Macro Photography Compilation: Spiders wasp insect fly bee

[EmperorArek]

great job my friend

[kulplei]

hi, have you tested with Canon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 IS ? how's the image quality, depth of field, auto focus when used with it?

Thank you

[Naturaldefenceplant]

@kulplei this lens has quite decent image quality for the price. f/3.5-5.6 ill not give you a very shallow depth of field however. Auto focus is not too bad, but not as soomthe as ultra sonic motor focus (USM)

[Robstar1619]

Amazing Macro captures!!!

[Naturaldefenceplant]

@SightInspired photostory i belive this is a free software you can get off the internet.

[bryronify]

awsome shots.. though I kinda feel creepy watching this...

[benryan1]

Hi, Can I ask for some advice. I've just bought a Nikon D5000 with an 18-55mm, a 55-200mm and a 70-200 (with macro) lens, but none of them can get a shot as close up as yours. Without buying a dedicated macro lens what would I need to buy to achieve shots as close up as yours? ie. extension tubes, close up filters etc. Also, what camera and lens do you use?

[Naturaldefenceplant]

For the majority of these shots i used canon 50D with 60mm dedicated macro lens + extension tubes.

The dedicated macro lens goes to 1:1 magnification (about 21mm across the frame), if you add extension tubes (i used 68mm of kenko extension) i achieve 2.5:1 (2.5x magnification).

Your lens, the 18-55mm, have a look at the specs it will have 'maximum magnification' with something like 1:5 (0.2x magnification) which means about 10cm across the frame.

[benryan1]

I'm looking at a Sigma Nikon Fit 105mm Macro 2.8 f2.8 EX DG. Do you think I'll still need extension tubes with this?

Thanks for your help

Ben

[Naturaldefenceplant]

as this is a dedicated macro lens it will go to 1:1 magnification (1x)

The majority of these shots were done at 2.5x magnification,(bar a few shots such as the bees).

[Naturaldefenceplant]

You will be able to get more magnification with extension tubes and/or teleconverter, but probably only close to 1:1 magnification.

If you are serious about macro a dedicated macro lens is really good to have as it will be much much sharper than the 18-55mm lens as it is optimised to close up work.

I think sigma offers fairly affordable macro lens, 50mm macro with extension tubes, say 68mm of kenko tubes you will easily get 2.5x magnification.

with this you probably need a flash too

:)

[RATLben]

@benryan1

it's because nikon sucks :D

[benryan1]

Fantastic shots... How do you get wasps and flies to stay in the one spot for you?

[Naturaldefenceplant]

some flys will stay on a leaf so you can get close enough, others are more difficult.

The wasp was on its nest at night time so it was not moving around so much.

One of the hardest insects to take pictures of is definately bees, they are always so busy!

[Naturaldefenceplant]

I would use this lens, see how it goes, then later you can always purchase some extension tubes for closer shots. But, for magnification of 1x or more the depth of field becomes very thin so you will need at least f8 or f10 for these shots. Without a flash that usually means very long shutter speeds which is difficult to use on moving insects. A flash i pretty much necessary for these type of pictures.

[eradanon]

you've got some talent with a camera