First play with flash

[marlunn]

Okay, got a 2nd hand SB600 speedlight for the camera, had a play today - first attempt with macro and the flash on camera - looong way to go, with lots of learning and changes etc until I get it as i want it (off camera !) but its a start - will put a few more up when I process them

First one Odontomyia viridula

[Shadowman]

Nicely done on the insect.

[deetheturk]

Looks good to me Mark, enjoy your new toy

[marlunn]

Cheers John,

Thanks David, lots of playing to do to get to the lighting i want but its a start

This is a horsefly - either Tabanus Bovinus or Tabanus sudeticus - the pads point to bovinus but the coloration points to sudeticus but either way its a voracious blood sucker so worth not getting close to!

[deetheturk]

Another nice capture Mark, I hate those guys they can give you a nasty bite!

[Geoff F]

Am I seeing a single band across the eye? Also that frons marking does tend to suggest T. bromius to me?

Size alone should separate these. Bovinus/sudeticus wing length is 18 mm or larger. The others are 13 mm or smaller.

I was attempting to photograph some T. bovinus yesterday and really struggled to get shots at a suitable angle which gave a clear eye banding.

Regarding flash. In many situations it is the only option for fast enough shutter speeds with narrow apertures, and without excessive shadows; but there are also limitations and potential problems. Particularly with direct forward facing flash; although that is usually the simplest method when shooting through holes in the foliage etc.

I normally set my camera manually to suit the scene then with the flash in ETTL mode, I vary the flash output compensation as required. Typical settings for me would be 1/200 F14 Iso 200/400. The Iso needs changing when you start to require excessive or very little flash compensation.

Sometimes I do fit a Lastolite Mini Apollo to the flash unit which slightly helps to reduce hard shadows and gives better flash coverage when really close. But as always, there are reasons for and against this practice.

[marlunn]

Geoff, I have looked at the other the shots, have to say I dont see a band on the eyes in any of them - it was big but hard to 'compare' as there were a number of them but all the same size as far I could tell

This one is a new one for me - Volucella zonaris - I think !

[vaez]

very nice i enjoy

[vaez]

Cheers John,

Thanks David, lots of playing to do to get to the lighting i want but its a start

This is a horsefly - either Tabanus Bovinus or Tabanus sudeticus - the pads point to bovinus but the coloration points to sudeticus but either way its a voracious blood sucker so worth not getting close to!

fav this photo special color eyes

[marlunn]

Thank you Vaez, glad you like them

[Ziggy]

Looks like to are off to a great start Mark.

[Geoff F]

You are probably correct with Volucella zonaria, Mark but the three similar species of V. inanis, inflata and zonaria are separated by examining the sternites; which isn't really much use for the average real life shot.

But zonaria tends to be more of a chestnut brown on the thorax, scutellum and tergite 2 instead of yellow or bright orange. I have found them here but they are mostly a south east species, but spreading so the Hoverfly Recording Scheme would probably be interested in your record. Possibly they are spreading from the Bristol area where there is a small established group.

Incidentally, I think I have an image of my Tabanus somewhere handy so I may post it in the bugs thread just as a comparison.

[marlunn]

Thanks Jim, a start certainly but today was fairlyt easy as lots of good natural light - I think I have along way to go to get close to Geoffs skill in this area.

Geoff, will be interested to see your image of Tabanus, cheers.

[Geoff F]

I've just posted it on page 9

Show Us Your Bugs

Probably I have a better angle on the eye but not so good on the abdomen.

[marlunn]

yep very clear line - may well be the angle of my shots then as you say, none of mine have a line visible.

[gregj1763]

Great photo's Mark. The second one is stunning

[marlunn]

Cheers Greg, appreciated

[Geoff F]

Something to think about based on the photo on that Bugs thread.

Tabanus autumnalis (Large Marsh Horsefly)

You are just about in the right area. Normally south of a line between the Severn and the Wash but spreading north. Mostly coastal or marshy low lying river areas.

[IzzieK]

Very good shots for a first. I have to learn that off-camera flash technique soon instead of yawning my head off when I started taking it out...

[marlunn]

Cheers Geoff, will look at that on line - not in my book (its a bit basic on flies)

Thanks Izzie, lots of work to do on getting it off camera and set up - going to be fun trying out new settings until I get it as close as possible to the end product in camera, the hoverfly had some TLC in Elements to get to look like it does here