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Could someone please confirm, or otherwise, my ID?



Click here for larger image>>http://www.imagei...idc-XL.jpg

Thank you

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This angle is not enough. Maybe if you also have the face in view?

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Thank you for replying Andre. I am sorry but I do not have a face view of this hoverfly.

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On jizz, I think it's Platycheirus scutatus, female. The shapes match those of the ones I have, and I know I have the male.

Just practising... ;)

Janet :)

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Good morning Janet and thanks for your reply.;)
I normally take 2-3 angles on insects but this one steadfastly refused to co-operate until it flew off.

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Good evening Peter. :)

How are you at holding your camera with one hand? I do it often, it is a heavy weight but well balanced so I get better results when they won't co-operate, that is if they hang around!

I find they don't fly off so easily when it's windy which is what we get a lot of, so if possible try holding the flower stem below the flower with one hand. Have your focus preset, I do it at 0.4m on the 105mm macro lens which is close enough to get a good focus and you don't have to stretch your arms too far. I do have a 2x TC though!

BTW, there is a Syrphidae forum which would be best for these.

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Good evening Janet;)
Thanks for your reply. All my shots are hand-held and I also break the unwritten rule and use auto-focus for macro work. I have used the traditional method of manual focus but found I had to throw away far too many exposures with that method. C-AF works brilliantly as final focus takes place only after the shutter is fully depressed. The camera settings avoid rapid changes in focus but will remain locked on to the image I pre-focus on. I use both hands as I have not yet mastered using the swivel screen instead of the viewfinder. I might try this again soon as there have been many occasions when I just could not achieve the angle I needed. I used to use a 1.4 xTC with the Sigma 150mm macro lens but stopped doing so to avoid refractions.

Thanks for the tip on the other forum;)

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Swivel screen? Not on my DSLR there isn't, I use the viewfinder and shoot in manual. It's a nearly clapped out Nikon D40X after 3 years of hammering! The flash takes around 4 seconds now to recharge, but that just makes me more careful of when I hit that button. Timing, like learning to ride a bike. I wouldn't be getting the magnification if I used auto settings, it's a must and I only take hand held, insects wouldn't hang around for a tripod would they! :D

Which camera are you using Peter, your pics are usually quite good. Of course my lens has VR which helps, but the total weight of lens and camera is around 3.75 lb!

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Hi Janet
I use the Olympus E3 with the Sigma 150 DG macro lens. It comes in at a similar weight to yours. The camera has internal Image Stabalisation (IS) which obviously is effective whichever lens you fit. Olympus do an extension tube (effectively a 2x magnifier) which allows the electronics to pass through to the lens. I will probably end up buying one of these later as my lens does not have a manual aperture ring and also for the advantage of no additional glass to cause refractions. They are not cheap though.
I have been amazed how some people still manage to use Tripods although, on one occasion I tried a monopod. I found that, by the time you settled, you probly would get a pretty flower or leaf - the insect being long-gone:@. It's hard enough to get a camera in position without having to worry about a pole.