Two bee or not two bee – some macro bees and other insects!

[Dennis]

Hello,

Well, the uncooperative Brisbane skies saw me out with the macro lens rather than the telescope and I am delighted to be able to share the results of my adventures in the microscopic world of Roma Street Parklands in the centre of Brisbane.

All taken with Canon 40D and Canon 100mm F2.8 macro lens. Off camera flash with 580 EXII.

Cheers

Dennis

[astro_south (Andrew)]

Great shots Dennis.

Off camera flash hey - did you build or buy a bracket or is it handheld? Are you using any diffusers as well?

[Dennis]

Thanks Andrew.

My first attempt at making a bracket yielded the prototype shown in this post (image at msg 14) but I have since moved on from there and made an alternative bracket using an old guide scope ring, which makes the unit more compact. I’ll post a photo when it’s finished.

Whilst OCF, when correctly executed (LOL!), can produce a better quality of lighting compared to my ring flash, it seems so much more difficult to get right and I keep hitting the bushes with the larger assembly.

I use this Lumiquest Soft Box to provide softer lighting.

Cheers

Dennis

[lacad01 (Adam)]

Great set of macros Dennis, especially nice detail on the bee shots

[Dennis]

Thanks Adam - I'm enjoying my forays into the amazing world of these small creatures!

Cheers

Dennis

[DavidU (Dave)]

#5 is very very good !

[h0ughy (David)]

fantastic array of images Dennis

[Dennis]

Thanks Dave and David!

And here is the latest incarnation of my home made flash bracket, using an ADM guide scope ring. It would be nice if the monopod head which holds the flashgun could rotate around the ring just by loosening and tightening a catch or clutch. Maybe something for the Mk VIII model!

Cheers

Dennis

[troypiggo (Troy)]

Great stuff, Dennis! Good to see some insects still around.

[StephenM (Stephen)]

Another great collection Dennis! Well done.

Cheers,
Stephen