Macro a step closer

At long last warming up and even the sun came out along with battalion of bugs. I'd been busting a gut to get out with the MP-E 65mm using the technique which was suggested after my previous post.

Six keepers out of 396 this morning still a fair way to go but nevertheless progress I think. A few times I got too close and the bug moved onto the lens to check me out. Phil's suggestion with the rocking motion came up trumps but there again you be the judge.

Cnanon 1D3 Canon MP-E65mm using two legs of a tripod rocking to focus also using a ring flash MR-14EX ETTL Manual mode ISO 400 65mm
f/9.0 1/125sec RAW to Lightroom 4 slight crop resized to post.

Critique, Comments Advice most welcomed.
Thanks for looking.

I think you are making good progress, Barry. Next time try to get all of both antennae in, but I appreciate the problems.

David

Hi Barry, from your settings it looks like you're using a mixture of natural light and flash (i.e. if your flash failed to fire, the image wouldn't be jet black). This isn't a problem, and is something I do myself quite often, but is much more difficult than shooting purely with flash as flash alone will freeze subject movement. I would therefore try shooting at ISO100, 1/200 and f10 (or thereabouts). Other than that, this looks pretty good. It's maybe a little dark, and it's a shame about the antennae, but you've done the tricky bit and got it sharp.

Matt

A hard lens to learn so I hear, so well done so far, Nice close up.

Thanks David & Matt

Yes your assumption is correct Matt I was using a ring flash and natural light. I'll have twin flash sometime next week which I think will improve my chances. The biggest problem has been getting to understand the MP-E65. a) Finding the subject in the viewfinder then b) getting the subject sharp enough to press for the shot. Phil's rocking suggestion brought me on in leaps and bounds, pure hand held just didn't work for me just too much shake within the effort if you know what I mean I was trying too hard.

Good weather forecast for this week so plenty of practice on the cards.

Good advice already. Getting there. I wouldn't always go for big in frame either.
Cheers
JR

actually Barry, you'll probably get very little practice with this lens in warm weather as nothing will let you get close enough Best aim for early mornings or cool days and stick to your 180mm in the meantime

Matt

good advice here already, hope you get the shots you want

Barry looks like you are winning with you project,never had a go at macro will watch your progress with interest,good effort.

Keith.

Matts right... try to fully expose with the flash when you get the twin flash anyways, this will effectively give you a short exposure as any slight shake or movement is also magnified... As said shame about the antennae, but it is a very hard lens to use out in the field... mine stays firmly fixed to a stand here in my studio at the museum... in fact looking at it now at full extension with a further 62mm added...

When you get the twinlight look at diffusing both heads...

You will find a whole new world opening up before your lens, looking forward to seeing more...

Phil

Great advice from Matt C.

Great advice from the king of macro Matt, nice image and good luck with your macro

Some excellent stacked images here.

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17071

A great web site for macro inspiration and advice.