Thanks RWCRNC!

Thank you Brenda, so very kind of you.

Thanks Bill - I've been working that darned concave concept for a couple years. About time I started to get a handle on it. I've got a system down where I can make a new hardbox in a couple hours. Seems like I make a new one every couple of weeks trying to account for deficiencies I find as I use them. If you ever need an old prototype let me know I must have 20 of 'em.

Thanks for the lofty sentiments Douglass... I have a very long way to go before I start nipping at Kurt's heels.

Thanks Bob, I didn't realize these were a problem until I started researching the sharpshooter for ID purposes. It's too bad they are such a pest as they are lovely bugs...

Thanks Tom, likewise I always look forward to what's going on in Beast Texas ;-)

Thanks OT - MP-E is my favorite field lens but every now and then I wish it would back out.... 1:5 and it would be as close to perfect as a field closeup/macro lens could get. I have to admit the Venus piques my interest but I can't justify it with so many other things I'd like to get...

Thank you Allen - Macro-venture are the best ventures. I as I get more and more images under my belt I enjoy documenting the shots as well. Mark Twain, I am not, but I do hope that my notes will prove fruitful when my mind forgets the details.

Since you're selling the Jag how about getting me a 5DS R too, old buddy ;-) Instead of swapping pictures over UHH we can compare notes in real time... While you're at it get us a couple of those Zeiss 100mm lenses with a red T and asterisk ;-)

Interesting, I'm not seeing any of the facets in critical focus, mushy. Looking just to the right of the eye edge you can see noise grain and that translates to to the mush in that area of the stack. Just looking at the individual frame and seeing no critical focus I'm thinking you have slight vibration in the rig causing issues. Attached for reference is a 3:1 stack of a small bee. MP-E attached to an Oly EM1 with adapter. I wasn't overjoyed with the sharpness but it is a better result than what you are seeing with a larger sensor and pixel size. Haven't worked out the math for the aperture, magnification, and pixel size differences (my head hurts thinking about it) but I'm guessing the settings are in the ballpark...

Shot specs - OM-D E-M1 - MP-E 65mm @ 3:1 - 150 frame stack - f/2.8 - ISO 100 - SS 1/320 - 600EX-RT flash @ 1/16 power with DIY concave diffuser - Zeiss Microscope fine focus block used to move camera.

(Download)

Ignore my comment about the trigger voltage in your other post. I see you are aware of it. If you do want to mount the flash on the hotshoe a Wein safe sync should do the trick:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/245292/?gclid=CIqD_oGtu8YCFY9ffgodb0wIDQ
Nice photo and welcome to the macro forum.

Caterpillar is pretty but second spider is a keeper in my book. You nailed the eyes on the 6 and 7. To this day I still find a good fly eye most satisfying...

Very clever and well seen Brenda. Who would have thought to look for refractions in spittle drops. Makes perfect sense now that you have done it...

The other issue you have with the syrphid is the ridges are much smaller than those found on the aphid nymph. It's going to take some playing with the shot angle to give it a sense of depth. This should be a frustratingly fun subject to photograph...

Looking forward to the mite eviction Brenda...