Reverse Lens Macro - Garden Spider

[BulldogMom]

Had some fun late this evening trying out the macro technique discribed in the DPS blog. I used my Sigma 28-70mm and my Canon 50mm.

This little spider was about 1/2 inch long and sitting on the leaf of a tomato plant. The leaf was moving a little in the breeze so it took many many shots to actually get him in the frame.

[jiminyClickit]

BulldogMom,

Isn't it a whole other world? No one can ask more than this, that you got a 1/2-inch moving object at all is enough for me. It's good, but you and I know a professional would get the teeth and moustache as well. And that's OK. You got a spider image that a Naturalist could identify the critter by. Good enough.

For my curiousity, how far away was your front lens element? I have to be about 3 - 4 inches, so I can often hold leaf/stem with the little finger/left hand

[BulldogMom]

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

BulldogMom,

Isn't it a whole other world? No one can ask more than this, that you got a 1/2-inch moving object at all is enough for me. It's good, but you and I know a professional would get the teeth and moustache as well. And that's OK. You got a spider image that a Naturalist could identify the critter by. Good enough.

For my curiousity, how far away was your front lens element? I have to be about 3 - 4 inches, so I can often hold leaf/stem with the little finger/left hand

I think it was about 3 inches maybe 2 not sure. I don't know if I want to hold the leaf, I don't want him to bite me!!! Big coward here.

I didn't think it was too bad for my first attempt. I'll try again this evening if I have time.

I know I have some very large spiders in my yard and if I got within 3 or 4 inches of one of them with these two lenses stacked like this I'd get a good picture of their eyeballs! How do I know I have these large spiders? Glad you asked. One walked across my knee one day while I was sitting on the ground and I could feel ever step he took. Creepy. His body was about the size of one of those "shooter" marbles. Remember those?

[jiminyClickit]

BulldogMom,

It is good; I'm spoiled by seeing the ones from the guys who specialize in Macrophotography. I want to be happy with what I've got - and then someone shows me the eyeballs you imagine! You did a really good thing in getting some light to penetrate the legs, shows dimension and "life."

Glassies, or the chrome ballbearings? I remember shooters, but never imagined them with 8 legs. That's a great test of courage, having one walk slowly over your knee. Or for trying out your vertical high jump, depending on the day, and size of spider.

Here's my favorite kind. The mouthparts are too small to penetrate our skin:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3116/...da7362c535.jpg

And they do have eyes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/...604a06ffab.jpg

[BulldogMom]

Glassies, they were always prettier!

Great pics! I came across about a thousand little wormy things in a park yesterday. I tried and tried but just couldn't get a good shot, just couldn't seem to get them in focus.

I need more practice with this reverse lens thing but it will be fun.

I'll post another of my fav macro shots so far, stay tuned.