Fly Portrait, Super Macro

This is an outstanding macro image of the head of a fly by Eric aka Cerumen, taken with a bewildering array of paraphernalia.

Related links and notes:

» Forum post, and a larger version of the image

» Eric shares his technique for capturing this macro in the forum post, and a summary follows:

• The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro lens was manually focused to minimum distance » connected to 72mm of Kenko extension » connected to a 1.4 teleconverter » connected to the Nikon D70
• Eric chose a lens <| extension <| TC <| camera configuration for maximum magnification effect (reproduction size was approximately 3x) from the extension tubes, although this leads to a very short working distance.
• The fly was chilled in the fridge in a Tupperware container for 25 minutes, and flew off after nine shots were taken. The fly was placed on a piece of glass.
• Illumination was with an SB-800 through a Lumiquest lightbox at twelve o'clock, and a slaved old flash firing through a red gel and aimed at the fly from the side and below
• Shop for Nikon-compatible Kenko extension tubes and 1.4x teleconverters.

» See a picture of Eric's macro setup with explanatory notes

» Eric's website – there're tons of superb photos there and even some tips on postprocessing in 30 seconds