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A true macro can at least render a 1 to 1 ratio. That is the image on the sensor or film will be the same size as the subject. Of course when we project or blow up that image it becomes huge.

It's a: Canon Macro lens - 100 mm - F/2.8 - Canon EF with image stabilization.

A benefit I've noticed is that one does not have to be in near physical contact with his subject. An issue back in my film days with my equipment was that I was so close to the subject that it was unavoidably shaded, and light was an issue. A ring flash, however, generates enough light for one to stop down and maximize depth of field.

They are great for snapping images of people too, as one can do quite well without getting into someones face.

cool, thanks for the explaination. I did research that very lense yesterday and read a review at thedigitalpicture, they spoke very highly of this very same lens you have.

a new bug.

very windy evening, best shot I could manage handholding the cam above my head.

Hi guys (Dave in particular!)

I hope I am not beating a dead horse too much here, but...



I found this video showing how to do insect macro photography by the guy who captures the nice images that I posted (Thomas Shahan). He uses pretty cheap equipment too!

He is truly an expert with duct tape -- and photography!



Colour me impressed -- you will be too! Trust me and set aside 7 minutes to watch this!

Double click this, then watch in full screen to get a better look than watching the small version within our webpage.

John

Thanks very much John I'm going to let that load and come back to it in a bit so I can watch it.

Dammit John!! now you've got me researching reverse lanse adaptors, ext rings etc.. Duck tape I have... but that's about all I've got going for me lol!!

Lots of bad influences here on the 'Fire!

The evil denizens here have me within a half inch of buying an expensive hand forged knife with Damascus blade (see my thread "Help me chose the material for my knife scales" thread HERE: I need another knife like a fish needs a bicycle!



Anyway, I found the movie when a student passed my office and noticed my screensaver (a 24 inch monitor filled by just the eyes of a spider!). He wanted to learn more, and I found the movie when trying to find the original site I found the still images on.

At least reversing rings and extension tubes are quite cheap though (no optics in them).

John

I should just stop tossing these out here as my image quality is fair at best, but I thought this red dragon fly was pretty cool.

Dave,

I like it! Great colour contrast between the body and the background.

John

Very nicely done!

I like my dragon flies (mostly because I see them storming the skies eating skeeters in the evenings ) but MrsND showed me once again yesterday why it's her camera, and not my camera



Oh, she also snapped this pic of a nice dragonfly that seemed attracted to her sandle strap colors.

Great detail!

I think she's got a bee fetish.



Probably because she knows I'm allergic to bees, that's why she likes them so much lol!

This bee pic is wonderful!

oldies but goodies

I really like the picture of the wasps.

They look like they are posing!

John

no kidding that's an awesome picture. They look very "stingy" though.. youch.

One from last night.

Dragonfly season is coming to an end but Pam managed this nice shot of a blue dragonfly eating a smaller bug on a railroad tie out at our deer camp on Saturday.

One of the most amazing "nature show" I've ever witnessed involved dragonflies at Henry Coe State Park in California. We backpacked down into a dry valley that had a small running stream, with a large pool where we camped. I was filling water bottles from the pool when the dragonflies emerged from whereever they hide during the heat of the day. Must've been a dozen or so - some in colors that I'd never seen here in KY - and they were all skimming just above the surface of the water in a hypnotic, almost-dance-like pattern. I swear I think they were doing perfectly choreographed Figure 8s as they fed on smaller flying insects. Probably watched them for a half hour or so, until it started getting closed to dusk and all the dragonflies vanished as quickly as they'd arrived. It's then that the bats came out, and began flying those same aerial patterns. If ever I've wished I had a high-end camera, that was it.

those wasps were nested under the lid of my lp gas tank,i went to check the amount used and they all turned to look at me. i went back to the house and got camera and raised the lid again,then on cue they all turned to stare at me just like before.