Ladybird

Snapped this just a while ago & am disappointed with the sharpness of the image.

Set-up was:
K5, 100mm D FA Macro, iso 160.

Pentax Auto Bellows M, 150mm extension.

Lens stopped-down with double cable release to f22.

Pentax AF 080c ring light.

Focus using bellows stage, then the lens' focus ring in live view, very carefully!

Slightly cropped in PSE11, levels adj., sharpened.

Shot in JPEG, I can download the original out-of-camera, if it would help.










Your thoughts on where I've gone wrong / could improve would be appreciated!

Roger.

Don't know how much diffraction would soften it at f22 Roger?

The bellows maybe? Never used them so I cant really comment on the impact they have of IQ. And by f22 would the lens be going soft at that end? Have a look at the MTF chart here.

This will be diffraction Roger, probably not anything to do with your technique!

Regards
David

Thanks, all.

Diffraction it is, then!

This, at f5.6, single shot.
Has to be focus-stack!







This creature, sadly, has been injured. The yellow staining is its blood, I believe.


Thanks for your pointing me in the right direction, Combine ZP, here I come.....!


Roger.

Definitely diffraction.

I have a MP-E65mm macro lens for my 7D which is 1:5x magnification (basically a lens with built in macro tubes). I can shoot around f12/16 at 1:1 but if I go in further (say 1:3) then I have to use f8 to get decent sharpness.

For ages I thought it was either me or the lens causing soft shots but I am happier since I found out about the diffraction.

Is that one of those johny foreigner invader types of lady bird/bugs that everyone seems to be unhappy about :

Sorry - I can't help with the technique side of things

Yes, Stuey, I think it may well be!

Just come back after supper...
& it's wandered off!

Oh well, there'll be another one along in a minute!

Thanks for the help, everyone.

Appreciated.

Roger.

Would love a Pentax equivalent

Woo hoo - I thought I had correctly identified it

Considering that they are not well liked and thought to be a threat, none of the websites I have just checked recommend stepping on them when found