When macro photography exceeds 1x magnification. 2x and beyond…

So, I still have yet to obtain an ideal 5 set picture showing the greatness of the Canon MP-E65 1x-5x F2.8 lens. Its a sunny day today, say 38-40 Degrees Celsius, I took my macro set out to the garden in search of a subject capable of displaying intense details at multiple magnifications.

No sooner then 5 minutes, after my warm up with the common black ant,

I spotted a dragonfly by a bamboo branch. As I approach this lightning fast insect at times, I draw my lens back to the minimal 1:1 magnification, and gently position my flash to the adequate angle and distance, SNAP

1) Dragonfly @ 1:1 Magnification.

2) Seems to be like a pretty still one today, Magnification now increase to 2:1

3) Hehe, adrenaline starts kicking in. Moving in for the “kill”. 5:1. Somehow I forgotten 3x and 4x :p

and another at the Wing and Abdominal section

Right when I was done, I took a peep at my flash and saw the setting was in Manual mode. Well, I don’t know if thats correct by I normally have my Flash at in ETTL mode with 50mm distance pre-set + 0 FEC.

Heheh. Pictures are a bit small, check the rest of it out @ my Flickr Set