Not too many insects around now so I'll soon be packing up my macro kit and turning to larger subjects, but here's a Hawthorn Shieldbug (not a Green Shieldbug as I originally stated, thanks Greg). There have been a few of these in my garden recently.
Canon 5D with MPE-65 macro lens, f16, 1/160, ISO 50, diffused Speedlight on side bracket.
Chris, yes, I recently splashed out on a used 5D to use predominantly with my MPE-65 lens as full frame bodies make the magnification range of the MPE-65 more useable. Compared to 1.6 crop body, the magnification range of the MPE-65 on a 5D is 0.62x to 3.12x which is much handier for larger insects. I'll no doubt put the 5D to use with my other lenses as well.
Nice shot Matt, I like the DOF you've chosen, and the background colour makes the subject stand out well. I would have perhaps suggested moving the subject towards the top of the frame to get the tip of the leaf in to provide a more dynamic composition.
...and sorry, it's a Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale)
thanks Greg, you're right about the ID, thanks for the correction.
Regarding the comp, I do have a few where I got the whole leaf in but the leaf was actually quite long which means the shieldbug has to be very high in the frame to fit it all in. To my eyes the image then looks a little unbalanced.
Matt
Posted by David Sewell on October 9, 2009 at 9:14 AM
I agree with Phil H about a little extra room around the subject, but I do like the low viewpoint, and if this is the last one of the season, you are certainly going out on a high.
David
Posted by Andy Shepherd on October 9, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Nice work Matt, that BG is really special, it's such a nice colour, Shieldbug isn't bad either.
Discussion
14 repliesCanon 5D with MPE-65 macro lens, f16, 1/160, ISO 50, diffused Speedlight on side bracket.
Here's a 1000 pixel version.
All C+C welcomed.
Matt
Great detail around the head and a beautiful background.
Is this with a new camera body?
Chris
Chris, yes, I recently splashed out on a used 5D to use predominantly with my MPE-65 lens as full frame bodies make the magnification range of the MPE-65 more useable. Compared to 1.6 crop body, the magnification range of the MPE-65 on a 5D is 0.62x to 3.12x which is much handier for larger insects. I'll no doubt put the 5D to use with my other lenses as well.
Matt
...and sorry, it's a Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale)
Greg
Regarding the comp, I do have a few where I got the whole leaf in but the leaf was actually quite long which means the shieldbug has to be very high in the frame to fit it all in. To my eyes the image then looks a little unbalanced.
Matt
David
Nice work Matt, that BG is really special, it's such a nice colour, Shieldbug isn't bad either.
Andy...
Is it stacked in any way or is that straight at f16?
Cheers
Austin
Austin, this was a single frame at f16. Thanks for your comment.
Matt
Tim