K10D, DA16-45 @ 16mm, f/8, 1/45s, ISO100, polariser.

Dan

Haven't really thought about it because I always leave it on continuous drive anyway. Saves having to press any buttons when that decicive moment arrives...

Do you have a particular reason to have it on single shot mode?

Dan

One time when I was using my Rocket Blower on my *istD I got a bit carried away and bashed the nozzle against the sensor. Twice.

It suffered no damage whatsoever.

I wouldn't recommend doing it, but I suspect sensors are a little more sturdy than popularly believed. Haven't tried it with my K10D though.

But the Rocket Blower has done the trick so far with any dirt that's appeared, like Matt I haven't had the need to resort to touching the sensor with anything (used to do it every couple of weeks with the *istD, sensor swabs and Eclipse fluid).

Dan

Oh, and the fly shot in my first post above was using my Sigma 105 and extension tubes (can't remember how many).

Dan

...and it obviously depends on the size of the insect, find your self a willing dragonfly and you'll have to back off to get it all in, or at 1:1 you'll just get it's head and torso.

It's surprising how small insects actually tend to be. Ladybirds seem quite big, perhaps because they're red, but are usually around 5-6mm long, so less than 1/4 of the width of your sensor.

Dan

That is an ugly one, isn't it! Looks like it's made of mud.

Can I make a suggestion? Try playing around with diffusion for the flash. I use a Lumiquest fold out thing, but before that I made one out of a plastic bag.

It softens the light so it's not so harsh, and looks less like flash, like this one: http://www.danielbridge.co.uk/pentax/fly.jpg , or this one that is just a bit of a laugh, done when I had a spare ten minutes: http://www.danielbridge.co.uk/pentax/Wasp-Weekly.jpg

Here's a post about the plastic bag one: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2531&postdays=0&postord... , sorry, same pic of the fly again. It's called Merlin by the way.

Hope that helps, but anyway, you're getting some great macro shots out there, just wish I wasn't looking out of the window at torrential rain, high winds, and no insects.

Dan

Here it is: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3835

Still tempted to go back and try again every so often...

Dan

...and do you find yourself glancing at the screen that's not on the back after you take a shot?

Dan

That's because most of us are our own harshest critics, your's was most definitely best.

Remember that, when you're judging next monday.

Dan

Yep, couldn't agree more with the judging or the comments after, Brian's was the clear winner, lovely texture and tone. Had us all beat before we'd even started.

And a surprising third for me, must try harder...

Dan