Garden Macros

Hi All, after a very busy week, i got out today, for around 45 mins to try and find something to shoot, these are what i found in the neighbors garden.
I never knew that wasps eyes had facets, flies I knew, wasps I didn't.

I don't know what kind of spider that is, but it's tiny, not much more than a match head.
I think the plant the wasp is on is a magnolia, not sure though.


IMGP1270ed2sm by dr.shutter, on Flickr


IMGP1285ed2sm by dr.shutter, on Flickr


IMGP1286edsm by dr.shutter, on Flickr


IMGP1288edv2crpsm by dr.shutter, on Flickr


IMGP1288ed3sm by dr.shutter, on Flickr


IMGP1315edsm by dr.shutter, on Flickr


IMGP1323edsm by dr.shutter, on Flickr


IMGP1326ed2sm by dr.shutter, on Flickr


IMGP1328edsm by dr.shutter, on Flickr

The jumping spider is very detailed considering its size. Their sight is first class and they are mega curious. If you offer a finger, they will likely as not jump onto it. Not such a good idea with wasps though. Nice deep d.o.f. on the wasp heads.

The spider was dragging that fly around for 20 or 30 mins that I saw, backways or sideways.
I suppose it couldn't go forwards as it had the fly in its gob.

Nice set,I love macros my favourite subject

Good set. I really like the photos of the spiders. I love trying to capture photos of spiders! Something very interesting about them closeup.

Steven

i'm still in the process of deciding on a macro lens. i'm currently having a play with a raynox dcr-250 with mixed results. i think its more my ability or lack of it and experience at the moment.

these shots you have here are stunning and the credit goes all to you.
but if you dont mind me asking what set up did you use.
i know with using a raynox it would be bordering on the impossible to get that depth of field.

a good set there Derek, spider looks determined to keep its meal

Cheers guys

The setup I use currently is a sigma 105mm macro lens, paired with extension tubes, this last lot were with all 3 tubes, and a cheap viltrox 670 ring flash.
I tend to shoot anywhere from wide open to f10 or so.
I have a raynox dcr 250 and a 505 but can't use them and the ring flash.
I might give it a go without the flash and use a tripod instead and see what the results are like.
When using the tubes it's mf, which is probably better for macro anyway.
Hope this helps wozfromcov.
Any questions feel free to ask.
Loads of helpful advice from peeps on here.

the sigma 105mm seems to fly under the radar.
most advice has been to go for the pentax 100m wr
the sigma seems very reasonable in price by comparison even though its second hand.

as i have never bought a new lens it wouldnt make that much of a difference.

To be honest, the only reason I bought the sigma was the price. I usually buy 2nd hand anyway so it didn't bother me at all.
I cant see much difference between them unless you feel the need for wr.
Derek.

yes thats the dilemma how much bad weather do i really want to go out in.

Exactly that.

you may have sold me on that one.
now just got to wait for my works yearly bonus to hit and im all set to go.

the one thing with the Sigma is you can switch it to MF for use with "Catch in Focus", quite often useful in macro shooting. this is not possible with the Pentax 100mm lens as far as i know.

You can switch to manual focus with any lens by setting the AF/MF switch appropriately on the camera body.
How, though, with catch in focus in play can you guarantee it will catch in on the intended point of focus? Surely it could fire off as soon as anything is in focus?