Sadly I just can't afford the Nikon one (I'm too badly paid!) so I've got to make do with my old secondhand Siggy

That is better Nicola, the bit in the corner you could easily clone, if it bugged you Geddit bugged you!! .... I know useless joke

That's a nice shot Nicola - good on you for trying something new

Thanks!!

I'm now wondering whether the softness is to do with the fact that it's cropped quite a bit rather than the lens??

I'm sure I've had reasonable results from the lens before..guess 105mm just isn't long enough for these guys!

105 is long enough - you do need to get close though. Tubes can help - but now I have them I don't use them that often - except on the very small. Cropping won't help either - it could well be that that's causing you problems

xx

Hoverflies don't let you get that close...they have an annoying tendency to "Hover Off"

I know from frustrating experience but with patience you'll get there - there's really nothing like getting close to your subject - same for all things small really! My opinion anyway!

Try butterflies! Little sods drive me to distraction!

xx

I think it's fine. The composition works & the insect is sharp enough for these old eyes. You must know by now I love bright colors and this shot is brilliant.

Thanks Bob!

Have also realised that I didn't use flash, that would definitely have made it sharper! Must invest in a decent ring flash at some point.

.....or how about a different perspective.