Bugs and a bird

[Copy_Kot]

I walked into a tree branch taking these and almost knocked myself out cold… I hope someone likes at least one of them.

They were all taken with my Canon 300mm f/4L IS USM 2X TC and full set of Kenko extension tubes… except the chickadee, I think it was taken with just the lens and a 1.4X TC (it was watching two hawks fly over while sitting on a feeder). None of the images have been cropped.















Thank you for looking.

[payn817]

The hoverfly (?) on the blue flower is the winner here, IMO. I knew someone would prove that macro is dangerous! Luckily it wasn't me.

I know you didn't ask for critique, and I apologize if it is out of line. Anyway, the light is just a little harsh on your other insects here. A diffuser, or a very slight amount of fill flash (rear sync) would help balance it some. Other than that, the detail seems to be there. Keep shootin them bugs!

[Knight]

Cool Captures what was your working distance on these ?

[Copy_Kot]

Thank you Payn and Knight.

Payn, I agree with you about the lighting... which is horrible. They were all taken with natural sun light, and if I moved my lens just a very little bit, the exposure would change. I can't help but wonder if a closer working distance would cure that problem.

Knight, the working distance was about four feet (too much). I'm sure I could have gotten closer if I had taken the teleconverter off... but then I would lose magnification

[payn817]

I do believe a closer working distance helps, especially if the direct sun is blocked by your shadow. That is some great working distance. Did you shoot these manual (exposure)?

[Copy_Kot]

Yup Payn, all were taken manual exposure. I just remembered that I have a big plastic panel in my garage that I could have used to defuse the light... arrrgggghhhh next time!

[Bevb]

Nice job Copy, its never easy getting this bug gering around game right is it? but i think you have done a good job, iv never thought of using a converter, i have just changed to the 55-200 zoom and the 20 & 12mm tubes and that gets right in on the subject, DOF a little shallow but i quite like the effect, have you done anymore about the 50mm reverse project?

[Loupey]

I too like the blue flower shot.

I've never tried using TC and Tubes at the same time. So what arrangement did you use:

300mm + TC + Tubes
or
300mm + Tubes + TC

There is a difference.

[Copy_Kot]

Thank you Bev and Loupey.

Bev, I'm not 100% sure about the reversed 50mm yet. I might end up with just a dedicated macro lens... too many options

Loupey, it was 300mm + TC + Tubes. It is really hard to find your subject set up like that... your subject usually flies away before you can focus on it (lol).

[Bevb]

With this set up Copy do you use a Tripod or is it handheld?, i tried first of with my 70-200 + 20mm tube and found it hard not to get the shakes keeping it steady