sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

This is my preserved Cicada that I staged for a focus stacking session to experiment with a new lens. I've got some tweaks to make to find its sweetspot. This was taken with the lens wide open at f/2.8 as a first attempt. I also have to try different methods of diffusion using my favorite techniques for there is a longer working distance with this lens.

As always, thanks in advance to all who view and for your comments, suggestions, questions and critique.

(Download)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I've been fascinated by cicada since I was a kid and the Texas brood came out when we lived in Dallas in the early 70s. Not sure I've seen a yellow one nor the details between the eyes for their sensors (?). Excellent work.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Very good.

What was the working distance and the magnification?

Mike

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Mike, this was my, "Hurry up and try the new lens session". My first impression is that this is going to be a great addition to my family of lenses. This was taken at 2.5X and the distance from the lens was in the 10-inch range. I'm accustomed to two to three inches with my Frankenstein setups.

I will say that looking through the camera with the lens the first time was stunning with how clear and sharp it was. I set it at the widest aperture and I will do several at different settings to see if there is any particular f/stop sweet spot.

I'm a retired mechanical designer so I'm picky on how things are made and I find the quality of build to be as high as could be expected. No plastic, all steel and silky smooth focus/magnification ring and firm clicks of apterature. It is a fully manual lens so it may not be a good choice for some although I shoot full manual anyway so it works for me.

Weather is called to improve and I'll mount it on my Z6 to see how it performs outdoors on a single shot macro. By the way, the Nikon Z6 is okay but it does not knock my socks off. Actually, I don't find it to be any better than my Fujifilm X-T20 in picture quality. The Z6 may be a wonderful video camera but I'll take my D810 over it for stills anytime.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Very good picture. Twin highlights suggest a dual lighting system, and so I am curious about that. If you don't mind explaining your rig one more time? 🙂

The yellow color is because their natural color fades a bit when dried out. The red spots between the compound eyes are known as simple eyes, or ocelli. Many orders of insects have these. Simple eyes are usually incapable of forming an image. Several functions have been proposed. I am a bit surprised that their function has not been yet been definitively discovered, according to Wikipedia.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Mark, I bought a Mitakon Creator 85mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro lens and this was my first attempt using it. I bought it in a Nikon F mount and I am using it on a FujiFilm X-T20 mirrorless camera. I have a new Nikon Z6 that arrived last week to use as my everyday carry and I will reserved my D810 for special use for it has over 250,000 actuations on it now from all of the focus stacking sessions. Here's the link to the lens:

https://zyoptics.net/product/mitakon-creator-25-85mm-f-2-8-1-5x-super-macro/

The specs of the lens are very impressive and the three standouts for me are:

1. APO glass
2. Near telecentric performance
3. Long working distances

I ordered it on Dec. 6th however they discovered a flaw in the calculation of the lens configuration so they put a hold on all order until the manufacturing could be corrected so this is one of the new versions. I am a retired mechanical designer and I am quite critical of the way things are built and I was extremely pleased with the quality and attention to detail of the lens. All metal, tight, and buttery smooth with definite of aperture. It is a full mechanical lens and it will not focus to infinity so it may not be for everyone.

I paid $550 which included shipping so compared to the Canon MP-E65 it's quite inexpensive. The working distance is a welcome feature. I'm finding it to be close to 12-inches at 1X and nearly 5-inches at 5X so it will take me some rearranging of my setup to accommodate and I thrive for experimentation so that will be fun for me to do.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Sippy, great face for scifi movie.

Greg

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Greg, I believe that insects are the inspiration for the Sci-Fi special effects guys for I see a lot of the same features in them at times.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Sippy, I agree along with a lot of our common Lizards. I do like scifi because it causes my brain to imagine. My first one I remember seeing was Rodan and it scared me.

Greg

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Outstanding as usual, sippy. Great job.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Greg, I watched Rodan at the "Lemay Theater" on the Sunday Matinee. My Grandfather played cards at the firehouse on Sundays where he used to be the Chief. He would drop me off at the theater and pick me up when it was over. Rodan was one of the first of the Japanese Monster Movies of the time.

Quite hokey by today's standards but a real fright-fest for a young lad at the time. Thanks for the memory!

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Greg

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI