Whilst out searching for signs of spring last week I came across this fella on a clump of early bluebells. I think its species is Bombus Hypnorum.
I also think it shows what a versatile lens the 300mm F4 LUIS is - its absolutely excellent for insect photography when coupled with a set of extension tubes. I tried to photograph this with the 100mm Macro but the working distance was too close - kept spooking the bee - but the 300 allowed me to stand off an extra metre or so.
As ever your comments/criticsism welcome.
Canon 20D
300mm F4LUIS + 31mm extension tube
ISO 400 -0.67
f11 @ 1/60th - remote release camera supported by the good ol' Bilingham
Very nice, it is good to see close up work appearing on the forum again, it must be spring
My main nit is that the head is not in the plane of focus, I would have prefered that sharp and let the rest take care of itself..... but a very interesting behaviour image.
Good colour in those bluebells and nice and sharp, I to would have liked the head in focus. This is just what I brought my 300mm F/4 for, close up work, so great to see an example.
I appreciate what you've said guys - I realised the head was fractionally out - I wanted to go to f16 but it was in a wood with very little light and I didn't want to go below 1/60th - maybe I should have risked it - or even upped the ISO to 800 or 1600 and used neat image. The main reason to post it though was to show the versatility of the 300
Damn shame about the head (and the mite) being just oof. Otherwise a really fine image, in terms of colour, composition and detail. Background is perfect and looks as if it might have coped with f16 without losing the 'blur.' An ISO boost might have been worth it.
An excellent closeup showing the bee doing it's thing. I would also agree that it would be better if the head was slightly more in focus, but despite that this is still an excellent shot with plenty of colour and detail.
I have the non IS 300 F4 L, and combined with extension tubes and/or 1.4x converter it makes a great close up lens. The IS version is better though as it has a shorter minimum focus length.
Discussion
6 repliesI also think it shows what a versatile lens the 300mm F4 LUIS is - its absolutely excellent for insect photography when coupled with a set of extension tubes. I tried to photograph this with the 100mm Macro but the working distance was too close - kept spooking the bee - but the 300 allowed me to stand off an extra metre or so.
As ever your comments/criticsism welcome.
Canon 20D
300mm F4LUIS + 31mm extension tube
ISO 400 -0.67
f11 @ 1/60th - remote release camera supported by the good ol' Bilingham
dennis
Very nice, it is good to see close up work appearing on the forum again, it must be spring
My main nit is that the head is not in the plane of focus, I would have prefered that sharp and let the rest take care of itself..... but a very interesting behaviour image.
All the best
Tim
dennis
Damn shame about the head (and the mite) being just oof. Otherwise a really fine image, in terms of colour, composition and detail. Background is perfect and looks as if it might have coped with f16 without losing the 'blur.' An ISO boost might have been worth it.
Cheers
Malcolm
An excellent closeup showing the bee doing it's thing. I would also agree that it would be better if the head was slightly more in focus, but despite that this is still an excellent shot with plenty of colour and detail.
I have the non IS 300 F4 L, and combined with extension tubes and/or 1.4x converter it makes a great close up lens. The IS version is better though as it has a shorter minimum focus length.
cheers
Sean