Great site for insect field collecting equipment, specimen storage cabinets, microscope slides, aquatic equipment, night collecting gear and more: https://bioquip.com. They also have a large, quality selection of foreign insect specimens.

Thank you Chris and Rik. I didn't expect this to be a great performer for the reasons stated, but figured if by some chance it was really great someone here would know and share. I haven't had a chance to try one but will post a few quick comparisons if I can find someone's to borrow. Convenience ca...

Hi, I just ran across the InfiniProbe TS-160, and was wondering what experience folks had with it? Does the MACRO objective compare favorably with a Canon 65mm 1x-5x Macro Zoom at 4x? Does the MICRO HM objective compare well with a Mitutoyo M Plan 10x APO LWD, or with a 15x objective? For someone wo...

Craig, I too have been interested in LED video lights like the Metz (which may be discontinued, can't find it on B&H or Amazon).* But I have to wonder if there are noticeable oddball effects from the individual bulbs in things like eye catchlights. Have you compared the bare bulbs to running them th...

Short answer: yes, lots of us use it. You're in the right place. Utilize the search features on the forums and you'll find answers to many questions you have. Many questions have yet to be answered--if you search thoroughly and can't find a related discussion you may have stumbled on one.

Found this handy magnifier, and I am sufficiently impressed with the optical quality to recommend it: http://www.amazon.com/Donegan-Pocket-Magnifier-Magnification-diameter/dp/B000EM98KC/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1373343005&sr=8-16&keywords=donegan+magnifier The center is glass and has a good viewing a...

I wonder if anyone has DIYed something that works?

Apparently someone has:
http://www.innovatronix.com/index.php/p ... -speedfire

Products available for both Canon and Nikon users.

Just don't burn out your flash with one of these things!

Well, the Canon web site says it is compatible with the battery packs... under "External Power Source" it reads: "Compact Battery Pack E or E2, and Transistor Pack E."

So much for manuals.

Hi Des, The flash manual is shared between the ring lite (which I have) and the twin lite, so I checked there. The indication is that the ring lite works with the compact battery pack and the transistor pack E (also batteries). No mention is made of running the flash from a wall outlet. (Mine is US,...

For my new stack macro setup, I am considering using a couple swing-arm desk lamps with Smith Victor 690001 Flashlites http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/121845-REG/Smith_Victor_690001_45_W_S_Screw_in_Strobe.html in them--a small flash shoe mounted flash can act as a trigger, but this seems to be...

I was thinking about making a new flash diffuser for a typical shoe-mount type of flash, would like to wrap the light around tiny subjects well and run off of only one flash. I'm sticking with designs that can be carried into the field easily (ie: not part of a garage optical workbench). I'm thinkin...

Perhaps this is of interest to some other users. If anyone of the more skilled users here has access to a copy of this lens and can do a thorough examination, I would be really interested in the results. Once you're feeling more comfortable with the equipment, please do post some 100% crops of subj...

Hi Johan! I am not aware of a monopod fitting those exact specifications, but don't stop looking--there are tons on the market. Having said that, my wife loves the Kirk MPA-2 monopod head on an inexpensive Manfrotto 679B, but she has minimal interest in macro. As with the other monopod suggested, th...

@hkdigit: Tripod mount ring B can be used with the Canon 100L, 100 USM, 180L, and MP-E 65 lenses, though some will require a plastic adapter. Having said that, I keep separate tripod collars on lenses for field work. If you're doing mostly studio work, you could save a few dollars here. B&H is selli...

I would be far more excited by a RAW version of in-camera HDR from Magic Lantern. The current 5D Mark III only allows for 3 images, and combines them into JPG. I would relish a revision that allowed more images, and produced RAW output. I am baffled why Canon wouldn't do this themselves on a pro-lev...