Flower Beetle

[Bios.]

Flower Beetle by [[BIOSPHERE]], on Flickr



Flower Beetle by [[BIOSPHERE]], on Flickr


Found lots of the little beetles on a walk the other day and as I didn't have my macro lens I took one home and set up a little macro studio.


I used my macro lens with a set of cheap extension tubes which gives me nearly 2x magnification.


I would have liked a little more depth of field but as my tubes have no electrical connections I have to keep the lens stopped down so it's very difficult to focus with anything more than f/8.


Comments appreciated.

 

[cgipson1]

Nice shots.. could use a bit more even lighting on the beetle though! But considering your gear, nice detail on the bug!

 

[Bios.]

Thanks, yeah the beetle was so shiny that it just reflected and messed up the exposure when mounted on camera so I ended up holding the camera in one hand and flash in the other. It's kinda hard to keep the flash where you want it whilst trying to focus one handed at 2x magnification!

 

[cgipson1]

Thanks, yeah the beetle was so shiny that it just reflected and messed up the exposure when mounted on camera so I ended up holding the camera in one hand and flash in the other. It's kinda hard to keep the flash where you want it whilst trying to focus one handed at 2x magnification!

hahahaha... yes... been there, done that! My recent Geranium shots were shot that way... Nikon 105 macro, TC20E 2x TC, and a diffused SB-900 in my left hand! http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/macro-photography/279668-stalking-wild-weed.html


For the shiny carapace... use a diffuser on the flash! That will also fix the uneven lighting.... I use one of these alot for smaller stuff Amazon.com: Fotodiox 6"x8" Softbox for Nikon Flash, Canon Speedlight, for Nikon SB-600, SB-800, SB-900 Flash, Canon Speedlite 380EX, 430EX, 430EX II, 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II, Vivita Flash, Sunpack, Nissin,Sigma, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonica Lumix

I did brace the sides of it up with plastic.. as it wants to collapse a bit while shooting. Works very well though... especially for the price!

 

[orionmystery]

Nice shots....great looking beetle.

 

[Bios.]

Thanks.

I already use a diffuser, i've got a lumiquest mini softbox that I have modified a little, pretty similar to the one you posted. I used to make my own but then I spent a month in the rainforest where bits of cardboard and tissue paper stuck together with tape just doesn't hack it! I was thinking about making some sort of light tent but the beetle was fed up by then and wouldn't stay still.