Lily

Looking at this, I think Mr. Warman just wants to be coated in cocoa powder.

Any chance you know what type of camera DW uses for nature photography? Do you have a preference? I'm looking to upgrade whenever the economy recovers.

Fiddler: The camera is a Pentax K100D. Already obsoleted, I do not know if the newer versions have the same image characteristics or if they sacrificed anything for more automation features.

It is 'only' 6Mp, but I have to say they are very nice pixels indeed. One of the factors in image quality is the junction noise level from the semiconductors. At 6Mp in a 2/3 ratio 35mm equivalence, the larger pixel area means better noise figures, all else being constant. This is where DSLR cameras totally out-shine the pocket snappers, even when the latter have more pixels.

But for me, what turns the nice feel into magic is the glass I use - a vintage 1978 SMC Pentax M 100mm 1:4 macro lens. Pure manual, but far superior to the modern kit lenses, and also for macro photography auto-focus makes the wrong choice far more often than not. The ability to use this old lens with the modern K100D was a prime factor in choosing the camera body.

You really have to see these at full resolution on a large quality monitor, say a 37" Aquos at 3'.

The flickr photos grrlscientist posted also have full EXIF data, so you can get more exposure details there.

Cocoa powder? Hmm. Hadn't thought of that.

Excellent, thank you for the explanations, David!

Incredible photos, David. Thanks for sharing!