ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Thursday 30 June 2016

VERY TINY. (30/06/16)

This morning I tried to get some snaps of the very tiny flies that sit on tiny flowers. I popped a flash bracket on the camera and attached an LED lamp to it so that I could see to focus at 4x on the sensor. At 5x and 4x for that matter  the ring flash is too close to illuminate the subject. Last year I did try thick aluminium foil taped to it as a reflector  but it was a failure. I need a posh version of that Chinese twin strobe that has the strobes on Gorilla copy arms but it was so ticky tacky when I got one last year that I sent it back. Space is the problem as focus distance is only about an inch from the front of the physical lens not the front element which is set back about half an inch. Enough blather here is the snap Whitlow Grass sans fly._V0G0042

The Mule is coming along after a really desperate day involving angle grinders, torches and big bars. Just to remove half a UJ from the front differential. A new stone guard is well on the way and the drive shaft from the rear diff to the front arrived but not delivered by Hugh. Due to the torch the housing needs new seals and bearings but they are on the way as well. Thank Vernier for inventing a scale that measures accurately and bearing companies that can supply to measurement.

Whilst writing this post a mower deck came back and the tops of mower decks are teeming with insects. I got a big Tupperware box full and will go through it tomorrow. I know it’s cheating but being able to plug the camera into the computer for live view does make for an easy life. It does if the Pocket Wizards work and I can use three strobes to illuminate the job.

_MG_5743

I may even have a root through this lot tonight. It doesn’t look promising but it is awash with tiny creatures.

This is a great time of the year.

14 comments:

  1. Happy hunting! The flower is beautiful! Well captured.

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    1. Marie, it will keep me out of mischief.

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  2. You are the only person I know who isn't an ist of some sort who would get ecstatic over a tray of assorted insects. WEll apart from my brother who's an amateur ist.

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    1. Graham, I wonder about myself sometimes.

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  3. Hmmm!...I wonder what delights await in the lucky dip box?...[;o)

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    1. Trevor I'm not sure but I do know I'll not be able to identify most of them.

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  4. let us know how many critters you find Adrian.

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  5. Great set up. I'm sure you'll get the shots you're after!

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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    1. Mersad, we have a saying many a slip betwixt cup and lip. It was not as successful as I had hoped for.

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  6. I'm awaiting the revelation of the contents of your box with baited breath, Adrian! Dont leave it too long or they'll be shrivelled specimens. If I brought those into my house, Mrs P would soon eject them, closely followed by myself!

    All the best - - - Richard

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    1. Richard, Mrs P is very wise. Half the contents of the box are now camper van residents.

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  7. I hope there isn't a tick in that box, mind you could make an interesting image.

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    1. Douglas, there were lots of ticks a month ago but i've not seen one for a while. i have posted them before. Next time I get one I'll take a bit of video of it.

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