Very nice shot Saul. Early this spring I was seeing these quite a bit, lately not so much... I've been on the lookout for a Vivitar 105 Series 1. Your photo speaks for the lens' quality. What are your thoughts on it's use in the field?

Nice photo and congratulations Gordon! I prefer the NatGeo image over the crop you posted here..

EFCS should be a welcome addition to Nikon continuous light stackers. I have wanted an 800e since it came out. I could never justify the price with my investment in an upper tier prosumer Canon body. With the release of the 810, I'll be monitoring the used and clearance sales.

Toss up as to whether this belongs here or in the technical studio section. This moth graced my office window at work today. So I set up an impromptu platform out of boxes and photographed it through the window. Natural light on a dreary overcast day. 5D-MKIII - Sigma 105mm on 36mm tube - f8 / ISO 1...

Leopold,

Have you considered a set of Auto Extension Tubes? You will get the magnification increase you desire with less hardware and cost.

orionmystery wrote:Very nice shot, great moment there!

Thank you Kurt!

Onboard flash is tricky, you have done well. What improvements did you make? Not much indeed...But it seems trying to avoid a reflecting surface beneath the object (flower petals or ground) help produce better results. Otherwise light intensity can be either too harsh for the object or too little f...

Thanks for comment :) Beatle shot is diffused flash. I use flash all the time with MPE-65 I add the rain last shot for Photoshop :) Sory for my bad English :( Your english is fine, I'm certain I can't speak your mother tongue so thank you for making the effort to communicate in mine. I have seen ma...

William, curiosity overwhelms me: what are those little cork(?) blocks with the grooved rubber faces? --Rik Rik, couple years ago I bought similar ones - instead cork it had porous blue material and they were, as per ebay seller, "AC unit anti vibration pads". Wanted to use in the my setup, but bec...

listera wrote:Nice. Congrats...

Thank you listers...

orionmystery wrote:Great set. That lubber is so photogenic!

Thank you Kurt. I agree the lubber was photogenic. I shot adults and while the colors, yellows, greens, reds, and earth tones, they weren't as striking as the instals.

I see now, you have built a snoot diffuser. These work for illuminating the subject but the diffusion surface is compact, light produced is direct and more prone to hot spots. A larger diffuser surface will help alleviate the glare.

You may want to use a larger diffuser, 6x8 is a good size. A larger the diffuser the more spread out the light and is easier it is to illuminate the contrasting subject/background.

Beautiful macros! I like "darkish" background. Very nice light - what diffuser was used ? Thank you Saul, I use a DIY diffuser. Basically a concave hard box that hangs over the end of the lens. Attaching a couple photos for your reference. http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/userpix/3217_concave_...

Onboard flash is tricky, you have done well. What improvements did you make?