Close-up Capture - _TNY_7428S2
I use one of two lenses when I shoot macro. a 100mm which is more general purpose and goes to 1:1 magnification, though when coupled with a Raynox DCR-250 It gets much closer - about 2.5 or 2.6:1 or so. For real close-up work, nothing beats the Canon MP-E65mm though. This one *starts* at 1:1 and go all the way in to 5:1. The working distance is quite short though which coupled with no focus.(at all - not just no auto-focus so you focus by moving the camera) makes it a less than ideal choice for fast subjects.
Tiger beetles, like this female green tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris), absolutely fall into the "fast subject" category. They are blisteringly fast, both when chasing down prey as well as when trying to escape nosy photographers.
This one from Tyresta by in Tyresta National Park was a wonderful exception though. I believe she was in the process of depositing eggs which effectively made her unable to get away from me - and allowed me to get in real close (this is at 3.7:1 magnification) and capture lots of extra detail. This is in fact two exposures, focus stacked into a single shot using Zerene Stacker for a little extra depth of field.
I even had time for a shot video clip of her doing her thing. You can find it here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52092876707/
Right next to this little girl were two couples busy with the stage coming before laying eggs, like this: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52075912525/
Close-up Capture - _TNY_7428S2
I use one of two lenses when I shoot macro. a 100mm which is more general purpose and goes to 1:1 magnification, though when coupled with a Raynox DCR-250 It gets much closer - about 2.5 or 2.6:1 or so. For real close-up work, nothing beats the Canon MP-E65mm though. This one *starts* at 1:1 and go all the way in to 5:1. The working distance is quite short though which coupled with no focus.(at all - not just no auto-focus so you focus by moving the camera) makes it a less than ideal choice for fast subjects.
Tiger beetles, like this female green tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris), absolutely fall into the "fast subject" category. They are blisteringly fast, both when chasing down prey as well as when trying to escape nosy photographers.
This one from Tyresta by in Tyresta National Park was a wonderful exception though. I believe she was in the process of depositing eggs which effectively made her unable to get away from me - and allowed me to get in real close (this is at 3.7:1 magnification) and capture lots of extra detail. This is in fact two exposures, focus stacked into a single shot using Zerene Stacker for a little extra depth of field.
I even had time for a shot video clip of her doing her thing. You can find it here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52092876707/
Right next to this little girl were two couples busy with the stage coming before laying eggs, like this: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52075912525/