Mantis

[MOmilkman]

I'm a little "green" (pardon the pun) when it comes to mantises. I assume they are safe to handle? If I find one, I'd like to do a macro shoot in my homemade macro softbox.

That would be really cool.

I like your shots, very nice for using a telephoto

[johnray]

Hey, sorry for the late reply.
I my self am a little skittish when it comes to bugs with arms that are lined with spikes along the inside of its arms that are ment to hold its prey in place while it eats them, and there fore I never once let the mantis intentionaly crawl onto me(always handled it with a stick or put him into a container). Their rear ends can be fairly soft, so if you're brave enough to just pick him up, dont squeeze ^ ^.

[sai_kiran]

Beautiful pics.. Like the second one the most

[PWhite214]

I like to photos, good work.

I see no reason to buy "automatic" extension tubes. I use two sets of manual extension tubes made in China. They cost around $20 per set, including shipping. I mostly use them with a 50mm lens, though sometimes with zoom lenses.

Phil