First season stacking, my 10 favorites + setup

[daemonoropsis]

(Admin edit: the robber fly, image #3 of this set, was selected for our Administrators Appreciation Award for February, 2013. Many thanks also for showing the setup that it was made with.)

Hi All

As 2012 has been my first season stacking (started in september 2012) I thought I would share my 10 favorites from my first season plus a shot of my current setup.

the ten following have been shot with either a Canon MP-E65 or a Mitutoyo 10x on a 200mm tube lens. I have been using both LED (Thank you IKEA) and flash. I have added the ten chronologically with the oldest coming first.




My very first successful stack that made me keep at it. shot using MP-E65 and 3 LED lamps


Unusual wasp I caught at work, MP-E65 +3 LEDs


I love robberflies and they survive well into the autumn here making them prime subjects for me as I only stated this september.


MP-E65 + 3 LEDs


First attempts using flash instead of LEDs, MP-E65


Heavy crop of a woodlouse, MP-E65 and 2 speedlites


One of my first with the Mits 10x + 2 speedlites


Probably my favorite stack so far, shot with Mits 10x and MT-24EX


Mits 10x at 14x (280mm tube) + MT-24EX


Spider at 14x, Mits 10x at 14x + MT-24ex


I would like to thank all the people who have shown their setups and described their techniques.
I have not been the most active member of this forum but it has been an invaluable resource for me and I have been lurking here almost daily for the last few months.

Happy new years to everyone.
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Website: http://www.mroten.dk
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ectemnius/

[cappo]

Great job on all the stacks. This is my first year also, but I have nothing of quality to share. That is an awesome setup you got.

[rjlittlefield]

This all looks great -- not just the insect images but also the setup!

I have a couple of questions about the setup:

1. Can you describe or show us what you use for specimen holding and positioning?

2. Exactly which arms are those that you're using to hold the flashes?

--Rik

[andre reichmann]

excellent images !!!!!

i was also thinking how do you hold your subjects. actually this is my main problem with my set up .... as i started stacking about 3 months ago....

andre.

[Fredlab]

Hello

Really great shots.
Stacking fits you very well.
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I apologise for my poor english
My blog (Macro Micro World)
My gallery

[daemonoropsis]

...
_________________
Website: http://www.mroten.dk
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ectemnius/

[curt0909]

Beautiful images and a very well designed setup. I'd never guess you've been at it for one year. Well done.

[oxkarthemighty]

Woah. You have inspired me to really get back into stacking with my 65 again. Very good images!
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If your photo lacks interest, you aren't close enough.

[nielsgeode]

Amazaing quality!

What 200mm tube lens are you using with the Mits 10x?

Niels

[abpho]

2012 was good to you. Stellar images. I like your setup as well.
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I'm in Canada! Isn't that weird?

[birdfreak12]

Very impressive, especially for just one year shooting macro. It looks as though I am going to have to build myself a "board" to get into stacking. I notice the "stacks hot" rail? It seems to be very popular. Would you recommend this rail?

[rjlittlefield]