Except for the lantern bugs and mantis images, all were shot with a 40D, MPE65 and MT24EX with DIY concave diffuser.
The amazing lantern bug Pyrops whiteheadi from Danum Valley. Surely one of the best catches of the whole trip! You can also check out the other type of lantern bug - Laternaria ruhli i photographed in Endau Rompin.
And of course, the prettiest Theopropus elegans I have ever seen, so far. She made the trip even more complete! LOL.
A long necked longhorn beetle: Gnoma subfasciata. Never seen anything like this before!
Many of these red assassin bugs in Danum Valley. They were found either preying on other arthropods or mating :D. This one was preying on a beetle. Merged from two images because the subjects were too big for the MPE65.
Another longhorn beetle: Borneochroma shutaea (Bentanachs & Foo 2008). Check out the amazing blue on it!
As predacious as those red assassin bugs are, sometimes they become prey themselves. This big and beautiful lynx spider caught one for lunch!
Also found many of these nice looking shield bug, Pygoplatys sp. Also merged in CS3 from two images.
And those we didn't quite manage to capture :(. Oh well, I will get these shy lantern bugs that always stay so high up on trees someday! Heavily cropped because like I said, they were too high up on trees!
That is it for the Danum Valley trip. I hope to make it to Maliau Basin next year!
Absolutely astounding photographs!
ReplyDeleteI think I can see evidence of the twin flash, but you diffusers make it almost impossible to tell - very nice. I presume all of these were taken with the MP-E65 - have you figured out a good flash diffuser combination for the 100mm macro? Many of the subjects I shoot are too large for the 65mm.
Thanks Ted. All taken with the MPE65/MT24EX except for the lantern bugs and mantis shots.
ReplyDeleteDiffuser for the MPE/MT24EX: http://orionmystery.blogspot.com/2010/04/quick-update-on-cup-diffuser-for-mt.html
For 1:1 and smaller mag, I've seen great result with DIY diffusers. I even made one snoot-diffuser like this:
http://orionmystery.blogspot.com/2010/07/diy-snoot-diffuser.html
But i'd recommend that you put your speedlight on a flash bracket, diffused with a big diffuser. Refer to these "Macro Rig" threads in a few forums for ideas :)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=142566&highlight=macro+rig
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/780820
The same concave diffuser for the MPE65/MT24EX can work on the 100mm too. Just make a bigger version of it. A friend of mine DIYed one for his Sigma 150/SB900 (Nikon D90) combo :)
ReplyDeleteNice Macro!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bemenwong.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kurt. If you didn't use the concave diffuser for the lantern bug and mantis shots, what did you use - the DIY snoot diffuser?
ReplyDeleteHi Ted, those were taken with the Sigma 150mm on tripod. All with Live View to avoid MLU vibration. Some with reflector to fill in light.
ReplyDeleteMantis shot: live view, 2sec timer
Exposure 0.1 sec (1/10)
Aperture f/11.0
Focal Length 150 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Lantern bug: live view, 2sec timer,
Exposure 1.6
Aperture f/10.0
Focal Length 150 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias +1/3 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Ah, natural light - that makes sense now. Marvelous photographs.
ReplyDelete