Thanks for the comments Allen,
I used a monopod. Using this lens, you focus by moving the lens foreward or back. I find using a monopod is best way to hold the camera reasonably steady and focus.
The MP-e 65mm is unique maco lens with 1 to 5X magnification.
It has an effective f-number = f-number x magnification + 1. Therefore my shot would have an effective f-number of 8x2+1= 17.
At 5Xs the effective number can range up to near 100. Thus, it needs lots of light to properly expose the image. Also at smaller apertures the IQ suffers. Very shallow dof is unfortunately is fact with high magnification macros and this lens. People often use image stacking software such as combinez5 to increase dof at high magnification.
Joe this is a great fly portrait! Excellent details in the face area - I'm not sure I've ever seen it so detailed in this same way before.
My only qualms with this one is that I can't see the end of the tongue and front feet - gosh if the lip of that leaf were just a tiny bit further down...it would really put this one over the top. Great idea for using honey to get him to stay around - I'm totally stealing that come summer. ;)
Hi Joe, thanks for sharing your fly luring technique! You captured an amazing amount of detail here. I would prefer a little more color. I like your composition and use of DOF.
Hi Joe. Great shot. Lovely eye detail in this. Agree with a bit more colour. I use this lens and camera as well (only a different flash) and although the lens is sharper at f8, I mostly use f16 for shots like these to maximize dof. I feel an image can always be sharpened but not much can be done to regain dof. I normally don't find noise a problem but I use iso 100 or 200.:)