Rik I think you may have way too much heat-sink paste on the diode and this could possibly be a contributing factor to the heat problem. I know that most of the paste would squeeze out as you tighten the retaining screws, but I suspect that a relatively thick film would still remain between the diod...

Thanks Rick

Would a 2x or 1.5x converter give a better result?

At the moment I rest my equipment on the granite using rubber spacers for extra damping. Ideally I would like to use Sorbathane, but I have not yet found a local supplier. A good masonry drill bit will drill into granite. Just take it slowly and use a bit of water as a cooling agent / lubricant whil...

Still trying to identify this wasp.

120 images sub stacked with 12 images and an overlap of 3. Final image retouched to remove marks etc in Photoshop.

This is a slightly cropped image of the head of a wasp that I found lying in the garden (already deceased). Its not in great condition, but I thought it presented a good opportunity to try out a set of extension rings with my MPE-65 lens. I put all three of my extension rings on the camera, giving a...

Hi Joyful I live in Johannesburg and so I share your frustration in the cost and availability of equipment, but it is far from an insurmountable problem. Importing something for your own use on EBay or Amazon etc. is not an issue and you do not need any permits. The exchange rate is of course not gr...

Hi Andrea Fascinating post and article, thank you so much for sharing. Does this mean in practice that one should aim to use F4 on an MPE-65 lens by preference ( assuming other requirements such as DOF or minimum light do not apply ) as this is the point where the MTF is at a maximum for this lens? ...

Thanks for the great advice. One of the things that is rapidly becoming more clear to me is that I should take much more time setting the specimen up correctly. Unfortunately, my current lighting design makes this quite hard because I can't actually get to the specimen with the lens and diffusers in...

Thanks Chris This looks a million times better. I will try and replicate what you did. I also tried another take after changing the subject position and lighting slightly and then a closer view of the head at almost 5x. http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/userpix/4752_CuckooWaspFull_02_1.jpg http:...

Thanks Charles, I would appreciate the input

When I found this I thought at first that it was some sort of beetle, but I am fairly sure now that it is a Cuckoo Wasp, family Chrisididea , but I am not sure of the exact species yet. I thought that I would first try a full image of the wasp for identification before doing any higher magnification...

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. The family is Eurybrachidae and I think the species is Parapioxys Jucundus.

The common name seems to be either a "Moth Bug" or "Mottled Avocado Bug".

Thanks Chris

What do you think it is if not a moth? I am a bit stumped as I cannot find anything like this in my insect book so I am obviously looking in the wrong place.

This is a moth that I found in my home a few days ago. The white patches on it seem to be some sort of powder. http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/userpix/4752_MonthFull_1.jpg http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/userpix/4752_GreenMothHead_1.jpg http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/userpix/4752_...