This is an image of my preserved green June bug that I set on a piece of broken tree limb for a single macro shot as a test of the flash diffuser that I made from a large cottage cheese container that I posted a few days ago which has now been painted black so it does not look "cheesy".

The container is lined with aluminum foil and a piece of China White polyester fabric is used to diffuse the flash.

This macro image was taken with a Nikon Z6 and the Nikon S mount 105mm macro lens. Camera settings were manual mode, f/11 aperture, 1/160 sec., ISO-200, and auto white balance. The flash is a Nikon SB-800 set on manual mode and 1/8 duration power.

Some time ago, Cany posted a picture taken in Thompson Springs, Utah. Thompson Springs was at one time served by the D&RGW Railroad, on a line that ran to Salt Lake City. I have always been fascinated by railroads, especially those that operated during the era of steam. I found this on Classic Trains which gives an excellent and interesting history of the D&RGW. Thought that it might be of interest to some others on this board.

https://www.trains.com/ctr/railroads/fallen-flags/remembering-the-denver-rio-grande-western-railroad/?fbclid=IwAR1GsFC-zkpcLT-dh4qQ1i30rgth3xZUVPmVdR2VM6HJtoOZLHsILmmIEbA

Expired Fuji Press 800
June, July 2022
Chicago, IL

There are about 5,500 bowling alleys in the United States now, half the number that existed in the 1960s. Many of those that are left have made the sport more popular than ever.

Diversey Rock n' Roll Bowl by Paul Sager, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667070833_d3945ef21d_h.jpg

The Diversey River Bowl started with new ownership in 1986. Along with $80 per hour lanes on Friday and Saturday nights, the alley now boasts a heart-pounding sound system, lasers, fog machines, black lights, a restaurant and two full-service bars.

Diversey Rock n' Roll Bowl
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667071183_b483d0c106_h.jpg

Stan's Donuts is a midwest offshoot of the iconic Los Angeles shop of the same name and family of Stan Berman.

Stan's Donuts
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667001275_e48d6df87e_h.jpg

Fat Cat Chicago has been an Uptown neighborhood staple since 2007. The restaurant is conveniently located around the corner from Riviera Theater, The Aragon Ballroom, and the Lawrence CTA Red Line stop.

FatCat
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52674491487_5708d0cadf_h.jpg

The UpTown Lounge has been the north side’s finest and friendliest late night hangout for more than 17 years

UpTown Lounge
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52674996186_34b23c65a7_h.jpg

The two rolls of Fuji Press 800 film were shot at ISO-200, being expired from May 2004, and shot on a few hot summer evenings in 2022. All using an EOS 1v and an EF 16-35mm f/4L IS lens.

Spiritual Insight
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52674996156_91ff7c7ebd_h.jpg

Not sure what you're in the mood for? The Golden Apple Grill & Breakfast House is devoted to serving customers mouthwatering dishes featuring the highest quality ingredients available.

Golden Apple
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52666859039_916561b880_h.jpg

In 2000 the Diversey Bowl was one of three alleys nationwide voted Best Rock & Bowl. Both John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton are known to bowl there, along with Chicago's hipster regulars.

Diversey Rock n' Roll Bowl
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52666859434_adf8acdf00_h.jpg

Details of each image are available from the URL links to Flickr for each image.

Actually, with a manual focus film-era lens on digital mirrorless, if it's not in-focus in the details, it doesn't matter how many frames you burst. To zoom the EVF, to focus on the precise details, to hold the camera and track the subject, and to release the shutter takes more like 3 hands, so I off-load the 'holding the camera' to the tripod.

Mating Japanese beetles by Paul Sager, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51323940483_e3a8102f42_h.jpg

On larger subjects or details, another approach is to leave the lens focus static, typically turned to the minimum focus distance, and then just slightly lean in and out over the subject in a digital burst, where now it's more likely something will be in perfect focus. Still easier on a monopod than pure hand-hold, again due to that three-hand need.

I have plenty experience and expertise on these techniques.

Swallowtail by Paul Sager, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/1748/41814715084_002316a992_h.jpg

Is full frame better than Micro Four Thirds?

Generally, full-frame cameras feature superior low-light and high-ISO performance. This results in much better image quality than crop-sensor (or Micro Four Thirds) cameras can achieve.

https://digital-photography-school.com/camera-sensors-explained/

Updated July 2022: Micro Four Thirds for Wildlife Photography:
https://photographylife.com/micro-four-thirds-wildlife-photography

I will try to be objective here, YES micro 4/3rds can be all you need for shooting wildlife. And Pre-focus is a great feature. So why do I chose to go with fullframe for my wildlife shots:

1) Greater resolution and detail of the images with my fullframe 50mp A1 and 61mp A7RIV cameras

2) Better High ISO/Low Light performance

3) Better crop ability when I need it, and still retain top resolution, detail and image quality.

4) Ability to shoot in APS-C mode also, giving me 1.5X crop in-camera, and with Sony's Clear Image Zoom in jpeg mode, the ability to also have an added 2X zoom factor on any lens, in-camera, without loss of quality.

5) Ability to have Shallower Depth of Field when I want this creative choice.

6-7) Here two shots, first the fullframe, then a tight crop from the same image. A Great White Egret bends its neck to clean its feathers on the Caribbean Island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin. 50mp Sony A1, Sony 200-600mm lens, 591mm, ISO 1600, f6.3, 1/2000 sec.

8) A Snowy Egret takes off from it watery perch in Sint Maarten/St. Martin. 50mp Sony A1, Sony 200-600mm lens, 319 mm, ISO 1600, f6.3, 1/4000 sec.

9) A Wild Iguana in Sint Maarten/St. Martin. 50mp Sony A1, Sony 200-600mm lens, 493mm, ISO 320, f8, 1/1250 sec.

10) A Small Parrot in flight in Sint Maarten/St. Martin. 50mm Sony A1, Sony 24-105mm f4 lens, 105mm, ISO 1600, f4, 1/2000 sec.

Click on download to see better image quality.

Certainly look into Micro 4/3rds, APS-C and Fullframe options. For my professional and personal work I am sticking with the ultimate image quality, better high ISO and low noise performance, and better shallow depth of field of fullframe.

There are many great choices in all mirrorless formats.

Cheers and best to you.

Most insurance companies offer a RIDER to your homeowners policy or a separate specific policy. Mine is with Allstate.
I worked it through with my agent. It lists all of my equipment, serial numbers and date of purchase, I have the receipts, which I make copies of and the insurance company has a copy as proof of purchase. However, if a piece is stolen, I get the replacement cost. Say I bought a camera in 2018 for $2,000.00, that camera is stolen and the replacement cost is now $2400.00, Allstate will give me $2400.00 to buy a new one.
So, it is a rider or separate policy that only insures my photography equipment.
Trust me, they are very concerned about my Sony 600 f4 lens. But they will now replace it if it is stolen.