Common Fly (Syrphidae)

[biggerry]

I have developed the upmost respect for those nature photographers - the patience required to sit still and try and capture insects airborne in their native environment is astounding. I had a go with a common drone fly and it nearly drove me around teh bend.

What do you nature guys/gals do to capture flying insects like dragon flys, bees etc? Is there some trick that I am missing like spraying them with alcohol or somethign to get them to fly slower?

The drone fly is probably the easiest since it hovers more or less in the same spot...





Darn leafy thin in teh way....

[blacknstormy]

Hey Biggerry Well done - it's bloody frustrating at times huh ???
I can't figure out what fstop you've used ... tried on Opanda, and it is giving me a reading of 0 ... fully manual lens ???? If you use a flash, you can up the dof, and get a little more in focus, but I reckon you're doing well
Get out there and shoot some more insects - the more you shoot, the 'slightly' easier it gets
Hugs
Rel

[Killakoala]

Whatever the technique you are using to shoot these little critters seem to be working fine. I salute anyone who can photograph insects in the air like that. Great work.

[ATJ]

Great shots, Gerry. I like the first and the third the most.

I agree with Rel that you could use a flash to allow you to stop down a bit and increase the DOF - at the very least it gives you more flexibility.

I guess you were using the PK-13 which is why the f/stop is recorded as 0. Set up as a non-CPU lens and then you will get the f/stop information in the Exif. It will be the f/stop on the lens rather than the effective f/stop (taking into account the tube and the bellows extension) but it is better than nothing.

I don't often attempt shots of insects while they are flying, but when I do it is a lot of hit and miss.

[biggerry]

fully manual lens ????

PK-13 on the 55mm micro, hence the botchy exif data. I was typically using f/11 and f/8 with 1/350 or 1/250 and iso 200,i found this gave pretty good exposure in the bright morning light, however in hingsight i should have probably gone for something smaller..

stop down a bit and increase the DOF - at the very least it gives you more flexibility

agreed, now that would a sight to see, flash in one hand, camera in the other and using the left leg to shoo the little bugger in position

I salute anyone who can photograph insects in the air

most definitely, it is a hair pulling experience every time I have found.

Get out there and shoot some more insects

will do

Cheers all!

[ATJ]

agreed, now that would a sight to see, flash in one hand, camera in the other and using the left leg to shoo the little bugger in position

You could always mount the flash on the camera. That's what the hot shoe is for.

[surenj]

Gerry,

Nice photos! How big is this thing and where in the world did you find it?? I love the second for it's angle and composition. Perhaps try to get some more detail out of the blurry wings?

Yeah , mount it on the camera dude!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STROBELLA-UMBRELLA-FLASH-DIFFUSER-PORTABLE-STRAP-HOLDER_W0QQitemZ200405518893QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraFlashUnits_JN?hash=item2ea9198a2d

[biggerry]

You could always mount the flash on the camera. That's what the hot shoe is for.

damn, all this time i have been wondering what that funny little thing on teh top of the camera is for...

Nice photos! How big is this thing and where in the world did you find it?? I love the second for it's angle and composition. Perhaps try to get some more detail out of the blurry wings?

Yeah , mount it on the camera dude!

Its probably got a body length of about 0.5" (12.7mm) so they are pretty small, this one and numerous others were hanging around a herb plant in the backyard...

Might try these again with a much smaller aperture...

[aim54x]

Amazing shots there Gerry. I am amazed that you have managed to get these with the 55 + PK-13. I love the detail that you have captured. As already said a little more DOF would be nice.