Macro Photo thread
Discussion
A first for me! Got this squelching around in what was basically a swamp with reeds up to my chest wind blowing everything around and rain blowing through for a bonus. Miracle I got anything at all 
Emerald Damselfly by Dibbly Dobbler, on Flickr
Emerald Damselfly by Dibbly Dobbler, on Flickr
How are you getting so close to the damsel flys ? They bugger off if I try getting that close.
I have been refining my technique with the 400mm + extention tubes. Dammn hard to get a shot, best shot from the ground which means lots of shuffling about. Quite rewarding when it all comes together though....
Canadian_Goose_Headshot_Close by natureiser, on Flickr
Canadian_Gosling_Youngster by natureiser, on Flickr
I have been refining my technique with the 400mm + extention tubes. Dammn hard to get a shot, best shot from the ground which means lots of shuffling about. Quite rewarding when it all comes together though....
Canadian_Goose_Headshot_Close by natureiser, on FlickrCanadian_Gosling_Youngster by natureiser, on Flickr
!) so this was with natural light and a reflector.
Ed - ID please mate!
ExPat2B said:
How are you getting so close to the damsel flys ? They bugger off if I try getting that close.
I have been refining my technique with the 400mm + extention tubes. Dammn hard to get a shot, best shot from the ground which means lots of shuffling about. Quite rewarding when it all comes together though....
Canadian_Goose_Headshot_Close by natureiser, on Flickr
Canadian_Gosling_Youngster by natureiser, on Flickr
These are great - how close were you?I have been refining my technique with the 400mm + extention tubes. Dammn hard to get a shot, best shot from the ground which means lots of shuffling about. Quite rewarding when it all comes together though....
Canadian_Goose_Headshot_Close by natureiser, on FlickrCanadian_Gosling_Youngster by natureiser, on FlickrThe answer to your question is - with great difficulty! Always do these in the evening which helps as they're less active but basically it's a bugger as you need to be about 4 inches away with the MPE-65 which is nuts really
Now if only they made an MPE-100 or MPE-150 - mmm
DibblyDobbler said:
Now if only they made an MPE-100 or MPE-150 - mmm
I've heard good reports about Sigma 180mm f/2.8 OS macro lens. Granted it doesn't have the 5x mag of the MP-E 65 but it must be a lot easier to stand further back and shoot Damsel flies etc. The Sigma 100mm f/2.8 macro also gets excellent reviews and it's half the price of the Canon equivalent. Do the 1:1 macro lenses (i.e. other than the MP-E) not have good enough resolution to permit heavy cropping? 2slo said:
I've heard good reports about Sigma 180mm f/2.8 OS macro lens. Granted it doesn't have the 5x mag of the MP-E 65 but it must be a lot easier to stand further back and shoot Damsel flies etc. The Sigma 100mm f/2.8 macro also gets excellent reviews and it's half the price of the Canon equivalent. Do the 1:1 macro lenses (i.e. other than the MP-E) not have good enough resolution to permit heavy cropping?
I hear what you are saying Mark but I've already had a 100 and 2 100Ls at various times in the past and ended up never using them and always picking up the MPE - bit like trying a joint when you've been on crack if you see what I mean 
[cough] a bit like being offered a pint of ace lager after you've been drinking single malts, yes, I see what you mean 
I might be tempted by a macro lens at some point (go on, say it, you've got every other bloody lens!) only because I quite like taking pics of butterflies and moths etc when I'm out looking for birds. There are good results to be had with ext tubes and the tele's I've got but a lightweight 100mm macro ready fitted on a 7D would be worth putting in the bag. The Sigma 100mm at about 350 quid looks good.
I might be tempted by a macro lens at some point (go on, say it, you've got every other bloody lens!) only because I quite like taking pics of butterflies and moths etc when I'm out looking for birds. There are good results to be had with ext tubes and the tele's I've got but a lightweight 100mm macro ready fitted on a 7D would be worth putting in the bag. The Sigma 100mm at about 350 quid looks good.
2slo said:
I might be tempted by a macro lens at some point (go on, say it, you've got every other bloody lens!) only because I quite like taking pics of butterflies and moths etc when I'm out looking for birds. There are good results to be had with ext tubes and the tele's I've got but a lightweight 100mm macro ready fitted on a 7D would be worth putting in the bag. The Sigma 100mm at about 350 quid looks good.
Sounds like a cunning plan - for bigger stuff the 100mm is perfect. Flash + diffuser will make things much easier (naked flash can be too harsh).DibblyDobbler said:
These are great - how close were you?
The answer to your question is - with great difficulty! Always do these in the evening which helps as they're less active but basically it's a bugger as you need to be about 4 inches away with the MPE-65 which is nuts really
Now if only they made an MPE-100 or MPE-150 - mmm
About 2-3 meters away. You have a range of only 2 meters to play with.. 2 meters is too close, 4 meters too far away ! The answer to your question is - with great difficulty! Always do these in the evening which helps as they're less active but basically it's a bugger as you need to be about 4 inches away with the MPE-65 which is nuts really
Now if only they made an MPE-100 or MPE-150 - mmm
I took a couple of damsel fly shots today with the combo...your and ddarno's put mine very much to shame. I was really struggling as I did them in the heat and they were way too active. This was 2 meters away, handheld, no flash.
Red_Damsel_Fly by natureiser, on FlickrEdited by ExPat2B on Thursday 3rd July 21:48
Today was a good day....
First I managed to sneak up on some damselflies
Mating_Red_Damsel_Flies by natureiser, on Flickr
Red_Damsel_Closeup by natureiser, on Flickr
Then I got a perfect setup for the 400mm Macro rig - a perch used by a four spotted darting Dragonfly. Almost exactly 2 meters away, in the middle of a small pond, the perfect distance for the rig.
400mm_Macro_Setup by natureiser, on Flickr
The shots :
4_Spotted_Chaser_DragonFly_04 by natureiser, on Flickr
4_Spotted_Chaser_DragonFly_03 by natureiser, on Flickr
4_Spotted_Chaser_DragonFly by natureiser, on Flickr
First I managed to sneak up on some damselflies
Mating_Red_Damsel_Flies by natureiser, on FlickrRed_Damsel_Closeup by natureiser, on FlickrThen I got a perfect setup for the 400mm Macro rig - a perch used by a four spotted darting Dragonfly. Almost exactly 2 meters away, in the middle of a small pond, the perfect distance for the rig.
400mm_Macro_Setup by natureiser, on FlickrThe shots :
4_Spotted_Chaser_DragonFly_04 by natureiser, on Flickr4_Spotted_Chaser_DragonFly_03 by natureiser, on Flickr4_Spotted_Chaser_DragonFly by natureiser, on Flickr
A couple from today in the garden
Brown Hawker by NRE, on Flickr
Bee on Lavender - crop by NRE, on Flickr
Brown Hawker by NRE, on FlickrBee on Lavender - crop by NRE, on FlickrA selection from this morning.
Ruddy Darter by ddarno, on Flickr
Black Darter Dragonfly by ddarno, on Flickr
Gatekepper Butterfly by ddarno, on Flickr
Green Grasshopper by ddarno, on Flickr
Hover Fly by ddarno, on Flickr
Ruddy Darter by ddarno, on Flickr
Black Darter Dragonfly by ddarno, on Flickr
Gatekepper Butterfly by ddarno, on Flickr
Green Grasshopper by ddarno, on Flickr
Hover Fly by ddarno, on Flickr
Great work Gents 
A couple from last night:
Green Damsel by Dibbly Dobbler, on Flickr
Brown Damsel by Dibbly Dobbler, on Flickr
A couple from last night:
Green Damsel by Dibbly Dobbler, on Flickr
Brown Damsel by Dibbly Dobbler, on Flickr
Using the Sigma 150mm 2.8 macro at a distance of 750mm with about 25% crop
Small Heath by sinky 911, on Flickr
Small Heath by sinky 911, on FlickrEdited by JSS 911 on Monday 7th July 18:44
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