I don't know your application, whether it is in a studio or in the field. All options will solve a problem but they will also create new problems. Not to go on too long, but a negative for dual flashes is that you tend to get twin highlights. But my Kuangren dual flash lets me quickly change out len...

I've never seen sawflies mating. In at least many species, the ovipositer is centered under the abdomen, so I guess it makes sense that their reproductive opening for mating is also there.

Wow! Those are remarkable.

Very well done!

I have often wondered about the same thing. If interested, you could try using a lower power diopter lens on the long lens, such as a Raynox 150. Years ago I had a 300mm, and found that it worked well with the Raynox 150 for getting closer to small butterflies and damselflies. My long lens is now mu...

Well done! I am sure that it would be very challenging to focus stack the dandelion, since the seeds would surely move at the slightest movement of air.

Very interesting! Those jaws are a bit startling for a wasp that I'd think is a vegetarian.

A very high caliber set! I will only add that I also find no aggression from P. dominula, even at their nests. They watch me watch them, and that is all. There is concern that this imported wasp is out-competing our native paper wasps, but I have no opinion on that.

Very well done!

Another great Tiger Beetle set! Man, I am getting antsy! As it happens I bought a circular polarizer filter as a xmas present to myself, and these are good subjects for them. Cloudy days are helpful too. My white whale species is the small Punctate Tiger Beetle. Very common, and not even particularl...

These are all great, and it really urges me on to come up with a longer focal length solution for photographing sandwalkbugs. I do manage quick stacks at times, by moving forward or backward slightly. Using the focus ring is often difficult since I have only so many hands and fingers. There is a dev...

Well done!

Lol!

I love my 2.5-5x lens, but a 1-5x with comparable IQ would really turn my head. But I bet it would be more challenging to make that really well. This is presumably why the old Canon super macro was so pricey.

I really enjoyed these pictures! I have to resort to trying to get tiger beetle pix with a 100mm. I have not tried the TC on it, even though I have one.
As to your beef, I suspect the reason why longer focal length macros are not made any more is because there has not been much demand for them.