They have a few of my macro photos of bugs on that very useful site

It's certainly tricky. I only use MF and manual metering all set up in advance. I then use a monopod with a ball head and the macro at the minimum (shirtest) focus and wander around looking for likely candidates, lowering and raising the monopod as I go.

Once spotted, I get the thing in the viewfinder and move the ensemble back and forth until it looks in focus and then hit the button. Success rate is probably around 0-20% for the tiniest insects, up to 50-80% for the "larger" flies and bugs.

I've tried in the past with a tripod, but as you say, they're gone long before I can get setup and usually end up knocking everything about getting the legs right.

Interestingly I found a use for the Liveview preview of the K20D and it was interesting using the technique above while watching the LCD. The main problem with it, though, was the appreciable delay between hitting the shutter release and it actually happening. It seems like the camera has to lower the mirror again (from liveview), raise it again (take the picture), then lower it again (finish). I'd understand why if I didn't have everything in Manual. The time it takes is too long to hold the camera steady.

It would work great on a tripod with a remote release, but then I'm back to lugging that lot around

This is my first macro with K20D, Sigma 180mm, AF360FGZ, LumiQuest Softbox

I think that this is Scolopostethus affinis, a tiny 4mm bug:


http://flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/2463348835/
F/16, 1/90, ISO200 with Dynamic Range Enhancement enabled.

My technique is a bit rusty. The LumiQuest Softbox (many thanks to Dan for previously posting about this!) gives much better lighting for me - softer, less harsh and less glare.

I'm not sure about the D-Range setting. It helps prevent blown highlights, but adds significant noise in shadows which can be a pain. I'll probably switch it off in future.

Well, it's spring up here (more insects, birds, flowers) which is probably the northern hemisphere excuse. What's yours?

The damselfly is a corker. Lovely bokeh on the marsh marigold. I need to get out and about with mine soon.

It's being replaced by the Sigma 120-400mm when it's released (SDM focusing only, i.e. no screw drive):
http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/lens/telezoom/120_400_45_56.htm

Cameraking appear to have the 135-400mm in stock.

The FA* F4.5 300mm seem to be going for more reasonable prices now that the DA* F4 300mm is out. You might find that with a Kenko 1.5x TC more manageable than the bigma, and with the sharpness of either the FA* or DA* you can zoom into the picture with minimal loss of quality (without the TC) compared to the 75-300mm (and the bigma, IMX).

The problem I had with the bigma was that at 500mm and F6.7 (as it reports on Pentax) you really needed a strong tripod and cable release to get the best quality out of it. Focusing at F6.7 in less than good strong light was also something of a challenge.

There's also the Sigma Sigma 135-400mm, which at F5.6 at the long end ought to be acceptable and is a cheaper solution than the others, it's also lighter than the bigma.

Thank you. I was quite surprised how well the setup fared in the rain. The goslings were unbearable cute to watch

Thanks I use a Manfrotto 458B tripod with a Manfrotto 393 gimbal head. It's a heavy combination that obviously makes it good and steady with the 500mm on it.

I find that overcast can also help with wildlife if the subject is prone to blown highlights. It can also make the colours much more interesting.

Taken this morning, in the rain (from a hide) with the 500mm Sigma and K20d (you can see the rain drop streaks if you look closely):



http://flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/2449572078/

Taken with the Pentax DA* 300mm:



http://www.flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/2449614846/