It shows that "ordinary" lenses can work pretty well. :). Just for reference, which 28mm is it? If it's a manual focus Nikkor, there were at least three f/2.8s - a series "E", one focusing to minimum 0.3m (5 element iirc) and one focusing to 0.2m (8 element). I think the image does benefit from lif...

Thanks !

My latest extreme macro: Specifically, a female Arhopala centaurus - the Purple Oak Blue butterfly. Wingspan of this species is only approximately 4cm so you can imagine how small the eyes, tongue etc. are that are shown here. It's a little neon blue/purple winged one that closes it's wings on landi...

Thanks Chris. Yeah I think I still need to work on placement and possibly diffusion of the flashes. I think the antennae light is in effect back/wrap around light from the flashes, perhaps either a different by colour or better pp may have helped there. The lens is the 1st version (chromed barrel en...

2015-02-03-21.00.51_ZS_retouched-Edit by AndyMacDougallPhotography, on Flickr

Using the d800, 200/4Q fm Nippon kogaku pre Ai lens with 50mm f1.4 reversed, 1/125, f8, iso100, styrofoam box and 2 yongnuo 560 flashes.

Andy

Exceptional detail Keiran, well done !

Andy

Thanks. Yeah, patience is not one of my virtues

What about a Newport style xyz stage with micrometers for adjustment ? ie move the subject rather than the camera as I'm currently doing.

Is there a sticky on them Rik ? Not ideal for the lighting/set up I'm currently using but.

I was looking at that a while ago (seem to recall a seller from S.Korea or Singapore which would be good) the biggest problem getting one from farther afield is they weigh 20 pounds. Some sellers seem to have reasonable shipping to where I am ie $70-100 but a lot of them quote crazy prices for shipp...

Hey Chris,

I do them all myself. IIRC it was easy, 10 min job at most, works a treat.

Tools - set of needle files, set of good jewellers screwdrivers.

Well, I asked the seller if it would be possible to cancel the transaction and he agreed. Yes, I am now THAT person !

I'll probs order a 10X objective and then see what's around if the proxxon doesn't cut it (I'm assuming it won't for 10X ?)

Not compared to some of the beetles here mate !

I'll have a look at it again (I don't like bright pictures though). I use a laptop with an uncalibrated screen and/or a 40" cheap ##### tv so it may look completely different in reality compared to what I'm seeing

My bad I know.

and that is still just his face at 4X My son bought me this specimen from the Ent. centre on Cape Tribulation, Daintree NP here. I have not been so will be interesting to see what other insects they sell. http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/userpix/392_lonicorn_full_1.jpg Still using the rig D800,...

As for your Zeiss focus block Andy, another option would be to remove the fine focus mechanism and couple a small reduction gearbox (with a 1/4" or 6mm dia. input/output shaft) to the coarse focus shaft. A worm drive gearbox will give a significant reduction ratio and they are not too expensive to ...

Thanks so much for all the help Rik, I'll try the 200f4, flat adapter and objective (when I get one) and see how that goes and then look into the Raynox. Good to see the use of El cheapo tubes too, I have a set that were $4, just need another 6 sets by the look of the photo in the link. I have a set...

Yeah that could work and I'm sure it can't be too hard, I have various hammers, duct tape and glue