How do I freeze bugs???

[KobraCarry]

Ok, not in the freezer! I'm trying some macro with an XTi and a 100mm 2.8 macro lens. I've also attached a 2x and/or 4x filter. I've got ants crawling in and out of a section of rock at my house, but they never stop moving or slow down! With the lens just a few inches away, what's the best way to freeze the action and get a really clear shot? Thanks

[kenw]

just make sure that the shutter speed you use is fast enough.

In most macro cases you want to use Av mode, but let's start you off with Tv. In Tv you select the shutter speed and the camera selects the aperture (Av), in this case a shutter fast enough to freeze them lil' buggers dead in their tracks. Start around 1/250, go faster if they are still blurry.

(the bug experts may chime in at any time...)

There are more technically astute ways to go about this, but this will get you started.

[gardener]

Are you using an external flash unit?
In the case of quickly moving insects, your shutter speed is usually going to have to be up in the microsecond (1/250 or faster) catagory if you're not going to be using flash. WITH flash, your shutter speed becomes a function of the flash duration so you can dial the flash down while leaving shutter speed at the sync point of 1/200-1/250-whatever it is for your particular camera to stop the action.

[brad]

Liquid Nitrogen

Very effective and kinda fun... especially on fire ants.

[The Philos]

Originally Posted by brad

Liquid Nitrogen

Very effective and kinda fun... especially on fire ants.

Link to place to purchase.

[swanny338]

If compressed air wasn't soo... Compressed. I it could do a decent job if you turned it upside down and sprayed a little bit of the liquid on them.

[mike.strock]

Personally, I was thinking freezer.

Mike.

[Howard Barlow]

Light coat of XXtra hold hair spray. Heck, it may be to messy for pictures, but it's fun to watch them slow down and come to a shellacked halt.

[iCe]

You could always just ask them to hold up for a second

Flash them... and even then they might be moving to fast. Also- lose the x filters. You've got a great macro lens. If you think you need to get closer pick up some Kenko or Canon extension tubes. A tripod will eliminate the movement on your end.

[arlon]

Ditto the flash. I like flash for that purpose. Just be sure to stop down to the point that the exposure is all flash or you'll get fuzzy images. Then again if you have to stop down too far, you'll get fuzzy images from diffraction. I think that's your only option.

If you had a Nikon D50, you could use the flash at 1/4000 sec and it would sync just fine. The D50 allows you to use shutter to reduce exposure rather than aperture after the normal sync speed. D50 is my all time favorite macro camera. Being able to use f8 (sharpest aperture), 1/4000 sec (to control ambient light) and full flash power can give some very nice sharp images..

Getting the flash where you want it can also be a challenge. I use a reversed lens from time to time to get really close and it makes it difficult to use a ring flash. I cobbled togather a snoot for my cameras flash that can point the light right in front of the lens. Pretty useful in certain situatons.. See the snoot HERE.

[KobraCarry]

Thanks for all the great info! I posted a photo in the macro forum. All your help worked out well. Time to head to the yard and find more ants!

[arlon]

This is cheating but you might try it..

Small container and a chunk of modeling clay. Get a stick just taller than the container, stick in ant bed, stick stick (with ants) into clay that's in the container that has a little water in it. Add water to run the ants up the stick... Pretty soon you'll have a few ants at the top of a stick with no place to go and you can shoot them till you're tired of it..

Just crop above the water line and watch for escapees.. (-:}