I'm a newbie at photography as you can tell from my efforts. I dabble with macro but in the field if you get my drift and I primarily use an older D FA 100mm F2.8 ( non WR ). As you know that only gets you to 1:1 so I have no answers but rather I urge the OP to continue to ask questions
especially by sending a PM to those members who seems to get " it " and ask them how they did it.
Since the OP likes insects, I specifically ask that this thread ( which has photos from Macro and non Macro equipment and various types of " targets " ) be looked at and to please consider joining us:
Pollinators in action - Page 38 - PentaxForums.com
everyone else is welcomed too.