Mantis captured with Metz 15MS1 macro TTL flash

After decades of using Oly FL50 TTL flash with a variety of diffusers for macro work, I treated myself to a Metz 15 MS1.  What a delight to use - very light, filter mount and wireless remote TTL.  This praying mantis recently made his home defending my backyard plumeria and is giving me wonderful posing opportunities to use the flash.  Oly 60mm macro, G85.  I'll get some more practice with lighting setups (flash has two emitters with variations of balance L/R, diffusion and beam alignment) and the wireless remote setup.

Mantises are so much fun to photograph!  They often keep very still allowing you to photograph from many angles and get your shot just right.    You'll be hooked on bug macro now!

This one looks very similar to the African mantis which is a recent import into New Zealand and is extremely common now.  Sadly it has taken over the native mantis here (which I believe was originally maybe an import from Australia in the 19th century anyway!).

I've been looking through old photos and found a couple of the NZ native one taken in 2008 and 2009.  Sadly that was the last time I have seen them! 

kiwigirl wrote:

Mantises are so much fun to photograph! They often keep very still allowing you to photograph from many angles and get your shot just right. You'll be hooked on bug macro now!

I caught the 'macro bug' over 50 years ago with a Macro Travanar Schact lens with its own extension tube on my Pentax Spotmatic.  Still have that lens and have used it with M42 screw to M43 adapter on my m43 cameras.  The Oly 60 or a Minolta 0 on my P45-175 are still easier to use handheld for live subjects, but I might try the legacy lens on a tripod for stationary or dead bugs with the TTL flash - it will do 4X magnification, although a bear to focus wit the reduced light.  The mantis is staying very still so long as the front of the flash doesn't move the leaf he's on.  I've been with him through a molt a week ago, so he may be ready to shed again soon.  I watched him emerge but didn't have the camera in hand or time to get it - I arrived at the moment he pulled out of the old exoskeleton.