Macro Photo thread

[DibblyDobbler]

Rich - just don't get an LED job, they are not powerful enough in my experience. If you get a decent 'real' flash the next trick is to diffuse the light (see above from Ed - lighting is beautiful )

[rich888]

DibblyDobbler said:

Rich - just don't get an LED job, they are not powerful enough in my experience. If you get a decent 'real' flash the next trick is to diffuse the light (see above from Ed - lighting is beautiful )

Oops, too late, I ordered one before I left work today. Oh well, will just have to see how well it performs whilst I attempt to take a few decent macro pics! Cheers anyway for the info

[DibblyDobbler]

rich888 said:

DibblyDobbler said:

Rich - just don't get an LED job, they are not powerful enough in my experience. If you get a decent 'real' flash the next trick is to diffuse the light (see above from Ed - lighting is beautiful )

Oops, too late, I ordered one before I left work today. Oh well, will just have to see how well it performs whilst I attempt to take a few decent macro pics! Cheers anyway for the info

Ah well. It will help you but in my experience maybe not by enough to be a satisfactory long term solution. Definitely better than nothing

[ddarno]

Fly by David Arnold, on Flickr


Bee by David Arnold, on Flickr


Bee by David Arnold, on Flickr

[Top Banana]

got some time today to have a play with my macro set-up

wasp macro by jon bawden, on Flickr

Ladybird macro by jon bawden, on Flickr

[ddarno]

Bee by David Arnold, on Flickr


Bee by David Arnold, on Flickr

[wrayvon]

Couple more from me, again not up to standard of the ones above but I'm still learning

DSC_0701 by Sam Wray, on Flickr

DSC_0734 by Sam Wray, on Flickr

DSC_0738 by Sam Wray, on Flickr

DSC_0744 by Sam Wray, on Flickr

[RobbieKB]

So, this is a weird one. I started macro photography because of this thread back all those years ago and hopefully this might make sense to one of you.

I've been getting some macro photography work of late and I've just landed a really good gig. I use my trusty Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1:2.8 (as it says on the barrel) and have done for a very long time. The lens has served me well but I just got the hump with it and it's lead me down a confusing road.

I was using the AF and it just couldn't lock on to a part of a watch. I was getting irritated and I st the AF mode from 'full' to 'limit' on the lens but it still couldn't manage it. Eventually I just did it manually. A little later I did it again and it took a good 9 seconds to find focus and I thought "the L version can't have this sort of problem!" So off I trot to try and do some man maths and trade this fella in for a shiny red ring and I watched some comparison videos and read some comparison reviews. The problem being, the non-L version of the 100mm macro doesn't look like mine. Not even slightly. For one, the front element on mine isn't at one end, but 2 inches buried inside. Secondly, it doesn't have the gold band around the end like my other non-L lenses and like the 100mm non-L in all the comparisons. I started to wonder whether I'd got a fake but I highly doubt it. I seem to remember paying a fair wedge for this though and I'm usually very particular about my research but it was so long ago I can't remember anymore!

Anyone know what lens I'm using?

[LongQ]

RobbieKB said:

So, this is a weird one. I started macro photography because of this thread back all those years ago and hopefully this might make sense to one of you.

I've been getting some macro photography work of late and I've just landed a really good gig. I use my trusty Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1:2.8 (as it says on the barrel) and have done for a very long time. The lens has served me well but I just got the hump with it and it's lead me down a confusing road.

I was using the AF and it just couldn't lock on to a part of a watch. I was getting irritated and I st the AF mode from 'full' to 'limit' on the lens but it still couldn't manage it. Eventually I just did it manually. A little later I did it again and it took a good 9 seconds to find focus and I thought "the L version can't have this sort of problem!" So off I trot to try and do some man maths and trade this fella in for a shiny red ring and I watched some comparison videos and read some comparison reviews. The problem being, the non-L version of the 100mm macro doesn't look like mine. Not even slightly. For one, the front element on mine isn't at one end, but 2 inches buried inside. Secondly, it doesn't have the gold band around the end like my other non-L lenses and like the 100mm non-L in all the comparisons. I started to wonder whether I'd got a fake but I highly doubt it. I seem to remember paying a fair wedge for this though and I'm usually very particular about my research but it was so long ago I can't remember anymore!

Anyone know what lens I'm using?

This post is useless without pictures .....


Unless it is really some sort of profound puzzle based on a philosophical meme.

Robbie .... where are we supposed to start with this? (Assuming it's not just and personal meme established due to boredom/an impending mental meltdown.)

[DibblyDobbler]

Liitle known older version? Similar to what is referred to here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php...

I have the normal one and its grand - don't bother with the L imho

[RobbieKB]

You're not wrong; I've been a bit cryptic. The thing is, I can't find a picture of the lens I have online and I couldn't be arsed to go get it to take a picture.




I think you're right Mike. This AF is motor driven which is quite incredible that I'd never actually thought about that! To be honest, the lens has served me very well as I don't care much for AF in macro work. I just wondered how well it performs compared to the newer versions (both L and non-L).

ETA:

https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equipment/used-phot...

Found it!

[wrayvon]

Some more from me:


Poorly wasp by Sam Wray, on Flickr


Untitled by Sam Wray, on Flickr


DSC_0018 by Sam Wray, on Flickr


DSC_0008 by Sam Wray, on Flickr


DSC_0007 by Sam Wray, on Flickr


DSC_0003 by Sam Wray, on Flickr

[Ed_P]

A male Mining Bee feeding on nectar. Canon MP-E with Twinlite flash:

Buffish Mining Bee (Male) by Ed Phillips, on Flickr

[ExPat2B]

I know a lot of you are big solitary bee fans, this is a great movie : ( nothing to do with me though )

https://vimeo.com/129712987

"90% of Britain's bees are Solitary Bees. They are crucial pollinators, yet are little known or conserved. This film aims to change that.

This film showcases the fascinating behaviour and value of the UK's solitary bees. We follow a variety of different species through their struggles to find resources, avoid death and create new life.
Ideal for anyone who loves our bees and nature!

Our main aim is for this film to not only entertain, but to be used as a free educational resource. If you would like to use The Solitary Bees in an educational setting, please contact Team Candiru for a free HD download.

We have had the support of the National Trust, Natural England, Buglife, Environmental Justice Foundation, Nuturing-Nature, Campaign for the Solitary Bees, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Natural History Network, Wildlife Film-News, Bristol Zoo Gardens and Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project and a huge thank you goes out to them for their advice and help with access and sponsorship."

[37Flipper]

First post in here so please be gentle!!

I'm very dangerous when I'm ill... I woke up on sunday morning and decided that I meeded a macro lens, it doesn't help when you live in Norwich and you have Wex on your doorstep!!

Anyway, I couldn't find any tiny furry animals around the house so I had to use what I could find. I've now discovered I need a ring flash as the camera just bumped up the ISO.. It never ends.. Anyway, heres a couple of trial shots. C&C welcome :-)

Can you guess what it is? by Paul Dolphin, on Flickr

Pellets by Paul Dolphin, on Flickr

Pellet by Paul Dolphin, on Flickr

Herbs by Paul Dolphin, on Flickr

[ExPat2B]

I thought this might be interesting to the macro shooters,

https://vimeo.com/157712307

"Microsculpture- The insect photography of Levon Biss.
A groundbreaking photographic exhibition of Science and Art.
A special exhibition from 27th May until October 2016 at Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
Microsculpture is a unique visual experience. A 10mm insect is shown as a 3 meter print, revealing minute detail and allowing the viewer to take in the structure of the insect in its entirety. The beautifully lit, high magnification portraiture of Levon Biss captures the microscopic form of these animals in striking high-resolution detail."

[rich888]

37Flipper said:

First post in here so please be gentle!!

I'm very dangerous when I'm ill... I woke up on sunday morning and decided that I meeded a macro lens, it doesn't help when you live in Norwich and you have Wex on your doorstep!!

Anyway, I couldn't find any tiny furry animals around the house so I had to use what I could find. I've now discovered I need a ring flash as the camera just bumped up the ISO.. It never ends.. Anyway, heres a couple of trial shots. C&C welcome :-)

Can you guess what it is? by Paul Dolphin, on Flickr

Pellets by Paul Dolphin, on Flickr

Pellet by Paul Dolphin, on Flickr

Herbs by Paul Dolphin, on Flickr

Lovely photos, is the first photo a strainer of some kind judging by the perforations in the metal. I don't think it's a cheese grater. The air pellet photo looks very good indeed as does the photo of the herbs. 10/10.

It's at times like this that I wish I lived closer to a specialist camera shop, or perhaps not judging by how much kit I would end up buying!

[LongQ]

ExPat2B said:

I thought this might be interesting to the macro shooters,

https://vimeo.com/157712307

"Microsculpture- The insect photography of Levon Biss.
A groundbreaking photographic exhibition of Science and Art.
A special exhibition from 27th May until October 2016 at Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
Microsculpture is a unique visual experience. A 10mm insect is shown as a 3 meter print, revealing minute detail and allowing the viewer to take in the structure of the insect in its entirety. The beautifully lit, high magnification portraiture of Levon Biss captures the microscopic form of these animals in striking high-resolution detail."

Amazing.

8 to 10,000 frames taken per image. That requires some dedication for both the capture exercise (even using an automated rig) and the post processing.

[RobbieKB]

LongQ said:

ExPat2B said:

I thought this might be interesting to the macro shooters,

https://vimeo.com/157712307

"Microsculpture- The insect photography of Levon Biss.
A groundbreaking photographic exhibition of Science and Art.
A special exhibition from 27th May until October 2016 at Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
Microsculpture is a unique visual experience. A 10mm insect is shown as a 3 meter print, revealing minute detail and allowing the viewer to take in the structure of the insect in its entirety. The beautifully lit, high magnification portraiture of Levon Biss captures the microscopic form of these animals in striking high-resolution detail."

Amazing.

8 to 10,000 frames taken per image. That requires some dedication for both the capture exercise (even using an automated rig) and the post processing.

I watched this yesterday and I really want to know more. I have quite a few questions:

What software is strong enough to handle stacking that many images?! I do a lot of macro product photography these days and I've tried all sorts of software and it really starts to struggle if I push it with even 30 images.

How on earth did his computer handle the PSD file?! He must have more sticks of RAM than I have hairs. I one did a macro panoramic image that was stacked as well when trying something elaborate. My PC, which is a decent spec, could barely complete even the simplest action in PS without huge delays.

So, so impressive.

[LongQ]

RobbieKB said:

LongQ said:

ExPat2B said:

I thought this might be interesting to the macro shooters,

https://vimeo.com/157712307

"Microsculpture- The insect photography of Levon Biss.
A groundbreaking photographic exhibition of Science and Art.
A special exhibition from 27th May until October 2016 at Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
Microsculpture is a unique visual experience. A 10mm insect is shown as a 3 meter print, revealing minute detail and allowing the viewer to take in the structure of the insect in its entirety. The beautifully lit, high magnification portraiture of Levon Biss captures the microscopic form of these animals in striking high-resolution detail."

Amazing.

8 to 10,000 frames taken per image. That requires some dedication for both the capture exercise (even using an automated rig) and the post processing.

I watched this yesterday and I really want to know more. I have quite a few questions:

What software is strong enough to handle stacking that many images?! I do a lot of macro product photography these days and I've tried all sorts of software and it really starts to struggle if I push it with even 30 images.

How on earth did his computer handle the PSD file?! He must have more sticks of RAM than I have hairs. I one did a macro panoramic image that was stacked as well when trying something elaborate. My PC, which is a decent spec, could barely complete even the simplest action in PS without huge delays.

So, so impressive.

The initial tethered capture, according to the video, is using Capture One.

I think he's slicing and dicing the process into different sections of the critter and so possibly the stacking for the great DoF is not too bad. Alignment is probably quite consistent for purpose so it's a blending exercise rather than alignment. maybe.

Once all the sections of the critter are created in their own image files it looks like the final image compositing is being undertaken in Photoshop. (The video clip is not quite sharp enough to be 100% certain about that - maybe a PS user can confirm.)

Whatever, the final file must be huge. I suspect he is running some pretty meaty hardware.