Dwarf Praying Mantis

[MacroLuv]

Back to my Olympus point-and-shot camera photo stock for a change.
Less than one inch in size Ameles spallanziana - European dwarf mantis, I have courage to say so. Betty?
If I can only make 1/500; f/7.1; ISO 64 with my Canon EOS 400D...

... eating fly she cought earlier... (see it and you have a six shot sequence)



Model SP320
Date/time original 26.08.2006 14:51:36
Exposure time 1/640 s
F-number f/6.3
ISO speed ratings ISO 64
Focal length 8 mm

... swallowing last bite...



Model SP320
Date/time original 26.08.2006 14:51:41
Exposure time 1/500 s
F-number f/7.1
ISO speed ratings ISO 64
Focal length 8 mm

... cleaning cutlery...



Model SP320
Date/time original 26.08.2006 14:51:52
Exposure time 1/500 s
F-number f/7.1
ISO speed ratings ISO 64
Focal length 8 mm

[Bruce Williams]

I really like this sequence of shots Nikola. Mantids make such great subjects - I'm so envious!!

Bruce

[rjlittlefield]

Nice series, Nikola! Beautiful work, as always.

If I can only make 1/500; f/7.1; ISO 64 with my Canon EOS 400D...

You wouldn't like it, and fortunately you don't need it. The large sensor on your DSLR requires smaller effective f-number for same DOF, but permits much higher ISO at same noise levels. It's probably just about a wash. See this old post for discussion.

Of course, you don't really need 1/500 to shoot a mantis. That opens possibilities to get even higher quality from the DSLR...

--Rik

[beetleman]

fantastic photos Nikola...I like the way he is cleaning himself after a hearty fly burger in picture 3