Backyard macro's with the manfrotto 330B arm.

Shot these about a week ago, but haven't had time to process them yet.

40D + 100mm macro + 36mm tube. Lit by an SB-28DX w/ lumiquest or micnova mini softbox (I forgot which, but they're nearly the same anyway) on a Manfrotto 330B macro bracket (the flower had an SB-80DX w/ stofen on the second arm).
I used manual flash power, triggered by a cactus v4. God that setup is heavy...

Also did some more PP than usually, but if I did my job right, it's not quite as obvious that I did. The flies were on my very dirty window, so at least 10 minutes cleaning up spots
Nik software's Color Efex Pro (modified preset: Pro Contrast) was also involved. I love what that does to macro images.

Fly portrait (exif: f/13, 1/200th, iso 250, flash power 1/8th):

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mdstoop/5828230​179/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mdstoop/5828230​161/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mdstoop/5828230​149/

WOW the 1st is great shot! Nice work!

Absolutely love the first shot!

Thanks to both, it instantly became one of my all time favorite macro's ^^

Lovely shots - esp like #1
Brian v.

Number 1 is an awesome shot!

ditto

LordV wrote in post #12589745
Lovely shots - esp like #1
Brian v.

Bluedogs wrote in post #12590474
Number 1 is an awesome shot!

dgraham329 wrote in post #12591484
ditto

Thanks for the comments I'm really happy I was finally able to achieve this clean - almost 3d render-ish look on the first one (with modest equipment).