It Stayed Put! Pt. 3 - _TNY_6531

Most macro photographers consider 1:1 magnification as the definition of "real" macro photography which means that every time you take a shot with the macro lens and it isn't at the minimum focusing distance (ie 1:1) - it in fact isn't a real macro photo though most still consider it a "macro photo". Kinda weird with the clashing definitions really.

 

Using adapters, tubes or specialty lenses, it is of course possible to get closer, but at the same time you tend to need to come closer to the subject, meaning most high-mag shots are of smaller critters who don't have the common sense to get away from the huge lens being pushed up their nose.

 

Here is one of those times when I got really lucky though. This is a Laphria flava robber fly, one of the larger flies in Sweden and a powerful predator - just have a look at that tubular rostrum which they punch into their victims before injecting a venom which simultaneously dissolves their insides.

 

I am always very excited every time I see one of these (not that often), but this time I had the Canon MP-E65mm lens on the camera - a lens that *begins* at 1:1 and goes all the way to 5:1. This meant that I had to sneak up real close to the fly to get it in focus. At 1:1 it focuses at 101 mm (just under 4") which I somehow managed without it flying off so I increased the magnification and got even closer. This shot is at 2.2:1 magnification which means the front of the lens was about 60 mm (~2.4") from the fly's face.

 

Also, at f/9.5, the depth of field here is about 0.5 mm.

 

Part 1 (at 2.7:1) here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/50763372281/

 

Part 2 (at 2.2:1) here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51704727498/

 

For two shots at 1.2:1 and 1:1 showing the entire fly, go here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/50274977853/ and here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51025910848/

Done