Moving onto a Nikon D750 Full Frame again provided better quality. No need for extension tubes etc, this time I used a Nikon 105mm Macro, a great lens but very heavy. After about 2 years I moved to the Sigma 105mm macro lens which is great, lighter, very sharp and quick auto focus.
With the two macro flashes (see last blog) it was an amazing set up and you could also crop as well. One thing to remember with a full frame camera is that your depth of field is a lot smaller than using a crop frame.
Using the flash you could get F16 so this helped with the depth of field. The other great thing about Digital cameras are that you can see the results straight away so if the subject allows you can always take another set if its out of focus.
Most digital cameras today can give good results on AF but sometime you are better with manual focus and this is the way forward to get better more consistent results. Keep the 1:1 and just move back and forth to get into focus. On AF if it doesn't focus and moves in and out trying to gain focus you may loose an opportunity.
Its not always possible to use a tripod as it could disturb the vegetation alerting the insect, i have found image stabilisation good enough to hand hold, especially if using the flash. Nikon gives about 3 stops of IS, don't forget this wont help to freeze the subject just help with camera shake.
Don't forget you are working in the insects environment, so be careful that you don't damage the vegetation, or injure the insect in any way, its just not ethical. Some photographers will kill the insect to take ultra close ups. If they are already dead, found in a spiders web, or found dead elsewhere then I don't mind using them. Other collect insects then put them in the fridge for a while to slow them down, its just on on.
The challenge is always to try and take them in their environment, it may be tricky but its a better achievement in the end.
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