POST YOUR BEE SHOTS (any non-butterfly all pollinators are welcome - wasps, etc.)

I can't neglect my 100mm now that I have a 65mm

PSteven wrote in post #19081610
Well done - it is not easy photographing flying insects

Thank you. It sure isn't easy, but it's a whole lot of fun shooting up close with 100mm Macro lens.

pcs wrote in post #19082953

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You are spoiling us with all these amazing photos!

PSteven wrote in post #19082962
You are spoiling us with all these amazing photos!

Thank you, just pottering along in the back garden when I've got a moment.

First one is not that great, but it's the first time I've caught one in flight quite like that.
The second one I just love because I caught the proboscis sticking out.

Missed focus on the eyes, would have binned this one but then I saw the small hooks on the tip of it's 'tongue'. Didn't know they had this.
(and then I saw Dalantech's post with the bee blowing a bubble, maybe I've got to think about a MP-E 65)

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pcs wrote in post #19083438
Missed focus on the eyes, would have binned this one but then I saw the small hooks on the tip of it's 'tongue'. Didn't know they had this.
(and then I saw Dalantech's post with the bee blowing a bubble, maybe I've got to think about a MP-E 65)

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Still a good shot -I like the blur in the wings!

If you have some experience shooting above 1x then the next step is the MP-E if you really like shooting macro (there are other alternatives but none that are really better IMHO). If you don't have any experience shooting at 1x or higher then the learning curve will be almost vertical. A lot of what I do is extremely technique dependent, and the hardware that I use just makes it more convenient but it's not an "I win!" button. Always keep in mind that the next lens, camera body, whatever won't make you a better photographer. There's no substitute for experience.

I do have some experience with 1 to 2x. Usually I have one (36) extension tube and sometimes all three (68) with gives me 1.5 to 2 with my 100Lmacro at minimum focus distance. But I do find it very difficult to get focus as I mostly shoot (very)active bugs. Your left hand brace methode eludes me, maybe the FF is to big in my hands. What I would like is the detail a larger magnification can give but realistically I'll need to get better at getting a good focus at very close distance before I try 3-5 x.

pcs wrote in post #19083673
...Your left hand brace methode eludes me, maybe the FF is to big in my hands...

My technique works best when shooting with lenses in the 60mm range at 1.5x and higher mag. You need to keep the working distance short...

I think this is a Carpenter Bee. It's certainly the biggest bee I've ever seen. I's in some lavender.

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Carpenter Bee

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Carpenter Bee

Busy little guy...

pcs wrote in post #19082583

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Beautiful capture and wonderful lighting!

fake & real:

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soldier fly (Stratiomyidae)