A plain photo of a bee-mimicking orchid, taken about two weeks ago in the Galilee. The location was a bit unusual for this species, and it was also a bit past it's season (spring in Israel lasts about a week...), so I was particularly happy to find such a nice specimen.

Canon Elan II. 28-135IS USM lens @135 + 250D close-up lens (on a 72-58mm step-down ring). Canon 380EX flash with a diffuser on an extension cord (fill-in). Fuji Provia 100F. The frame was cropped to remove the dark corners (vignetting is unavoidable with this improvised macro setup).

-- Tuvik Beker (tuvik@cns.tau.ac.il), April 26, 2001

Answers

As I look at the white bud (?) between the leaves and the tips at the top of the bloom, I have trouble determining whether they are out of focus or just softened by the scan. I think, though, that the flower is not entirely within the depth of field you used. The flower could probably be sharper in general; my guess is that's due to using the close-up lens.

Interesting macro setup. If a Canon macro lens is out of the question pricewise, you might consider a third-party macro lens (Sigma, Tamron). It would definitely take care of the vignetting, and would likely give you sharper results than using a close-up lens.

-- Christian Deichert (torgophile@aol.com), April 27, 2001.

I believe you are right, Christian. In fact the results of the 'improvised' macro setup in that very same hike convinced me that I indeed have to buy a real macro lens. A week later I found a used Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro, and an ML-3 macro ring-light, and this setup undoubtedly gives much sharper results (and is much easier to operate).

-- Tuvik Beker (tuvik@cns.tau.ac.il), May 01, 2001.