Thanks Chief, I'm guessing 8 to 9 inches. When I shoot macro I don't get close enough for a 1:1 shot. Increasing the distance then cropping in post process allows for a greater DOF and the sharpness is still there. I shot this in manual mode with an aperture of f/16 and a shutter speed of 1/200 sec. which are the settings I use for most of my macro shots. Most adjustments are made in the power output of the ring light.
I rarely shoot macro anymore because I don't get that many opportunities but I keep my Tamron 180mm macro lens on one of my D7000's at all times as I don't need that camera for anything else. Out in my yard today I saw this fly on my storage building and thought what the heck I'll grab the camera, put batteries in the ring light, grab the monopod and shoot something besides a bird if the fly hangs around and sure enough it did. I caught one shot as it was regurgitating which is normal fly behavior.
I rarely shoot macro anymore because I don't get t... (show quote)