small robber fly

I think these guys have a super power in that they cannot be focused upon... I must have taken 50 photos of these today and this is the best I was able to manage.

comments (10)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Do you mean with auto focus or manual focus? Posted 3 years ago
1. morpheme
  
  Lion
  
  with autofocus.. though often with very small things I will often lock the focus and move the lens, as it takes only millimeters to be in or out.. Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I often use auto focus too and in particular have this problem with subjects with massive bulb-like eyes, also found in dragonflies. Since it's a smooth/low-contrast area, the camera struggles to find depth, to find the point closest to you to lock on to. I pretty much use the same technique you described to avoid it.
    
    Smaller aperture also helps, but you'd need to make a big step up, say f/16 - f/20. Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. morpheme
      
      Lion
      
      Ha - I have 23 photos (I found one feeding later on that wasn't bothered by me..) all shot at f16, no luck.. this little fly just doesn't like publicity ;). It is very small - especially for a robber fly and that doesn't help. Even at f16 the DOF is very shallow at this magnification. These little guys are prolific this year... I don't know if I just wasn't looking before, or if it's been a very good year for them, but they were pretty much everywhere I stopped yesterday. Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Tiny erratic subjects, truly a pain! From the outside, it does look to me like you've shifted focus, no pun intended, on different subjects. Diptera, smaller things. Said it before, really love that. Posted 3 years ago
      2. morpheme
        
        Lion
        
        I am a creature of opportunity. Now I have a macro lens that is fast enough for critters - things that can run away and with enough magnification for the really wee creatures - :p and there are so many out there.
        No worries - I haven't forgotten mushrooms. When fall comes, they'll be back. Posted 3 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        I can totally relate. After adding 2:1 to the kit, yet another world opens that wasn't within reach before.
        
        Love your fungi and wildflower lists. In the same vain as Christine, you're an example of how a single person can cover so much ground in an area. It's absolutely invaluable. Posted 3 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

I feel your pain! I definitely struggle with focusing on these little buggers and don't have the photography knowledge that you have.

I'm looking forward to mushroom season, although people are predicting it won't be a good year for them here because of the drought. We actually had wildfires in my town today. Posted 3 years ago
1. morpheme
  
  Lion
  
  That's a little crazy. Out here in the west we expect it, but it's kind of unheard of on the east coast... at least I don't remember ever hearing about forest fires, growing up in PA. If they happened they were quite localized. It simply was never that dry. Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    These were the first I've ever seen. It was so bizarre. They suspect that the fires started from discarded cigarette(s). At least they were small enough to be extinguished quickly. A first for us, though. Posted 3 years ago