Archive for the ‘Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens’ Category
March 9, 2020
An Eastern Amberwing dragonfly (Perithemis tenera) exuvia was collected by Joe Johnston on 07 August 2019 along Aquia Creek at Channel Marker No. 34, Stafford County, Virginia USA.
The specimen is probably from either Family Corduliidae (Emeralds) or Family Libellulidae (Skimmers).
The rule of thumb for differentiating Corduliidae exuviae from Libellulidae is as follows: It’s probably Corduliidae if the cerci are at least half as long as the paraprocts; it’s probably Libellulidae if the cerci are less than half the length of the paraprocts.
65mm (3x magnification) | ISO 100 | f/8 | 1/200 s | 0 ev
Look closely at the full-size version of the preceding photo, showing a close-up of the anal pyramid at 3x magnification. Notice the cerci are approximately half as long as the epiproct and slightly less than half the length of the paraprocts. It’s a close call, but the latter field mark indicates Family Libellulidae (Skimmers).
A step-by-step identification guide (to the species level) will be published in a follow-up post. Stay tuned!
Related Resources
Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Aquia Creek, BoG Photo Studio, cerci, Eastern Amberwing dragonfly, epiproct, exuvia, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), Meet Your Neighbours, paraprocts, Perithemis tenera, Stafford County, studio photography, Virginia
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX II Speedlite, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens, digital photography, dragonflies, Godox TT685C, Godox TT685F, Godox TT685o/p, Godox X1R-C, Godox X2TC, Godox X2To/p, Lastolite flash modifier, macro photography, natural science, Photoshop | Leave a Comment »
February 27, 2019
A larva/nymph in the Family Gomphidae (Clubtails) was collected by Bob Perkins from the New River in southwestern Virginia. The larva died before it metamorphosed into an adult.
“Generic Gomphid” larva (preserved specimen) | New River, VA USA
An Ashy Clubtail dragonfly nymph was also collected by Bob Perkins. (The date and location where the specimen was collected are unknown.) The nymph was reared in captivity until it emerged on 21 March 2017 and metamorphosed into an adult female. This specimen is the exuvia from the nymph.
Although face-head of the “Generic Gomphid” and Ashy Clubtail look similar, they aren’t identical. More later after the specimen is keyed out carefully.
Related Resources
Tech Tips
13 photos were used to create the focus stack of the “Generic Gomphid.” A single focus point was positioned over select anatomical features; photos were taken at each point of interest.
The following equipment was used to shoot the composite image of the “Generic Gomphid”: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens (set for f/11 at ~2.5x); a Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite set for “Master” mode, and a single external flash set for “Slave” mode — a Godox TT685C Thinklite TTL Flash fitted with a Lastolite Ezybox Speed-Lite 2 flash modifier.
Auto power-off was disabled for the camera and external flash units.
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create the focus stack, as well as spot-heal and sharpen the final output.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Ashy Clubtail dragonfly, Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), gear talk, high-speed sync, Phanogomphus lividus, studio photography
Posted in Aperture, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens, Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite, digital photography, dragonflies, Godox TT685C, How To, Lastolite flash modifier, macro photography, natural science, Photoshop, wildlife photography | 2 Comments »
February 18, 2019
A larva/nymph in the Family Corduliidae (Emeralds) was collected by Bob Perkins on 02 December 2017 from a pond in Orange Park, Florida (USA). The larva died before it metamorphosed into an adult.
As you can see by looking at a close-up image of the face-head at 3x magnification, there is no horn on the face of the specimen. Therefore this individual is not a member of Family Macromiidae (Cruisers), as I speculated in my last blog post.
“Generic Baskettail” larva (preserved specimen) | face-head
Knowing the limits of our expertise
Although I still need to key out the specimen carefully, at this point I’m certain Bob is correct — the larva is a member of the Family Corduliidae (Emeralds). The question that remains unanswered is “Which genus/species?” We may never know the answer, as Bob and I have reached the limit of our experience and expertise.
I did a quick scan of Paulson’s [book], looking at the Emerald Family. Here, according to the range maps, are the possibilities for Orange Park [FL]. I believe you can see why I stopped at “generic basketttail.” Source Credit: Bob Perkins.
What do you think the identity is? Most of the items in the preceding species list feature links to photos of odonate larvae/exuviae. See the links to BugGuide from the scientific names in the list.
Related Resource: Test shots: “Generic Baskettail?”
Tech Tips
Four (4) photos were used to create the preceding focus-stacked composite image. A single focus point was positioned over the face, between the antennae. At a magnification ratio of 3:1, it’s difficult to manually focus on a single point — the slightest movement around the macro rig changes focus unintentionally. A simple work-around for this problem is to take several shots of the same focus point and create a composite image of the photos.
The following equipment was used to shoot the preceding composite image: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens (set for f/16 at 3x); a Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite set for “Master” mode, and a single external flash set for “Slave” mode — a Godox TT685C Thinklite TTL Flash fitted with a Lastolite Ezybox Speed-Lite 2 flash modifier. A Sunpak LED-160 Video Light was used to add fill light to the top of the subject.
Auto power-off was disabled for the camera and external flash units.
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create the focus stack, as well as spot-heal and sharpen the final output.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Family Corduliidae (Emeralds), gear talk, larva, nymph
Posted in Aperture, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens, Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite, digital photography, dragonflies, Godox TT685C, How To, Lastolite flash modifier, macro photography, natural science, Photoshop, Sunpak LED-160, wildlife photography | 1 Comment »
February 4, 2019
The following focus-stacked composite image shows the exuvia from a Common Sanddragon (Progomphus obscurus) larva that was collected and reared by Bob Perkins.
I have 10s, maybe 100s, of Common Sanddragon exuviae in my collection, but have never seen one cleaner than this beautiful specimen. I didn’t realize P. obscurus larvae are so hairy!
Related Resource: More composite images: P. obscurus exuvia.
Tech Tips
11 photos were used to create the focus stack. A single focus point was positioned over select anatomical features, working from back-to-front; photos were taken at each point of interest.
The following equipment was used to shoot the preceding composite image: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens (set for f/11 at 3x); and Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite set for “Master” mode, and several external flashes set for “Slave” mode including Canon 580 EX- and Canon 580EX II Speedlites and a Godox TT685C Thinklite TTL Flash fitted with a Lastolite Ezybox Speed-Lite 2 flash modifier.
Auto power-off was disabled for the camera and all external flash units.
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create the focus stack, as well as spot-heal and sharpen the final output.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Common Sanddragon dragonfly, exuvia, exuviae, gear talk, high-speed sync, larva, Progomphus obscurus, studio photography
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX II Speedlite, Canon 580EX Speedlite, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens, Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite, digital photography, dragonflies, Godox TT685C, How To, Lastolite flash modifier, macro photography, natural science, Photoshop, wildlife photography | 3 Comments »
February 1, 2019
Bob Perkins collected and reared a larva/nymph from the Family Cordulegastridae (Spiketails). The larva died before it metamorphosed into an adult.
Test shots of this beautifully preserved specimen (Cordulegaster sp.) were taken using a relatively small aperture of f/16 for greater depth of field. The following photo is a “one-off,” that is, not a composite image.
Cordulegaster sp. larva (preserved specimen) | face-head
Odonates are aquatic insects. They spend most of their life as larvae that live in water; this stage of their life cycle can last from a few months to a few years. Finally, they emerge from the water and metamorphose into adults in order to reproduce; their offspring return to the water and the cycle begins again.
Most larvae go through 10-13 stages of development known as “instars.” The author lacks sufficient experience to identify the instar of this specimen, although it appears to be one of the later stages.
Related Resources
Tech Tips
The following equipment was used to shoot the preceding photo: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens (set for 3x); and Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite set for “Master” mode, and several external flashes set for “Slave” mode including Canon 580 EX- and Canon 580EX II Speedlites and a Godox TT685C Thinklite TTL Flash fitted with a Lastolite Ezybox Speed-Lite 2 flash modifier. A Sunpak LED-160 Video Light was used to light the underside of the white plastic posing “stage.”
Auto power-off was disabled for the camera and all external flash units.
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to spot-heal and sharpen the final output.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Family Cordulegastridae (Spiketails), gear talk, high-speed sync, larva, nymph, studio photography
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX II Speedlite, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens, Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite, digital photography, dragonflies, education, Godox TT685C, How To, Lastolite flash modifier, macro photography, natural science, Photoshop, Sunpak LED-160, wildlife photography | 2 Comments »
January 2, 2019
The following gallery shows 18 finalists for my “Top 10 Photos of 2018.” The photos are presented in reverse-chronological order beginning in September 2018 and ending in February 2018.
As you will see, I declare 2018 is/was unofficially “Year of the Sable Clubtail (S. rogersi).”
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
No. 7
No. 8
No. 9
No. 10
No. 11
No. 12
No. 13
No. 14
No. 15
No. 16
No. 17
No. 18
Editor’s Note: The following location codes are used in some photo captions, shown above.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:exuvia, exuviae, female, male
Posted in Aperture, butterflies and moths, Canon 580EX II Speedlite, Canon 580EX Speedlite, Canon EF 100mm Macro lens, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens, Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite, damselflies, digital photography, dragonflies, extension tubes, Fujifilm X-T1, Fujinon XF80mm macro lens, Godox TT685C, Godox TT685F, Godox XProF, macro photography, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ150, Photoshop, wildlife photography | 1 Comment »
December 26, 2018
2018 is the year I got serious about macro photography of odonate exuviae. I bought lots of new photography gear and spent hours learning to use it, and spent more time refining my workflow for creating focus-stacked composite images.
I am blessed to have several mentors who have patiently taught me a lot about identification of odonate exuviae, and many friends who have kindly collected and shared specimens with me. Sincere thanks to Sue and John Gregoire, Richard Orr, Michael Powell, Bob Perkins, Mike Boatwright, Andy Davidson, and Joe Johnston.
Dragonflies (Order Anisoptera)
Family Aeshnidae (Darners)
Family Cordulegastridae (Spiketails)
Family Corduliidae (Emeralds)
Family Gomphidae (Clubtails)
Family Libellulidae (Skimmers)
Family Macromiidae (Cruisers)
Family Petaluridae (Petaltails)
Damselflies (Order Zygoptera)
Family Calopterygidae (Broad-winged Damselflies)
Related Resources: Odonate Exuviae.
Next post: New Life List additions in 2018 (odonates).
Copyright © 2018 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:studio photography
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX II Speedlite, Canon 580EX Speedlite, Canon EF 100mm Macro lens, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens, Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite, damselflies, digital photography, dragonflies, extension tubes, Fujifilm X-T1, Fujinon XF80mm macro lens, Godox TT685C, Godox TT685F, Godox XProF, How To, macro photography, natural science, Photoshop, wildlife photography | 5 Comments »
October 24, 2018
The Backstory
An Ashy Clubtail dragonfly (Phanogomphus lividus) nymph was collected by Bob Perkins. (The date and location where the specimen was collected are unknown.) The nymph was reared in captivity until it emerged on 21 March 2017 and metamorphosed into an adult female. This specimen is the exuvia from the nymph. P. lividus is a member of the Family Gomphidae (Clubtails).
A focus-stacked composite image was created from 39 photos focused on the face and head of the exuvia. I had relatively little experience using Adobe Photoshop to make focus stacks when I created the first iterations of the Ashy Clubtail composite image. I was never satisfied completely with the final output, so I decided to do a do-over.
After…
The updated version of the composite image was created using my “Latest focus stacking workflow.”
Before…
The version that I published in late-March 2018 was created using the RAW photos (CR2) from my Canon digital camera, without any post-processing. I tried to adjust the white balance and color palette of the resulting composite image, but was unable to get the “look” I wanted. The image is probably over-sharpened too.
Which version do you prefer?
I know the version I like more. Which do you prefer, After or Before?
Tech Tips
The preceding images are composites of 39 photos taken using the following equipment: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens (manual focus only, set for 3x magnification); and Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite set for “Master” mode, and Canon 580 EX- and Canon 580EX II Speedlites set for “Slave” mode.
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to focus stack the photos and post-process the final output.
According to the “Focus Stacking Step Size Calculator” embedded in the “Focus Stacking” Web page, the “safe step size” is 0.213 mm for an aperture of f/11 at 3x magnification using a full-frame DSLR. That’s right, 0.213 mm! The safe step size is the incremental distance at which the in-focus areas of two photos overlap. The ruler on the inexpensive focus rail that I use is marked in millimeters only, so I attempted to move the focus rail in tiny increments in two passes: one pass moving from front-to-back; and a second pass from back-to-front.
Copyright © 2018 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Ashy Clubtail dragonfly, exuvia, Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), female, focus stacking, gear talk, high-speed sync, Phanogomphus lividus
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX II Speedlite, Canon 580EX Speedlite, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens, Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite, digital photography, dragonflies, How To, macro photography, natural science, Photoshop, wildlife photography | 3 Comments »
October 6, 2018
Michael Boatwright, founder and administrator of the Virginia Odonata Facebook group, collected an odonate exuvia on 07 June 2018 along either Little Otter Creek or Otter Creek near the place where both creeks are distributaries of Otter Lake in Amherst County, Virginia USA.
A two-step process was used to identify the genus and species of the exuvia.
- Determine the family.
- Determine the genus and species.
Step 1. Family
First, determine the family of the specimen. For reference, watch the excellent Vimeo video, Identifying dragonfly larva to family (8:06). Here’s the decision tree used to identify the exuvia as a member of the Family Macromiidae (Cruisers).
- The specimen has a mask-like labium (prementum) that covers the face, as shown in Photo No. 1, characteristic of four families of odonates: Cordulegastridae (Spiketails); Corduliidae (Emeralds); Libellulidae (Skimmers); and Macromiidae (Cruisers).
- The teeth on the margins of the labium have a regular pattern. (The pattern reminds me of a “spork.”)
- Its eyes are small, wide set, and stick up.
- Image No. 2 shows there is a horn on the face-head, characteristic of Macromiidae.
Photo No. 1 shows a face-head view of the exuvia, magnified approximately three times life size (~3x).
Image No. 2 shows the top of the head of the exuvia, magnified approximately three times life size (~3x). Notice the prominent horn on the face.
Step 2. Genus and species
Two dichotomous keys found on p. 27 of Identification Keys to Northeastern Anisoptera Larvae, compiled by Ken Soltesz, were used to determine the genus and species of the exuvia. Markers that match this specimen are highlighted in boldface green text. Three boldface green asterisks (***) are used to highlight the thread for identification of this specimen.
Key to the Genera of the Family Macromiidae
***1b. Lateral spines of abdominal segment 9 do not reach to rearward level of tips of inferior appendages [paraprocts]; Sides of head somewhat convergent behind eyes to pair of low turbercules on hind angles; Lateral setae of labium = 6; Small dorsal hook on segment 10. [Macromia]
A small dorsal hook on abdominal segment 10 is characteristic of Genus Macromia.
Look closely at the full-size version of Image No. 4. Notice the little “nub” on abdominal segment 10 (S10), below the underside of the dorsal hook on abdominal segment nine (S9). The same structure is labeled with a white question mark in Image No. 3.
The lateral spines of abdominal segment 9 (S9) do not reach rearward to the tips of the inferior appendages (paraprocts).
Key to the Species of Macromia
1a. Lateral spines of abdominal segments 8 and 9 directed straight to rearward. [illinoiensis]
***1b. Lateral spines of abdominal segments 8 and 9 incurved, especially 8. [alleghaniensis]
The lateral spines of abdominal segments 8 and 9 (S8-9) are incurved, especially segment 8 (S8), indicating this species is alleghaniensis.
This individual is probably a male, as indicated by what appear to be vestigial hamules located on the ventral side of abdominal segments two and three (S2-3).
Summary
A prominent horn on the face is a key field marker for the Family Macromiidae (Cruisers), a small dorsal hook on abdominal segment 10 is one characteristic of the Genus Macromia, and the lateral spines of abdominal segments 8 and 9 (S8-9) are incurved, indicating the species is alleghaniensis. Therefore this specimen is an Allegheny River Cruiser dragonfly (Macromia alleghaniensis).
Bonus Gallery
Related Resources
Tech Tips
The following equipment was used to shoot Photo/Image No. 3-9: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Kenko 20mm macro automatic extension tube; Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro lens (set for manual focus); Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite set for “Master” mode, and Canon 580 EX- and Canon 580EX II Speedlites set for “Slave” mode. Photo/Image No. 1 and 2: Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens (manual focus only, set for ~3x magnification) plus the multiple-flash setup.
Image No. 2-8 are focus-stacked composite images created and annotated using Adobe Photoshop CC 2017: Image No. 2 (eight photos); Image No. 3 (six photos); Image No. 4 (four photos); Image No. 5 (five photos); Image No. 6 (five photos); Image No. 7 (seven photos); Image No. 8 (seven photos).
Copyright © 2018 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Amherst County, dorsal hooks, exuvia, gear talk, hamules, high-speed sync, labium, lateral spines, Otter Lake, paraprocts, prementum, Virginia
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX II Speedlite, Canon 580EX Speedlite, Canon EF 100mm Macro lens, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens, Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite, digital photography, dragonflies, education, extension tubes, How To, macro photography, natural science, Photoshop, wildlife photography | Leave a Comment »
October 4, 2018
A prominent horn on the face is a key field marker for all larvae/exuviae in the Family Macromiidae (Cruisers).
The first image shows the top of the head of an exuvia from an Allegheny River Cruiser dragonfly (Macromia alleghaniensis), collected by Mike Boatwright on 07 June 2018 at Otter Lake in Amherst County, Virginia USA.
07 June 2018 | Amherst County, VA | exuvia (head-horn)
The next photo shows the top of the head of an Allegheny River Cruiser larva reared by fellow Virginian Bob Perkins, providing an excellent view of both the horn and antennae (2).
Tech Tips
The following equipment was used to shoot the composite image of the exuvia: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens (set for 3x); Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite set for “Master” mode, and Canon 580 EX- and Canon 580EX II Speedlites set for “Slave” mode.
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create the focus-stacked composite image from eight photos.
Bob Perkins’ photo of the larva, taken on 03 October 2018, was shot using a Canon EOS Rebel T3i camera body and Canon EF-S 60mm macro lens.
Copyright © 2018 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Allegheny River Cruiser dragonfly, Amherst County, exuvia, exuviae, Family Macromiidae (Cruisers), focus stacking, gear talk, high-speed sync, larvae, Macromia alleghaniensis, male, Otter Lake, Virginia
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX II Speedlite, Canon 580EX Speedlite, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens, Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite, digital photography, dragonflies, education, How To, macro photography, natural science, Photoshop, wildlife photography | 2 Comments »
