Tamara - I didn't realize you were that close. It seemed more a zoom shot. I assumed wrong, perhaps. The lens I use requires that one be within an inch of the bee. And I think that can bother them, though I try not to do so (using simple diopters, in the past, I was able to stand back off more, and even catch the bee in flight, but got fringing and distortion from the diopter).
One shot I keep going for is the blur of the wings, but mostly in focus with some part of the bee. Haven't got it right just yet, even for hundreds of bees macros. Probably try again, today.
Thanks for your comment Joe. Just wondering what you mean by the lens "giving way a bit at the top"? Do you mean in terms of focus? (I'm just asking because I've never heard this terminology!)
This was unfortunately the last shot I got before the bee flew away. My neighbor had stopped to asked what I was looking at (I was crouched in the grass in my front yard) and I lost my balance a bit and the bee flew off. Oh well, at least I got something. It was fun to try. But wow, it's hard to keep a steady hand when you're crouched in the grass and the lens is practically on top of the bee!
Perfectly nice bee closeup, though this lens seems to give way a bit at the top. Bees are unique. But I tend to use a closer approach, which also tends to disturb them more. And I remember shooting closeups like this with my old 1MP digicam, the Oly 460z. It's bees that help fuel, in some cases, equipment purchases and a more lasting interest in photography itself. Trying to get that one pose, etc.
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{K:8529} 6/12/2005
