Macro Diffuser Prototype for the Mirrorless System

Ever since I posted an article on my lighting and diffusion techniques for the mirrorless system, there have been many requests for a step-by-step tutorial on how i make my diffuser.  I wasn't able to fulfil these requests immediately simply because I didn't want to rush the process - I have actually been working on a better diffuser and I really wanted to test it out first before sharing the "goodies" on the internet. I have been tinkering with various diffusion materials as well as diffuser designs over the past few weeks and I think I might finally have my first prototype ready.

Camera Body: Olympus OM-D EM1
Lenses: M.Zuiko 60mm macro lens with a Raynox dcr-250 attached
Flash-Unit: Olympus fl-14 flash
Diffuser: Prototype A

For more on these equipments, click here.

Here are some sample photos. Le me know what you think! * Please click to Enlarge*

A Classic Cosmophasis species - Tiny, Sparkly and absolutely fabulous! Legspan around 1cm or 10mm.

A very hard subject to photograph considering how tiny and sparkly it is. I am glad that my new diffuser was able to capture the details!

A tiny Thread Legged bug (Emisinae), a subfamily of the assassin bug that has raptorial legs like a mantis, found living 20 metres underground in an abandoned World War One Bunker!

 I only managed 2 hasty shots of this beautiful jumper because we had to leave the location immediately due to bad weather. Turns out that both photos came out rather OK! 

I am not too sure of the ID although I am pretty sure it is a gravid female!

Can you tell what this is?

It is a nymph of an assassin bug (Reduviidae) that has coated itself in mud and sand, presumably as a form of camouflage! It was really going after the Derelict-look.

Now this is an interesting one. You have probably seen or heard about Rhinoceros and Rhinoceros Beetles but have you seen a Rhinoceros Spider? This is a male Thorelliola ensifera  (<5mm or 0.5cm),  commonly known as the Rhino Garden Jumper, that has a pair of tightly held horns on its clypeus. I have seen many photographs of this spider but very few that actually showcase this unique physical trait that lends it its name. See if you can spot the horn!

It was so tiny that i didn't know that it was actually feeding! I couldn't see the prey item in the viewfinder at all prior to reviewing on my my Macbook.

A mite-infested Big-Jawed spider (Tetragnatha sp).

It was hiding underneath a metal pipe which was right next to a heavily flooded monsoon drain.

Okay, not my best backlighting shot but it does show the 'insides' of this leaf-mimicking katydid nymph, Chondroderella cf. borneensis (1.5cm or 15mm). Kinda look like a shrimp, a leaf shrimp! For my tutorial on backlighting macro, please click here.

Beautiful bug with incredibly intricate markings on its back.

Possibly a beetle larva? Less than 5mm in length. It looks like a tiny brain.

I am pretty pleased with the catchlight on this diffuser given that this beetle is really tiny!

 Another Assassin bug (Reduviidae) with a striking coloration - To Hell with camouflage!

If avocado have legs.

A tiny cricket nymph (2mm) that made this algae-covered signboard its home. It looked like a speck of white dust with the naked eye but under a macro lens, it completely transformed into a gorgeous princess.. ( I am assuming its a she!)

One of my favourite subjects to photograph besides spiders, and definitely one of the hardest, due to its size and light-reflective nature. I really liked the soft catchlight on this ant (Camponotus sp.)!

I bumped up the exposure compensation on this Diptera since it was hiding quite deep in the foliage.

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In conclusion, I definitely think that there is an improvement from my last diffuser. It probably needs a little fine-tuning but so far I am very happy with the results. Stay tuned for an in-depth tutorial, coming soon!