Orange tips, an eyed ladybird, a spider with caterpillar and an non-id’d fly

Been a while but as “summer” approaches back out with for some “macro” photography. Big issue this year is my 150mm sigma macro lens split in 2 so needs repaired. Resorting to my old 28-135mm Conn lens and a choice of extension tubes to produce these. Main change for me was going manual focus as the camera just went a hunting with the extension tube on. Quite pleased with the results though. Two easy identified creatures in the orange tip and the eyed ladybird. Not sure what the spiders intentions are towards the caterpillar. Can anyone ID the greyish hairy fly as I have no idea and not seen it in any of my online searches.

Thanks in advance.

Alan

Lovely series of shots. I'd guess on the fly being a Tachinid.
Brian V.

Thanks Brian, looks like I have converted back to manual focusing even when my true macro is repaired. Much more enjoyable and rewarding when it works out. On topic, how difficult is it to get used to the MPE-65?

Also looks like you’re right on it being a tachnid as my friend who also got shots of it has been told it is very likely to be a tachnid but that getting the actual family member is nigh on impossible from a few photos.

Wonderful series, particularly like the mating Orange tips.

"...150mm sigma macro lens split in 2...", wow that sounds drastic. Did this involve a sudden physical impact?!

The MPE-65 is a bit of a different technique, generally you need to find your subject at 1:1 and then crank up the magnification. I almost always use it with handheld with flash, but you can use it at higher magnification if you are well braced and you crank up the ISO like this http://www.ware.myzen.​co.uk …%20O_001-05_12-04-14.html, think this was about 2x.

Thanks Lester.

Had that macro for more years than I can remember so has had little dink’s off and on over the years. When I removed it from the body it made a slight grinding noise then the lens split leaving the camera mount and a few flying leads on the body. To me it looks like it was the fixing screw holes that finally gave up the ghost. In for repair now so hopefully not too expensive as no optical damage and no internal electronic damage.

Just have to carry on with my 28-135 and extension tube kit for now.

Also, thanks for the info on the MPE-65. I may try to hire one for a good test before committing to it.

ascrawford wrote in post #18860618
Thanks Lester.

Had that macro for more years than I can remember so has had little dink’s off and on over the years. When I removed it from the body it made a slight grinding noise then the lens split leaving the camera mount and a few flying leads on the body. To me it looks like it was the fixing screw holes that finally gave up the ghost. In for repair now so hopefully not too expensive as no optical damage and no internal electronic damage.

Just have to carry on with my 28-135 and extension tube kit for now.

Also, thanks for the info on the MPE-65. I may try to hire one for a good test before committing to it.

Before you get the MPE-65 compare the weight to what you use now as it is quite heavy.