For those of you who do true macro (1:1) of insects,

[sk66]

How do you get those suckers to sit still long enough? Euthanize and pose them?

I have a 150mm f/2.8 Macro (1:1) and I just picked up a Nikon R1C1 lighting kit I want to mess around with.....

[i speak in math]

Patience. I do more than 1:1 in most cases. I use my flash to freeze any movement. Other than that, patience.

[kirbinster]

Didn't your lens come with a freeze gun like my 105 f/2.8 AF-S VR Micro? You use that to spray the area and it freezes the critters for like 90 seconds. Ha Ha !!!

Its hard. I have much better luck shooting things like dragonflies with my 70-300VR. I was out at a lake and a pond today and got some, maybe I'll post them later if I get a chance.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by i speak in math

Patience. I do more than 1:1 in most cases. I use my flash to freeze any movement. Other than that, patience.

I've got enough flash stuff...where do I purchase this "patience" stuff?

[sk66]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

Didn't your lens come with a freeze gun like my 105 f/2.8 AF-S VR Micro? You use that to spray the area and it freezes the critters for like 90 seconds. Ha Ha !!!

Its hard. I have much better luck shooting things like dragonflies with my 70-300VR. I was out at a lake and a pond today and got some, maybe I'll post them later if I get a chance.

There's a thought...liquid nitrogen! Most bugs will revive after being frozen...
Can get nice closeups with a long lens, but nothing like 1:1....

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by sk66

How do you get those suckers to sit still long enough? Euthanize and pose them?

Try and get 'em while they're busy



Some folk resort to pouring dry ice (CO2) over them to send them to sleep for a while but I prefer just to take my chances and try to get undisturbed subjects. Keep trying....sneak up on the wee suckers

[kirbinster]

Some folk resort to pouring dry ice (CO2) over them to send them to sleep for a while but I prefer just to take my chances and try to get undisturbed subjects. Keep trying....sneak up on the wee suckers

Wait a second, dry "ICE" is a solid, how do you pour it ?

[Maggie_M]

Capture the bugs (without getting bitten or stung) put them in the freezer for a few minutes to an hour. Take them out, pose them as you wish until they thaw and start moving. Some will live through this and some wont!

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

Wait a second, dry "ICE" is a solid, how do you pour it ?

You can pour it as it turns to gas as it's heavier than the air....stick the solid in a container and let the gas overflow I guess. Probably a good idea to know what you're doing if you're messing about with that sort of stuff though

[Asriel]

Most of the time they don't sit still you need a lot of patience & luck too! I used a reverse ring with my 18-55mm kit-lens and im just few inches away from my subject around 4-6 inches.