[Kate]

Well, I finally got my new tripod (Manfrotto 724B) yesterday, so what better subject to try it out on than some macro shots... just thought I'd share them with you.

I keep and breed a variety of tarantulas. Came back from Estonia a month ago and found that one of my mated females had laid an eggsac (they lay their eggs on a thick matting of web, roll it into a ball and carry it around in their palps). I usually leave eggsacs with the female for a month for the eggs to develop into nymphs, after which I remove the sac and put them into an artifical incubator. This weekend me and the bf pulled the sac, and here are the results... Approx 70 tiny nymph2 Poecilotheria formosas At this stage they're still half egg/half spider. i.e. they can't feed themselves and have very limited movement. Once they undergo their next moult, they'll be running all over the shop and I won't be able to get a shot of them standing still! lol

Taken using 300D with 50mm F1.8 lens, with 20mm Kenko extension tube, cable release and Centon ring flash (detached from camera).







I also took one with the 36mm Kenko extension tube. Link can be found below (it's over 1000px wide):
http://www.roguesgallery.com/pix/formosalings05.jpg

And here's the proud Mum:
(Taken last year with a Fuji A303 before I got my 300D)


Comments/Critiques/Tips/Hints welcome

[Matty]

really is quiet disturbing that, but very cool..

what is the flash you used?

[Kate]

Originally Posted by EosD

really is quiet disturbing that, but very cool..

what is the flash you used?

A Centon MR 20 Ringflash. Bought for £60 a few years ago, and still around the same price now I think. It's fully manual (as you would expect for £60), so it's all a bit hit and miss, but you soon learn exactly how it behaves Absolutely perfect for my needs though!

[ppuga]

Its amazing and weird at the same time. The macros are great, and its very intresting your other hobbie.

[Cyd]

Wow! How interesting. I really like the second pic - the arrangement is really efective ( how long did it take you to train them to pose like that :wink: ) My young son is really into insects and spiders so more of this please

[Gary Bagshawe]

Cooooool1 Great shots, Im am scared to death of spiders though.

[Oz]

Originally Posted by Gary Bagshawe

Cooooool1 Great shots, Im am scared to death of spiders though.

Me too - sad but true.

BTW is the spidey top right in pic no 2 on his/her back?

[Kate]

Originally Posted by Oz

Me too - sad but true.

BTW is the spidey top right in pic no 2 on his/her back?

Yes it is. You can see the tiny fangs on it if you look carefully Being on its back does it absolutely no harm at this stage, as they don't really move around much, they just lie there wiggling their legs a bit They can walk, but they're absolutely useless at it and VERY slow.

Thanks for all the comments guys Really chuffed!