Macro and Flash

Hi Everyone.
I am posting this shot from earlier this afternoon. It's an unknown fly ( to me ) which I took with my 450d and Sigma 105mm macro. I am well aware its a poor shot but is this because I used the built in flash. It seems to have ok depth of field but the eyes are poorly focused. Is it because the flash has blown them out?
If I had off camera flash would it be better ? If I bought one of the cheap ring flashes would my shot be improved. I have seen all the clever hoods people have created but surely the cheap ring flashes would be better than them. I know the top end ring flashes are the business, but I hardly ever do macro so dont want to spend big money unless I really get into it in future.
Any advice would be great
Thanks
Ian
PS Its ok to pull my picture apart

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No, the problem is that its back focused. You should try focusing to the eyes. When it comes to focusing, flash makes no difference.

Next time, do not use AF. Use manual focus for this kind of macro shots (I always do).

Here's a similar photo I took a few weeks ago using a 40D with a Canon 100mm f2.8 macro and the camera's built in flash:

Thanks both for your replys,
My point of posting the pic is the legs either side of the head are in focus as is the wings. I shot in manual mode and my focusing technique was to adjust the lens first to be able to take a close up. Then slowly lean in to get its eyes sharp, continue going forward till its eyes lose focus. Then I come back and as soon as the eyes are in focus take the shot.
The leaf in front of the pic and the wings are focused ok, just not the eyes. This is why I thought the flash had spoilt the shot.
Ian

My guess would be flesh fly. What is your EXIF info?

Hi reneethomas,
I shot in Manual mode focusing was manual, WB set to cloudy, ISO 100, shutter speed 1/30 sec, AV 11.0
Whats flesh fly, I've never heard of that ?
Ian

EDIT
Just had a look at your work, you've got some nice shots !!

I'm no expert on this, but I tried doing something similar using the Canon 50mm f/2.5 compact macro on my 40D and was not happy with the results. I was holding the camera in my hand and found that after focusing, (manual) even the slightest movement affected the focus. I think you need to use a faster shutter speed, especailly if holding the camera, or a tripod. Maybe it's different with a longer macro lens, but using the 50 it was hard to keep the focus. I have not tried the 100mm macro lens yet, but that will be my next foray...

h14nha wrote in post #10330490
Hi reneethomas,
I shot in Manual mode focusing was manual, WB set to cloudy, ISO 100, shutter speed 1/30 sec, AV 11.0
Whats flesh fly, I've never heard of that ?
Ian

EDIT
Just had a look at your work, you've got some nice shots !!

Here is some information on them: http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Flesh-fly it is the most common fly we see in the desert (or at least I have seen).

To answer your question on "cheap" ring flashes. They have their use but they will never replace a macro flash or 430EX. Right now I have a digi-slave and 430EX. I thought this combo would give me the same results as a macro flash and boy was I wrong. The digi-slave has it's place and value, mainly as a focus light but it does not produce enough light to be the sole source. Also if you want to use the digi-slave with a 430EX you have to get a flash bracket and trigger to make the flash extend beyond the digi-slave otherwise the flash is blocked out. By the time you have purchased the digi-slave, flash, trigger and bracket you could have bought a great macro flash. Then you have one of the macro Gods here who uses a 430EX and flash bracket, his results are amazing.

Most of my shots are taken with a 430EX on camera. I was debating whether to bite the bullet and get a macro flash or flash bracket and trigger. The 430EX has done me well and I use it for other photography as well. The 430EX is a great place to start because adding flash is yet another learning curve.

Given your EXIF I believe your blurring was due to camera shake. 1/30 handheld without IS is difficult to say the least! Add a flash and increase your shutter speed and you will see a huge difference.

Thanks for the compliment!

Could it be that the fly moved just when you took the picture? That happens to me all the time.

To OP, it's purely a focusing error. You thought you'd fired when the eyes were sharp, but either you were wrong, or in the time between deciding to press the button and the exposure itself you moved. Don't forget , you've only moved half a fly's length, so don't feel bad. Depth of focus is very shallow when you're this close, even at f/11. As you say, other parts are sharp so you can see there's nothing wrong with your gear. Apart from the focus error, the only problem with the shot is that the direct flash makes for a very harsh light. Keep at it.

Thanks all,
There was a slight breeze as I was taking the shot. I wasnt that bothered about a fast shutter speed as the fly was static, but yes, as the wind was moving the plant I still needed a fast shutter to freeze him on the plant.
We live and learn.