Spiders
Jun 15, 2017 21:29:25 #
Got a new SB-700 flash and took it for a walk today at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia, PA. Came across a couple of spiders that I tried to ID. I think I've got one (Male Black Widow?), but I'm really not sure. The other I have no clue. It appears to have a red spot on each side of it's face to the outside of the white dots.
Jun 15, 2017 22:24:53 #
1st might be a brown widow,the 2nd is a wolf spider with her babies on her back.good find!
Jun 15, 2017 23:23:12 #
The first is a female (look at the pedipalps), and it is commonly known as a bowl and doily spider, Frontinella. See: http://bugguide.net/node/view/2043/bgimage
Jun 16, 2017 03:20:45 #
Jun 16, 2017 09:19:20 #
tinusbum wrote:
Thanks tinusbum. Had no idea that she was toting babies!1st might be a brown widow,the 2nd is a wolf spider with her babies on her back.good find!
Jun 16, 2017 09:23:13 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Thanks Mark. It's easy to understand the common name after seeing the web she was building. Question - how could I have queried Bugguide to zero in on the ID? I tried Googling "brown & white spider", which led me to the male Black Widow. I didn't have a lot of confidence that was a correct ID. I find Bugguide hard to use since I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to the insect world.The first is a female (look at the pedipalps), and it is commonly known as a bowl and doily spider, Frontinella. See: http://bugguide.net/node/view/2043/bgimage
Jun 16, 2017 09:24:57 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Since I've just gotten the flash, and I'm a guy who doesn't like flash, I'm using the one that flips down on the SB-700. Do you think there are better options?What diffusion are you using on your speedlight?
Jun 16, 2017 13:42:49 #
Bugguide is indeed hard to use unless you have a pretty good idea about a common name or at least the name of an order or a family. If you have any name at all in mind, however broad, it is generally best to start on the Home page and type the name in the small Search area. This generally opens up a long page of thumbnail pictures. If the critter is not there click on something that seems related to it, then click on the tab for Taxonomy. This opens the taxonomic hierarchy to that particular species. Find the family name, then back to the Home page and enter that family name in the Search area. This brings up a bunch of thumbnails from that family.
I often ID things that way, using the broad search from the Home page to narrow it down. Sometimes it takes me 3 runs to get it.
In this case I knew what the spider was, but my common name for it was not recognized in BG. So I had to resort to a different web site on spiders to find a different common name, and I used that in BG.
I often ID things that way, using the broad search from the Home page to narrow it down. Sometimes it takes me 3 runs to get it.
In this case I knew what the spider was, but my common name for it was not recognized in BG. So I had to resort to a different web site on spiders to find a different common name, and I used that in BG.
Jun 16, 2017 14:43:13 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Thanks Mark. I'll be saving this to a file because I know I'm gonna be needing to refer to it until I get it imbedded in memory.Bugguide is indeed hard to use unless you have a pretty good idea about a common name or at least the name of an order or a family..
Jun 18, 2017 15:37:51 #
RatGMAN wrote:
Proper illumination is key for good macro-photography. Your SB-700 is adequate for the job, but you may find running at 1/2-power or full power occuring frequently, due to moderate GN rating. Read more here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-208134-1.html More powerful speedlights normally operate at 1/8 to 1/4 power, resulting in quicker recycle times and longer field use before new batteries required.Since I've just gotten the flash, and I'm a guy who doesn't like flash, I'm using the one that flips down on the SB-700. Do you think there are better options?
Good diffusion is critical to drastically reduce shadows. I strongly suggest an inexpensive 6x8-inch softbox diffuser attached to your speedlight head (eBay <$10). You must add a bit of structure to these collapsible diffusers: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-6.html#3842241 Also, stretch white cloth internal diffuser from side-to-side, attaching with Velcro button. And also use speedlight drop-down diffuser. All three layers of diffusion used together will provide corner-to-corner even illumination.
Most of use a bracket to offset speedlight, and aim it to illuminate 6-inches to 12-inches Working Distance. Look at various set-ups from page 4 through 7: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-4.html
Jun 18, 2017 17:19:16 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Thank you! I see I have a lot to learn about using flash. As I mentioned, it's something I've avoided - primarily because I didn't like the stark look it gave my images. Once I paid a little attention and read some things about using the diffuser for macro shots, I decided to put some money into one and give it a fair try. Now I realize that was not even scratching the surface. So, I'll be scouring the info in the readings you suggest and looking for other info that might be helpful. Looking forward to improving my macro photos!Proper illumination is key for good macro-photography.
Jun 19, 2017 16:07:33 #
Douglass - I have one question about your setup - I can't quite figure out how you're using the L-bracket? Looking at the pictures of your gear, I can see the usage of the diffuser, hotshoe cord, and ball joint shoe. I can't see how you've deployed the bracket to make the whole setup work? Do you have a separate image that shows that? I've ordered the diffuser, but not the rest since I'm not sure what to do with them at this point.
Jun 21, 2017 13:52:42 #
RatGMAN wrote:
There are several brackets on the market. I use a basic Kalt L-grip, one of the least expensive (about $25 from B&H). My bracket is 40-years old, and has a built-in ballhead. The same bracket today requires an additional ballhead. Look here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-5.html#2585532I can't quite figure out how you're using the L-bracket?
Jun 27, 2017 14:50:21 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Douglass, I went with a setup similar to yours because I like the idea of your setup and also because it's pretty inexpensive. I have received all the gear - Kabl "L" bracket, Fotga 360 bracket, JJC off-camera TTL flash cord and the Fotodiox 6x9 softbox. Assembled the whole thing and have one large problem - there's no mechanism to secure the Fotga bracket to the "L" bracket. Mechanics is one of, if not "the", weakest tool in my bag. I can't figure out how, or what to use, to lock the Fotga bracket in place? Do you have any suggestions?There are several brackets on the market. I use a basic Kalt L-grip, one of the least expensive (about $25 from B&H). My bracket is 40-years old, and has a built-in ballhead. The same bracket today requires an additional ballhead. Look here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-5.html#2585532
Jun 27, 2017 19:18:04 #
Your Kalt L-grip bracket has a (non electric) 'cold shoe', and your Fotga 360 Bracket Swivel has a metal foot. Two options for solid mechanical connection:
1.) SLIGHTLY pinch the far-end of shoe rails to make a tighter fit, when foot is fully inserted; or my choice,
2.) trim a plastic playing card to make shims between foot and shoe. More than one shim may be needed to eliminate foot travel.
1.) SLIGHTLY pinch the far-end of shoe rails to make a tighter fit, when foot is fully inserted; or my choice,
2.) trim a plastic playing card to make shims between foot and shoe. More than one shim may be needed to eliminate foot travel.
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