)


Thanks. Can't remember exactly what I used for the first one. Most likely an SB-800 on a cable. If I can keep a critter or subject in one spot I've sometimes used 2 SB-800s on their little stands pointed from both sides and fired remotely using the D300 on board flash. Later on I got the Sigma ring flash to use in the caves. Was staring to feel like a claustrophobic juggler with not enough hands before that.

The fly was found on a handrail just after exiting one of the Jenolan Caves. The air temperature was pretty cool so the flying critters were rather lethargic

[Cap]

Excellent shots there Cows... fantastic work.

[Chucaro]

This very tiny insect about 6 to 8mm long was hunting on the edge of a hibiscus leaf when I have the chance of taking the shot with the close-up lens.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/06/1803.jpg

[Chucaro]

Yellow and Black Potter Wasp - Delta campaniforme
Family Vespidae

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/06/881.jpg

[CowsGoMoo]

More nice critters. Must be too cold down here now. Most of the critters have gone to ground.

[Cap]

We go NO critters here in winter either, NOTHING like that up in Qld at any rate.

[Butts]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/06/278.jpg
Cows, great timing.

150 straight?
How many attempts?

[CowsGoMoo]

Cows, great timing.

150 straight?
How many attempts?

Thanks. I may have put a 22mm extension tube on as well. It took about 1/2 an hour of taking pics of the drips to get this one. Was taken with a group from one of the photography forums went to the Jenolan Caves for the weekend a few years ago.

If you get about 10 people together you can hire a photography friendly tour guide for about $80 each for the day. He'll take you around to pretty much any of the tourist caves you want so long as you don't get in the way of the tour groups. This way they let you bring in tripods and you don't have the rush to keep to a timetable. You get about 6 hours underground and a snappy lunch break.

After dark there's also heaps of critters to photograph. Well worth the trip.

We were going to go back to do an adventure cave trip but it didn't happen in the end.

[Brettsky64]

Hi fello photographers, just a couple of shots mostly taken with canon400d and a couple with olympus utough unerwater camrea
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=26792&stc=1&d=1278678131

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=26793&stc=1&d=1278678411

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=26794&stc=1&d=1278678508http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=26795&stc=1&d=1278678584

[Chucaro]

Found today this Hedge Grasshopper in the passionfruit bush
Image full frame (uncropped)

http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/_AAP2890-2.jpg

full body

http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/_AAP2904.jpg

[Chucaro]

The Coastal Taipan is the second most dangerous snake in the world and Australia, The inland Taipan is the first in the list.
They are wonderful pets and will look after the place keeping intruders out :D
Look how cute and cuddley is this fellow :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/436.jpg

[CowsGoMoo]

Yes, he looks like he just wants some loving.


Took this a few years ago. I liked the way the colours came out.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/374.jpg

[Chucaro]

That it is a good effect David, I like it!!

[Chucaro]

The Collett's Snake (Pseudechis colletti) is a beauty, I love the colors and size

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/350.jpg

[Landy Smurf]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/225.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/226.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/227.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/228.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/229.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/230.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/07/231.jpg

[Chucaro]

Last time that I took a few shots of this wasps was when a pair was mating in one of the grevilleas in our garden.
I spotted this fellow today ( Orange Potter Wasp, (Eumenes latreilli) building a nest so I used the D300s with the 70-300VR and the 6T diopter to see if I was able to get some details.
The tip of the lens was about 300 mm from the insect and I was not prepared to get any closer.
Was a bit of a breeze and the branch was moving about 2mm each way so this is the sharpest 2 shots that I was able to get :(
The shots are full frame (no crop)

http://www.plottier.net/albums/userpics/10002/_AAP3693.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[PSi]

Help, there's a bug in my hardware :mad:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=30685&stc=1&d=1288777960

[Cap]

hahahahaha thats great Psi :D