Thanks all for the comments and Charlotte for the ID. I'd happily send some wasps over to you AG, they're driving us mad this year.

I'm still experimenting with the ideal set-up and settings for macro, it's a remarkably difficult thing and I have a lot of admiration for those who do it so well.

Thanks. The metallic fly was handheld (but in prone position resting on elbows), the rest with a tripod.

1 1/60th f8 ISO 400, 75%
2 1/60th f9 ISO 400, 90%
3 1/50th f7.1 ISO 400, 44%
4 1/250th f8 ISO 400, 73%
5 1/4 f14 ISO 100, 42%
6 0.3 f16 ISO 400, 52%
7 0.4 f16 ISO 100, 60%
8 1/125th f8 ISO 400 87%

% is the cropped/original ratio on the longest edge. 3,5 and 6 are very small subjects and larger crops than I would like - I set myself a minimum limit of 2000 pixels longest edge. I'm starting to experiment with other options to get closer, but it's damned difficult though.

There are some hints there at its potential, great purchase..

I think the high contrast on the tree trunk suits the mono. Good find.

I'd reserve judgement with the bird pictures, as the conditions were not ideal. The jetski rider is the more promising and I look forward to seeing further images.

Thanks for your comment Galoot. The orange blur is its wing so I thought it best to keep it

For anyone who has made it past the title here are a few images from the last couple of days with the newly acquired Pentax F1.7 teleconverter (thanks Davex) partnered with the DFA 100 macro and K5. All natural light shots which is my preference, although I'm going to also try out a CardiffGareth design onboard flash diffuser. I'm also really looking forward to trying the tc on the 55-300 (but am already thinking about a DA*300). C&C welcome as always.

Fritillary feeding on thistle:




Grasshopper:




Tiny Somethingorother, Took A While To Work Out Which Way Round It Goes:




Metallic Fly Not Good Enough But I Liked The Background:




Froghopper (Pretty Weeny 3-4mm Long):




Answers On A Postcard Please, Feeding On Blackberry:




Fly:




Ants Harvesting Honeydew From Aphids (came across this late in the day, will try for some better shots tomorrow):

Wouldn't the balloon burst before the sound is detected?

Noise reduction can result in strange oversmooth looking images, a bit CGI like. This can be noticeable at larger sizes, much less so at forum size. Not saying that's the case here but yes I think highISO capability is still essential.

That's not boring, that's a very good study. It reminds me of a gas ring. The only minor detraction for me are the highlights on the stamens which I find slightly too bright.