TKiMedia In reply to TKiMedia [2013-11-30 21:06:33 +0000 UTC]

No Problem, got to love flowers and geometry! 

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GiovediStorm-Shade In reply to The-Dude-L-Bug [2013-10-02 03:29:19 +0000 UTC]

You do awesome photographs of bugs.  I wish mine were as good as yours

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The-Dude-L-Bug In reply to GiovediStorm-Shade [2013-10-02 03:36:01 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much, but don't go beatin yerself up.

Your close-ups aren't as bad as you think.

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GiovediStorm-Shade In reply to The-Dude-L-Bug [2013-10-02 11:10:19 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

I wish I could afford a more powerful lens.  The one I have now is a couple of decades old and I bought it used for $400.  Photography is still not a cheap hobby even though we longer have to pay for film and development.

And thanks for all the faves.  I appreciate it!

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The-Dude-L-Bug In reply to GiovediStorm-Shade [2013-10-02 16:35:47 +0000 UTC]

LOL! Oh very true. I was lucky that had a healthy budget when I got my stuff, but I'm well aware that most of the parts to this hobby are expensive.

Whenever I'm asked about gear though, I always I try to recommend the low cost solutions first - like extension tubes & magnifying filters. 

A new macro lens is really cool and of course a big benefit,

but if you already have some lenses (even older ones), you can get some incredible macro shots combining them with a reverse ring.

If ya have questions, don't hesitate to ask, I'll help if I can...

or try to point ya to better advice if I don't.

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GiovediStorm-Shade In reply to The-Dude-L-Bug [2013-10-02 21:54:30 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the advice!  I'm now looking into some of the more affordable equipment that you suggested   Definitely cheaper than some of the $1000+ lenses I was looking at... and can only dream about at this point in my life. 

I love taking pictures of bugs, though.  It makes my boyfriend crazy because he can't stand looking at them.  I tell him it's better than having a mounted bug collection because the bugs get to live.  I don't think he appreciates that aspect of it.

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The-Dude-L-Bug In reply to GiovediStorm-Shade [2013-10-03 16:02:22 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for the

Of the other methods I mentioned, I happen to prefer using extension tubes over diopter filters for a couple of reasons.

1) They're just empty tubes. You don't have any extra optical errors being added by glass elements or need to worry about extra surfaces that can catch dust & need cleaning.

2) They're universal. They go between the camera body and the lens, so they aren't limited to a filter size of a single lens.

Your spider closeup "Shy Girl" is pretty good especially considering it was the EF-S18-55. 

I'd show what the combo of tubes would be like on it, but I don't have that lens. My only EF-S glass is the 15-85 that came with my 7D (it's a GREAT lens). 

I could take a few shot with it & the tubes if you'd like. I will say that the tubes do tend to give better working distances on fixed length lenses though.

You can see the effect a set of Kenko Tubes has on my EF24-105 here the-dude-l-bug.deviantart.com/…

Oh & I can relate about the issue with your Bf. My family thinks my bug shots are nice, but they aren't as fascinated by insects as I am. LOL! Mind you, our cat is always curious when I start looking at something in the house that intently.

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GiovediStorm-Shade In reply to The-Dude-L-Bug [2013-10-05 11:11:06 +0000 UTC]

Thanks - I'm looking into ordering some extension tubes this week  

About "Shy Girl": I happened upon her when I had the EF-S18-55 in and she suddenly drew her legs in, so I got off one shot really quickly, but when I went to change the lens she darted away.  So at least I got the one shot

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The-Dude-L-Bug In reply to GiovediStorm-Shade [2013-10-05 16:26:48 +0000 UTC]

That happens to me all the time.

I can't tell ya how many times I've walked outside & found a really cool bug.

Unfortunately, by the time I rush back into the house, grab the cam & head back out the door, turn it and the flash on, take the lenscap off, check the settings....

I get one pic and it flies away....

or crawls into a position that I can barely see, let alone get a shot.

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