Mantis Macro

[Shadowman]

Nice, I feel like a voyeur for some reason.

[Stagecoach]

Hi Brian,

I know absolutely nothing about bridge cameras, P&Ss or those other types I hear mentioned now and again, is it an MFT or MTF and I recall a 4/3rd or is that 1 and 1/3rd

You ask if there is a bridge camera that can do this, I don't know but it depends what you regard as 'this'. I use magnifications of 1:1 or greater have a lens that gives superior IQ and use a wide variation and cost range of lighting. The focal length of my lens and acceptable apertures used determine the DoFs I can achieve which will determine what is or what is not possible.

There was a post a short time ago with a link to someone's site/tutorial who was using a non DSLR with really exceptional results, but I also got the impression he was using specialist lenses.

I would suggest you investigate the macro results from non DSLRs, take no notice of those that tell you a certain type of camera will do it, only take notice of the images those cameras have produced and at the sizes you are interested in. As an example my requirement is to produce high IQ bug macro images at 1200 px width for screen viewing.

If you do consider the DSLR route you do not need a top of the range model but I would suggest that it at least has means of triggering external flashes. Others can provide more advice and knowledge on present models than I can.

The other thing of course is technique but the greatest one is patience, the only way pic No 2 could be achieved was to get the sensor well aligned with eye and mouth on a bug that follows your every move with his head, decides to have a sway now and again and has wings

Grahame

[Bobobird]

I will give it another WOW.

[Otavio]

Hi, Grahame. Very nice images, with great level of details!Thanks for sharing.

[Bobobird]

Just had to come back in and had to give them another WOW....

[Stagecoach]

John, Bobo, Otavio,

Thanks for commenting, I'll let Manti know that his modelling skills are appreciated

Grahame

[Brownbear]

Hi Grahame,

He's truly gorgeous... I'm inspired and hope to find one of own.

Hi Christina,

Thanks.

It was great to see him round again so I just could not resist the opportunity to get the gear out. The intention was to try and get both the eyes and mouth in focus this time which took a fair bit of manipulation and I need to find an easier and smoother way of moving a heavy flower pot sitting on newspaper around on the worktop.

Grahame

[deetheturk]

Hi Grahame,

Your Mantis might be of better quality,but can it do this? lolJust a bit of friendly banter

Cheers Davy

[Stagecoach]

Hi David

I saw this image whilst doing a google image search and it's taken by amateur photographer, Eco Suparman, a university student from Borneo, Indonesia. He came across the mantis on a fern in a cemetery in the Ambawang River Village. It's also included in a series of 'strange motorcycle pics'.

There are some similar ferns in my garden but I already have a plan for a stage prop when he next returns

Grahame

[deetheturk]

Hi Grahame,

Thanks for the background info,my better half saw it on Facebook and I immediately thought of your image.

Cheers David

[DanK]

Excellent images!

Re using f/32: if you are shooting Nikon, that is the effective f/stop rather than the physical f/stop, right? If so, my guess is that these will look fine printed at A4. I shoot Canons, which show physical rather than effective f/stops for macro work, and I have printed things up to f/22 at that size with good results. I don't think I have printed anything larger than that with a physical f/stop higher than perhaps f/13 or so.

[ClaudioG]

Great images Graham..kinda burst my bubble..i had some Mantis shots.......saw yours..the end