The munching end

[bugmeister]

of a buff-tip moth caterpillar. I found a small mass of them munching their way along a twig and this one stayed still long enough for a closeup

 

 

EOS5Dii, MPE65, MR14 ringflash, 1/800 @ f16 manual

[NannyFerret]

Couldn't you get any closer, Bugs?      Brilliant capture!

[annie]

now to me this is fantastic, you can do all the stacking with a dead beastie that you want, but to get this close and so much detail and to savour the very moment of a real life capture is what it's all about. love this bugs

[FUJI]

Incredible detail Bugsy.........The MPE65 is an amazing lens....I often wish that they made them to fit SONY cameras:

 

If I do have a slight misgiving it is that the flash highlights look a bit harsh................I use a DIY diffuser on my DSLR for macro work............I couldn't get on with a ringflash so I sold it:

 

FUJI

[KateW]

Wow, that's what I call a close-up!

[fuzzyedges]

very good

Its a busy image, looks like he is vanishing up his own -----

[Beth]

Gosh, what an excellent shot.  I'm amazed at the detail you've caught here......lovely.

[Barbara]

Brilliant!!!

[bugmeister]

Incredible detail Bugsy.........The MPE65 is an amazing lens....I often wish that they made them to fit SONY cameras:

 

If I do have a slight misgiving it is that the flash highlights look a bit harsh................I use a DIY diffuser on my DSLR for macro work............I couldn't get on with a ringflash so I sold it:

 

FUJI

Hi Fuji, as a fellow macro-ist, you know flash is essential when working at this kind of range, but a diffused top or even side mounted flash isn't practical for these. This particular shot was taken at at less than 3 inches from the caterpillar so a top flash would have caused all kinds of shadows simply from the front of the lens itself.. There's no easy answer to that one but the front of the flash is clouded already as a sort of diffuser and I routinely reduce the flash intensity and play with the ratio to get some shadows.

[Phil]

Yikes!

[FUJI]

Hi Fuji, as a fellow macro-ist, you know flash is essential when working at this kind of range, but a diffused top or even side mounted flash isn't practical for these. This particular shot was taken at at less than 3 inches from the caterpillar so a top flash would have caused all kinds of shadows simply from the front of the lens itself.. There's no easy answer to that one but the front of the flash is clouded already as a sort of diffuser and I routinely reduce the flash intensity and play with the ratio to get some shadows.

Thanks for your detailed reply, yes, I do understand your problem now, I was forgetting that with an MPE 65 fitted, a top diffuser is impractical.......as a great believer in lateral thinking and DIY solutions, wold it be possible to diffuse your ring flash even further by fitting a ring or rings of translucent hard plastic ( yoghurt pot lids?) .....or.....a simple wrap of kitchen towel?

Just a thought.

Keep those amazing close ups coming please.......all the creepy crawlies will be hiding again soon.

FUJI