#8
Post
by KurtM » Sat Dec 19, 2015 1:10 am
Thanks again, all! I should have some interesting stuff coming up in the next few weeks and months, as winter time is prime time to hole up in the lab and do stuff like this (Rod knows what I mean!).
Camera equipment:
Canon T3i body
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens
Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG for Canon EOS Lenses
Pixel Mago ETTL Speedlite for Canon
LED Ring Light illuminator (eBay item number: 271435251906) <---incredible value!
Burton 1170 Research Illuminator (a refined Spencer No. 370 clone)
I mix and match all kinds of stuff as I explore what works, what's a tedious PITA and what's more fun, what doesn't drain the batteries quite so fast, what lighting looks best, etc., etc., etc. I had been shooting remotely through the laptop computer using Canon Utility software, but am trying a simpler approach by skipping the computer altogether and using a simple shutter trip (Canon RS-60E3 Remote Switch). Also experimenting with skipping the flash and going with slower shutter speeds using Live View, which allows me to focus using the LCD screen, and provides mirror lockup.
I get best results with the most complicated rig, naturally, but oftentimes I see something that makes me want to get a picture fast, but just don't have time to jump through all the hoops. Therefore, the big push now is to streamline the process as much as possible to minimize missed shots due to futzy set up.
I'm in the process of launching a new micro aquarium today, hope to get some good cladocera pics coming in soon.
CE: Yes, those are definitely the stinging cells, or nematocyts. You oughta see 'em in action when some cladocera or ostracod gets hit by 'em. It almost hurts to watch, the poor guys just instantly freeze, paralyzed. Sometimes they stick to the tentacle, which transfers the victim to the mouth where the Hydra swallows it whole; other times it doesn't stick, and sinks to the bottom still paralyzed. There, it may die, or sometimes will recover and resume its little life. Sometimes Hydra just holds the victim for a while before either swallowing or dropping it. Who knows what's going in it's brain (wait, Hydra doesn't have a brain). I keep wanting to offer a finger and see if it stings me or is too small to feel, but I'm too chicken to try it.
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