this one was found by using a sweepnet through weedy vegetation. Another good way to find them is under boards, and look on the underside of the board when you lift it. They're pretty small, from .5mm to around 2mm. I'm using the Canon 65mm macro lens at about 3:1 to 4:1 magnification.

I'm using a Nikon 105mm macro lens, 1:1, if I understand it right, with a homemade diffuser (sometimes). Hand held for everything. I wasn't aware that you can do more than 1:1 without add-ons like tubes, etc. I'm at the new to photography, groping my way along stage, which is a fun stage. Ever since I can remember I've wanted to be able to see small creatures larger. It was wonderful to find BugGuide a few months ago.

Do you make a sweepnet or buy them somewhere and how large should it be? When you gather up little creatures what do put them in and do you then release them?

Your images have such a distinct quality that when I'm looking down a page of thumbnails they standout and say Tom Murray to me. I'm happy that you keep putting so many here and really enjoy seeing them.

I'm not sure what lenses are available for Nikon cameras, but the Canon 65mm macro is a fully manual lens that can be adjusted from 1:1 to 5:1.
It isn't an easy lens to use, and I need to use a ring type flash with it.

Most of the time I'm sweeping, I just use a white plastic dishpan you can get at Walmart for $2. It's easy to see what's in there, but flying insects are gone in an instant. Sometimes I use my dragonfly net. Real sweepnets can be bought on the net at Bioquip. I use small plastic vials with a cap that I've gotten from Bioquip to place the bugs in for transport home. Then I chill them in the fridge to slow them down to make it easier to photograph. Don't put them in the freezer, that would kill them. After I get my pictures, I release most of the bugs. I keep a few specimens to send out to be identified by a few different specialists. I don't keep any for myself, since I don't have a specimen collection.