Thematic Show me your insects

**ffking** · 08-18-2016, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

That is a fantastic capture, especially nailing the focus. I've tried to get a DIF several times, with one so-so success (it's a chrome tucked away among the other 50,000). They do hover briefly, but then shoot off faster than the eye can follow. I am impressed.
And there is a peaceful fly from yesterday evening in the garden.

manual focus on landing point, 8fps and scores of exposures - easy ;D

photolady95 · 08-18-2016, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by ffking

easy

For you maybe.

I have tried capturing them in flight too, but so far nothing. But then I don't do burst shooting.

Excellent capture btw. TFS.

**ffking** · 08-18-2016, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by photolady95

But then I don't do burst shooting.

sometimes it's the only way - my reactions simply aren't fast enough -I just watch with my eye away from the viewfinder and an electronic cable release in hand and start firing when it gets close to the perch - and yes, I do have plenty of pictures of a wooden stump and a blue sky

photolady95 · 08-18-2016, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by ffking

sometimes it's the only way - my reactions simply aren't fast enough -I just watch with my eye away from the viewfinder and an electronic cable release in hand and start fining when it gets close to the perch - and yes, I do have plenty of pictures of a wooden stump and a blue sky.

That last, tickled my funny bone.

**WPRESTO** · 08-18-2016, 03:48 PM - **1 Like**

A twig and the sky. Should I post my collection of artistic captures?
Another insect from this week, probably the most common butterfly in this area.

Doundounba · 08-18-2016, 04:37 PM - **3 Likes**

A marsh snipe fly - new species for me!

**WPRESTO** · 08-18-2016, 07:08 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Doundounba

A marsh snipe fly - new species for me!

That is about as perfect an insect photo as I've seen. Not sure I want to follow it with one of my own, but I suppose I must. A tiny little moth, which like most of its kin, is just white.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

**rgknief60** · 08-18-2016, 11:07 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by WPRESTO

Not sure I want to follow it with one of my own, but I suppose I must.

Thanks for doing that. I appreciate it!

This is the last and closest picture I took of the Large Mikweed Bugs. The bugs are gone. The image below is resized from the 1920x1200 pixel crop.

There was too much movement at 1/6 second for the K-1's Pixel Shift to work. I finally figured out how to extract all 4 images from the K-1 PS raw file using DCRaw.
There is a windows version. If you are interested, the command for ProPhoto 16bit is:

dcraw32 -v -T -6 -s all -o 4 rgk_9270.pef

Note: Substitute "rgk_9270.pef" with the name of the file you wish to process. You can also extract as JPGs, much less space taken.

There is a DCRaw fork for PS images, DCRawPS by forum member Tomtor. It has options for post processing PS images not found in any other program
to date. I am in the process of figuring out the options. Both DCRaw and DCRawPS are command line programs.

Now that I have a way to extract the files, I will probably use Pixel Shift for tripod macro work, and maybe even handheld with faster shutter speed.

Think of Pixel Shift as a mirror up 4-shot burst mode. That's it's real advantage for me. A properly combined OOC PS image is pure gravy on top.

If there is slight breeze, as here, you have a better chance that one of the four shots will be in focus at the point you desire.

Milkweed Bug Detail, on Flickr

photolady95 · 08-20-2016, 03:06 PM - **1 Like**

Well, I tried burst mode.......didn't work for me.

I found this Red-shouldered bug on the Hibiscus plant today. I have several shots of these bugs and so far they are misnamed, anything from Assassin bug nymph to Box Elder bug. But Red-Shouldered is their real common name, their Latin name is, Jadera haematoloma.

**WPRESTO** · 08-21-2016, 06:28 AM - **1 Like**

Peek-a-boo

sculptor666 · 08-21-2016, 08:09 AM - **2 Likes**

stink bug nymph

**WPRESTO** · 08-21-2016, 04:28 PM - **2 Likes**

This fly is very small, about 3mm.

**rgknief60** · 08-21-2016, 09:44 PM

Originally posted by photolady95

Well, I tried burst mode.......didn't work for me.

It doesn't work all the time for me either. But I've gotten a few I'd not keep otherwise.

The one disadvantage is the processing time by the camera immediately after.
You can't immediately take another shot, so that's important to keep in mind.

**WPRESTO** · 08-22-2016, 03:52 AM - **1 Like**

Hoverflies (?) of this type were visiting flowers in a planter just outside our front door. They come and go quickly, so the trick is to frame & focus more quickly. More often than not, the fly was gone before the shutter was tripped.

photolady95 · 08-23-2016, 07:59 PM - **4 Likes**

Walt, in honor of your grasshopper I give you my version:

Same one, different view:

08-18-2016, 12:24 PM	#3018
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,039	Originally posted by photolady95 But then I don't do burst shooting. sometimes it's the only way - my reactions simply aren't fast enough -I just watch with my eye away from the viewfinder and an electronic cable release in hand and start firing when it gets close to the perch - and yes, I do have plenty of pictures of a wooden stump and a blue sky Last edited by ffking; 08-22-2016 at 01:50 AM.

08-18-2016, 11:07 PM - 2 Likes	#3023
rgknief60 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 980	Originally posted by WPRESTO Not sure I want to follow it with one of my own, but I suppose I must. Thanks for doing that. I appreciate it! This is the last and closest picture I took of the Large Mikweed Bugs. The bugs are gone. The image below is resized from the 1920x1200 pixel crop. There was too much movement at 1/6 second for the K-1's Pixel Shift to work. I finally figured out how to extract all 4 images from the K-1 PS raw file using DCRaw. There is a windows version. If you are interested, the command for ProPhoto 16bit is: dcraw32 -v -T -6 -s all -o 4 rgk_9270.pef Note: Substitute "rgk_9270.pef" with the name of the file you wish to process. You can also extract as JPGs, much less space taken. There is a DCRaw fork for PS images, DCRawPS by forum member Tomtor. It has options for post processing PS images not found in any other program to date. I am in the process of figuring out the options. Both DCRaw and DCRawPS are command line programs. Now that I have a way to extract the files, I will probably use Pixel Shift for tripod macro work, and maybe even handheld with faster shutter speed. Think of Pixel Shift as a mirror up 4-shot burst mode. That's it's real advantage for me. A properly combined OOC PS image is pure gravy on top. If there is slight breeze, as here, you have a better chance that one of the four shots will be in focus at the point you desire. Milkweed Bug Detail, on Flickr Last edited by rgknief60; 08-18-2016 at 11:24 PM.

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08-18-2016, 11:03 AM	#3016
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,039	Originally posted by WPRESTO That is a fantastic capture, especially nailing the focus. I've tried to get a DIF several times, with one so-so success (it's a chrome tucked away among the other 50,000). They do hover briefly, but then shoot off faster than the eye can follow. I am impressed. And there is a peaceful fly from yesterday evening in the garden. manual focus on landing point, 8fps and scores of exposures - easy ;D

08-18-2016, 11:53 AM	#3017
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Originally posted by ffking easy For you maybe. I have tried capturing them in flight too, but so far nothing. But then I don't do burst shooting. Excellent capture btw. TFS.

08-18-2016, 02:34 PM	#3019
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Originally posted by ffking sometimes it's the only way - my reactions simply aren't fast enough -I just watch with my eye away from the viewfinder and an electronic cable release in hand and start fining when it gets close to the perch - and yes, I do have plenty of pictures of a wooden stump and a blue sky. That last, tickled my funny bone.

08-18-2016, 04:37 PM - 3 Likes	#3021
Doundounba Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montréal QC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,351	A marsh snipe fly - new species for me!

08-20-2016, 03:06 PM - 1 Like	#3024
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Well, I tried burst mode.......didn't work for me. I found this Red-shouldered bug on the Hibiscus plant today. I have several shots of these bugs and so far they are misnamed, anything from Assassin bug nymph to Box Elder bug. But Red-Shouldered is their real common name, their Latin name is, Jadera haematoloma.

08-21-2016, 08:09 AM - 2 Likes	#3026
sculptor666 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 675	stink bug nymph

08-21-2016, 09:44 PM	#3028
rgknief60 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 980	Originally posted by photolady95 Well, I tried burst mode.......didn't work for me. It doesn't work all the time for me either. But I've gotten a few I'd not keep otherwise. The one disadvantage is the processing time by the camera immediately after. You can't immediately take another shot, so that's important to keep in mind.

08-23-2016, 07:59 PM - 4 Likes	#3030
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Walt, in honor of your grasshopper I give you my version: Same one, different view: