Female Violet Darter (MPE-65)

This is a rare find for me -plenty of males at the lake but the females normally pair up with one of the gents and migrate away from the water. In fact I haven't seen her since I took these shots -and darters are creatures of habit so she probably found a mate...

All Canon gear: Xti (shutter priority 1/200, ISO 200, -1/3 EV) + MPE-65mm macro lens + MT-24EX set to -2 FEC with home made diffusers.

The first two are at life size, and I'm using natural light as the primary light source with just a little flash to boost the detail in the shadows.

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great shots! Mind posting a picture of your setup for us to see... especially the flash and diffuser...


how did you manage to get him to sit still for the shots?

cgratti wrote in post #3529704
great shots! Mind posting a picture of your setup for us to see... especially the flash and diffuser...

how did you manage to get him to sit still for the shots?

The Bazooka -although I'm now using an MPE-65mm and I sometimes use a carbon fiber mono pod.

Shooting Dragonflies.

Home Made Diffuser.

You seem to have a way with dragonflies John - do you talk to them ?
Excellent series BTW.
brian V.

Great shots - 2x and 2.5x are really excellent

DT, that lens is so sharp and just seem to suck in the detail. You must be well pleased with it.

LordV wrote in post #3530465
You seem to have a way with dragonflies John - do you talk to them ?
Excellent series BTW.
brian V.

When one of them sneezes it gives the rest of them away...

Thanks Brian!

DaveBinks wrote in post #3530655
Great shots - 2x and 2.5x are really excellent

The last one was my wallpaper for several days

Attic wrote in post #3531926
DT, that lens is so sharp and just seem to suck in the detail. You must be well pleased with it.

The best money I've spent in a long time my friend...

Those are great shots, I love that on the last 2 at 2x and 2.5x magnification it looks like she is smiling at you.

nan3182 wrote in post #3532484
Those are great shots, I love that on the last 2 at 2x and 2.5x magnification it looks like she is smiling at you.

...as long as she's not smiling because she's thinking about eating me...

Dalantech wrote in post #3532669
...as long as she's not smiling because she's thinking about eating me...

LOL doubt that she was considering how tasty you would be. But you never know maybe she thought you were a cutie

nan3182 wrote in post #3532734
LOL doubt that she was considering how tasty you would be. But you never know maybe she thought you were a cutie

*Dal looks for the "Eeeeeeeeeeeek!" emoticon*

Lovely series........the MPE65 is just an amazing lens..........great work!!!

Leorooster wrote in post #3532956
Lovely series........the MPE65 is just an amazing lens..........great work!!!

Thanks!