Hi Derek, thank you for your comments! I always place composition as my highest priority, which might be why these images are as they are. My thought process is to get the composition right and try my hardest to get critical focus in the right place, but to get the compo right I never use any kind of camera support as it is too restrictive. This leads to a lack of sharpness (sometimes), but I think it's worth the sacrifice. I prefer the non-flash shots, but the flash does give leeway for a bit of camera shake. Everything is a compromise with macro, especially if you're doing it outside with live critters and no controlled conditions.

Cheers
David

Excellent set Gareth, I hope the happy couple are pleased with them?

I know how hard it is to do wedding shoots, these are top class.

Regards
David

Great set, very varied and high quality throughout. I agree with you - it's good you didn't sell that lens!

Cheers
David

Continuing the recent theme of macros with extension tubes, here are a few from our garden this weekend. All were taken with Extension Tubes of varying lengths, some with a Pentax-A 50mm F1.7 and some with a Pentax 100mm WR Macro F2.8. The exceptions are the 'Snake' shots, which are the DA*300. All are taken with a Pentax K-3. Hope you like them, please comment and critique.

1. Hoverfly on Wild Flower - Pentax-A 50mm + Tubes



2. Tiny Fly on Water Forget-me-not - Pentax 100 Macro + Tubes



3. Grass Snake in Pond - DA*300



4. Grass Snake again - DA*300



5. Unknown Fly (Wasp?) - Pentax 100 Macro + Tubes + diffused flash



6. Unknown Fly again - Pentax 100 Macro + Tubes + Diffused Flash



7. Hoverfly on Wild Flower - Pentax-A 50mm + Tubes



8. Hoverfly on Wild Flower - Pentax-A 50mm + Tubes



9. Hoverfly on Wild Flower - Pentax-A 50mm + Tubes



10. Unknown Spider, in Reeds near pond - Pentax 100 Macro + Tubes



11. Unknown Solitary Bee - Pentax 100 Macro + Tubes + diffused flash



12. Unknown Solitary Bee - Pentax 100 Macro + Tubes + diffused flash



13. Unknown Solitary Bee - Pentax 100 Macro + Tubes + diffused flash



14. Unknown Solitary Bee - Pentax 100 Macro + Tubes + diffused flash



Regards
David

Excellent shots, well taken. I love doing macro with standard lenses and tubes, will have a go this weekend and post my efforts tomorrow evening.

Regards
David

I prefer the 105 Sigma image, it has more inherent sharpness, as is usually the case when comparing a true macro lens with a standard portrait lens on tubes. The Pentax 50mm F1.7's are very good though for macro photography when on tubes, I took one of my best ever macros with this combination.

Regards
David

A fabulous series of shots - this is macro at its best. Have you tried a 50mm on a full set of tubes? I like my A50 f1.7 used in this way, it gives great results. Might have a go with my 135mm Takumar and see what this does.

What aperture settings were used for these?

Regards
David

This is a great set, I like all of them, but particularly the leaf on purple ground.

Regards
David

Great shots, in particular the first image.

Regards
David

It's a shame we can't see the whole insect Derek, but nonetheless these have a particular kind of beauty. I've done a fair few of Damselflies this close up and although it can give a bit of a gruesome effect, it's well worth the effort.

Very well shot.

Regards
David