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View Full Version : Baby Spiders (not for the faint-hearted)

Kate
19-04-2005, 21:21
Well, I finally got my new tripod (Manfrotto 724B) yesterday, so what better subject to try it out on than some macro shots... just thought I'd share them with you.

I keep and breed a variety of tarantulas. Came back from Estonia a month ago and found that one of my mated females had laid an eggsac (they lay their eggs on a thick matting of web, roll it into a ball and carry it around in their palps). I usually leave eggsacs with the female for a month for the eggs to develop into nymphs, after which I remove the sac and put them into an artifical incubator. This weekend me and the bf pulled the sac, and here are the results... Approx 70 tiny nymph2 Poecilotheria formosas :) At this stage they're still half egg/half spider. i.e. they can't feed themselves and have very limited movement. Once they undergo their next moult, they'll be running all over the shop and I won't be able to get a shot of them standing still! lol

Taken using 300D with 50mm F1.8 lens, with 20mm Kenko extension tube, cable release and Centon ring flash (detached from camera).

http://www.roguesgallery.com/pix/formosalings02.jpg

http://www.roguesgallery.com/pix/formosalings03.jpg

http://www.roguesgallery.com/pix/formosalings04.jpg

I also took one with the 36mm Kenko extension tube. Link can be found below (it's over 1000px wide):
http://www.roguesgallery.com/pix/formosalings05.jpg

And here's the proud Mum:
(Taken last year with a Fuji A303 before I got my 300D)
http://www.roguesgallery.com/pix/formosamum.jpg

Comments/Critiques/Tips/Hints welcome :)
matty
19-04-2005, 22:08
really is quiet disturbing that, but very cool..

what is the flash you used?
Kate
19-04-2005, 22:15
really is quiet disturbing that, but very cool..

what is the flash you used?
A Centon MR 20 Ringflash. Bought for £60 a few years ago, and still around the same price now I think. It's fully manual (as you would expect for £60), so it's all a bit hit and miss, but you soon learn exactly how it behaves :) Absolutely perfect for my needs though!
ppuga
20-04-2005, 00:13
Its amazing and weird at the same time. The macros are great, and its very intresting your other hobbie.

:D
Cyd
20-04-2005, 07:25
Wow! How interesting. I really like the second pic - the arrangement is really efective ( how long did it take you to train them to pose like that :wink: ) My young son is really into insects and spiders so more of this please :D
Gary Bagshawe
20-04-2005, 10:31
Cooooool1 Great shots, Im am scared to death of spiders though.
Oz
20-04-2005, 21:25
Cooooool1 Great shots, Im am scared to death of spiders though.

Me too - sad but true.

BTW is the spidey top right in pic no 2 on his/her back?
Kate
20-04-2005, 22:23
Cooooool1 Great shots, Im am scared to death of spiders though.

Me too - sad but true.

BTW is the spidey top right in pic no 2 on his/her back?
Yes it is. You can see the tiny fangs on it if you look carefully :) Being on its back does it absolutely no harm at this stage, as they don't really move around much, they just lie there wiggling their legs a bit :D They can walk, but they're absolutely useless at it and VERY slow.

Thanks for all the comments guys :) Really chuffed!