Robber-fly with victim

[Bruce Williams]

Hi folks,

These two pics were taken yesterday afternoon - handheld with my new Nikon D80 and the 105mm VR f2.8 Macro lens.

D80 results for general photography (using 18-200mm VR zoom lens) have been very pleasing - noticably MUCH better than the Minolta A2 (crisper, cleaner with significantly more detail). However my hand-held macro and close-up shots have been quite disappointing - generally not as good as the Minolta. The D80 "studio" shots on tripod are clearly much better than the Minolta A2 so it's gotta be down to my poor hand-holding with the D80. I have some ideas and am determined to crack the problem.

Both pics ISO200 1/160s at f/16

Bruce

[Ken Ramos]

You've got to feel sorry for the little guy in the last image. It looks so helpless and looks at you with those big brown "help me" eyes. Even though one might feel sorry for the little guy, these are some pretty nice captures!

[beetleman]

I am sure you will figure everything out Bruce. Excellent photos. The second one is a pirfect action angle IMO.

[Bruce Williams]

Ken - Yes that's one of the great(?) things about macro photography - as well as the wierd and the beautiful, you get to see all the gory details that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Doug - I appreciate your confidence in me - I really am finding it very frustrating at the moment.

I was pleased with the face-on shot too.

Bruce

[puzzledpaul]

Both very good shots, Bruce, but the 2nd'd also get my first vote ... down 'n' dirty where the action is

(Fwiw, am also still getting used to using a 100 macro, and am generally using same with a home-made monopod (with tripod capability) )

pp

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Paul - I'll try using my monopod with the D80 while I'm out dog walking today. It's a cheap, no-name, telescopic stick without a head (just a screw for the camera) but on the plus side it is very light.

Bruce