So, the deal is I am trying to learn to take better pics. I have a wobbly tripod, experimental side lighting, and a crick in my neck (those are my excuses, which I will abandon when I finally perfect my lighting, stability and F stops). Still learning. Almost there. Need to find a good ‘how to’ on using the Canon 100mm macro to get a more crisp shot. The lens came with nothing helpful. The image looks as sharp as can be thru eyepiece, but not quite there.
SwittersB & Exploring 
Via Jay Moor’s site, The Strobist. Lighting with strobes how-to’s, this one looks interesting in particular for lighting flies up- http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html
Right in my price range! This wouldn’t require strobes for Digital bodies, just use tungsten, florescent, whatever and set the cameras white balance to the lights and have at it. Slick! Just need to figure out a mount for the fly inside the box?
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Wow! Cool…thanks Wayne.
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You bet, if I come up with something that works I’ll pass it on. Ditto on the compliments for http//swittersb.wordpress.com, it’s a daily stop for me, great stuff!
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I’m messing around photographing flies too. I had the canon 100mm macro. Great lens. I have an old light table w/daylight balanced lights but need to add another light source I think. Little mirrors help too. Check the hobby shops for them.
I don’t know if you have tried this yet but you can increase your area of sharp focus (depth of field) by increasing your f-stop. Instead of using f5.6 use f8 etc. You will of course have to increase your light by either adding more light to the subject or opening up on your shutter speed, instead of 1/30 open up to 1/15 and so on.
Also, most camera lenses are sharpest in the middle apertures, f8 area usually because it is using the center of optics.
I have a canon G9 that I have been using for a few months. One of the reasons I got it was its Macro capabilities. It’s only drawback is that you have to work right on top of your subject. However, I have found that because it’s a 12MP chip I can back off some and crop. Like yourself, I am working on method that doesn’t make you crazy and looks good.
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Thanks Wayne! Year ago when cameras were manual I seemed to comprehend aperture and shutter speeds. Then, progressively, I forgot what to do. Now, in order to take better pics in manual mode…back to basics. Thanks for the how to info. I like your site and your work too! http://willfishforwork.com
Gary
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