Yep Don I've got it, Now I've seen the photo's it become clear to me about the beam splitter.
Thanks for posting

Stevie was cutting back Fuchsia's today and putting them under cover in the workshop lean to to protect from frost.

Coming out of the workshop this evening I spotted a ladybird having a wander around on one of the plants.

Nightmare job taking these as they were manually focussed by the light of two 60 watt bulbs. 3 pics attached all full frame, and all hand held.

55mm AIS lens, and to add to the complication, plus 14mm extension tube and 2 x converter. Due to short lens to subject distance the diy ringflash could not handle this, so I used the Metz and the diffuser bowl.

Ladybird now transferred to a flowering plant that has some live bait on. :D :D

Don

Incredible shots Don, The lighting is spot on

Amazing close ups Don. I bet you are pleased with the lighting.

Todays pic to show the Ladybird has settled in to its new home.

Once again taken with 55mm AIS Macro, 14mm tube and 2 x converter.

The attached pic is full frame. Lens to subject distance is about 2 inches, so once again it is outside the ability of the diy ringflash. Reaslistic minimum lens to subject distance with the current diy ringflash is around 5 inches. Not that I could have got that to the subject anyway. The Ladybird is well inside the plant so even using the Metz and diffuser bowl off the camera, it was a tricky job getting light to it through the branches/foliage.

Next project is to look at is a reduced ringflash bowl depth to overcome this problem, as I do not have a 105mm macro to give improved lens to subject distance.

Don

why can't I find any bugs:(

That big owl of yours is scaring them all away :D

I don't want to cook them :D

Excellent picture.

I found this one today. Bit of a heavy duty crop as it is just under 1mm long.

Don