Macro Photo thread

[Kermit power]

SamHH said:

Pvapour said:

tried those settings kermit, but I only have the std flash which scares the bajeezus out of the insects so didn't use it, needless to say the images were way under exposed. What sort of flash are you using?? are the ring flashes a good idea??

I think any sort of flash works fine, so long as you get the light pointing at the subject. Some people use a dedicated macro flash, either a ring flash or two small flash-heads that mount to a ring on the end of the lens; some people use a normal flashgun on a bracket with a synch cord; others use a plastic or cardboard device that goes over the onboard flash and reaches down over the lens.

Re. it scaring off the insects, I'd suggest that if the onboard flash is scaring them, so will any other sort of flash. In my experience though, it's the getting close to them that's the difficult part; I've never experienced insects being scared of the flash.

I'd agree with that. I do use a ring flash, but it was over £200 second hand (although there are cheaper 3rd party ones) so not really an option unless you're really keen!

The problem with the onboard flash is that you're so close to the insect that the lens is going to get in the way of the flash. You either need an external flash gun mounted on a bracket (or off camera using a radio trigger) or a dedicated macro flash which, as Sam says, will be either a ring flash or two flash heads sitting either side of the lens.

[Pvapour]

Am really keen if it gets better shots, £200 for a ring flash seems ok considering lens costs & if you cant get the most out of the lens unless you have everything to go with it, its a no brainer for me, will have a look around, tah!

Kermit power said:

I was trying to photograph dragonflies on Sunday morning, but there just seems to be hardly any time between them crawling out from wherever they spend the night and lapping up enough sun to blast around non stop, refusing to cooperate!

least I'm not alone still cant get close enough to make use of the macro on these buggers, better than the last one but still on the zoom lens

Edited by Pvapour on Sunday 26th July 17:07

[oobster]

Here is my first attempt at Macro photography using manual settings on my EOS 400D. I used a 31mm extension tube onto the kit lens (EF-S 18-55) at 1/200 & f5.6. Took me ages to get a decent image, mainly due to focusing but also lighting - I recently purchased a Canon Speedlite 430EX II and also bought the stuff to mount it off-camera so I have got a lot to learn!

I bought a Tamron SP AF90mm Di Macro lens today from warehouseexpress.com so i'm looking forward to have a muck around with it later in the week.

Even after all setting up & playing around with settings I still had to lighten the image slightly in PS. Bit of a beginer with PS too, although I learn something new every time I load it up.

Anyway, enough waffle, here's the image:



Comments welcome.

[Pvapour]

too out of focus to be a sharp image but too in focus for a spot light focus IMO also lacks colour clarity for me, maybe PP would sort?

is there a mark of somekind onthe glass? just by the 't' of bentley, or is there something on the lens?

managed to get closer to THE dragonfly today, even got to use the ef100, still too far away to be really effective though, but each one gets better, he's warming to me, I find crawling along on my belly doing a worm impression helps

Edited by Pvapour on Tuesday 28th July 16:45

[V8S]

Pvapour said:

too out of focus to be a sharp image but too in focus for a spot light focus IMO also lacks colour clarity for me, maybe PP would sort?

is there a mark of somekind onthe glass? just by the 't' of bentley, or is there something on the lens?

managed to get closer to THE dragonfly today, even got to use the ef100, still too far away to be really effective though, but each one gets better, he's warming to me, I find crawling along on my belly doing a worm impression helps

Edited by Pvapour on Tuesday 28th July 16:45

I know I may be teaching you to suck eggs, but approaching insects in the early morning or late evening when they are less active is much easier. Especially butterflies and damsel and dragonflies.

[4hero]

Kermit power said:

4hero, do you fancy doing a macro technique guide?

Every time I think I've captured something half decent, you come up with something utterly stunning! I know you've got the MP65 or whatever it's called, but even so, how do you manage to get suck extreme sharpness and how do you get so close to the little buggers without them flying off??

I usually shoot at 1/160th to ensure no shake and f16 to get reasonable depth of field, with the ring flash doing the rest, but I don't get close to the clarity of some of yours.

oops, missed this Chris, apologies.

It's all down to the lens & flash really, nothing to do with the whole year it took me to get used to the setup

Ok, a quick guide.

1. Patience is key
2. Set the camera up before going in for the shot
3. Take slow steady steps towards the subject, with no sudden movements. Slow and steady. Speak nicely to the subject in a quiet vioce
4. Try and rest on something to steady yourself (if at all possible)
5. If 4 isn't possible, don't breath (easier said than done, but it does help)!
6. I shoot mainly on 1/250, f11, ISO100 with both lenses (Canon 100mm 2.8 and Canon MP-E65mm).
7. Use manual settings for the flash! I have the 430EX and MT-24EX, but stick to the MT-24 as it works with both lenses.

The MP-E65 is a tricky beast to get to grips with, and these settings are for shooting at 1:1 (with the flash on manual set to 1/16). Go down a couple of f stops for every 1: you zoom in, so at 2:1 1/250, f9, ISO100 etc. Shooting at between 4:1 and 5:1 I wouldn't go lower than f6.3, but would tweak the flash to around 1/8. The principals are the same for the 60mm or 100mm f2.8 (with extension tubes if you are using them).

I never use a tripod due to the time it takes to set up. By the time you get in position the subject has flown/walked off.

Here's some shots of the setup I use, the only time it has been on the tripod.

Set up to shoot at 5:1


And the shot through the viewfinder at 5:1


I think I've covered everything, give me a shout if you need any more info!

A couple of shots from tonight.





Hope this helps,

Neil.

[oobster]

Here's my first attempt at insect macro photography. Not a lot out in the garden today, bit too cold and windy.

[johnnywgk]

oobster, one problem i think you have is, light reflecting of the watch
glass/crystal.

Easy solution is a hammer, other solutions, polorising filter,
different angle of light source, or different angle of lens to subject.

I talk a good photo, maybe one day i'll take some, hehe

[oobster]

johnnywgk said:

oobster, one problem i think you have is, light reflecting of the watch
glass/crystal.

Easy solution is a hammer, other solutions, polorising filter,
different angle of light source, or different angle of lens to subject.

I talk a good photo, maybe one day i'll take some, hehe

Aye I see what you mean - I did purchase some polarising filters but it was after I took the above watch picture.

Here's another, this time using my new Tamron S AF90mm DI Macro lens. Still not entirely happy with it (with hindsight I needed to use a smaller aperture to increase the DOF).

[johnnywgk]

I'm no expert, but with macro photography DOF will always be a problem,
especially with a watch thats 6feet in diameter that shot has
less reflections, and looks better.

Why B&w this time?

[kman]

my macro watch shot attempt (to get the rolex sweeping motion 8 ticks per second):

Edited by kman on Saturday 1st August 21:07

[Pvapour]

4hero said:

oops, missed this Chris, apologies.

It's all down to the lens & flash really, nothing to do with the whole year it took me to get used to the setup

Ok, a quick guide.

Neil.

Thanks for that, any video of you doing the slow shuffle, just so I can perfect the technique

[V8S]

Pvapour said:

4hero said:

oops, missed this Chris, apologies.

It's all down to the lens & flash really, nothing to do with the whole year it took me to get used to the setup

Ok, a quick guide.

Neil.

Thanks for that, any video of you doing the slow shuffle, just so I can perfect the technique

I think 4hero has departed these shores after a Lounge altercation with some mods. I could be wrong though - big shame if he/ she has.

[Art_Vandelay]

Hey, I'm new to the Macro photography scene, just recieved my first macro lens.

The lens is a Sigma AF 24mm f/2.8 which I bought for less than £100 (used). I've taken a few shots, the insects seem to be outwitting me today though, so my best attempts have involved plant life. The few shots I've taken of insects aren't up to the standard of the ones on here. Just ordered some extension tubes to try and rectify that.

Anyway here are some shots:







Somewhat of a test shot


Comments, criticism and advice welcomed.
Camera is an Alpha 200.

[Simpo Two]

Art_Vandelay said:

Comments, criticism and advice welcomed. Camera is an Alpha 200.

All good learning shots, but I think your main problem is not having a macro lens - despite what those marketing chappies may have put on the box! The fact it's quite wide angle is working against you, ie getting more in when actually you want less. Focusing distance alone is not the whole issue, it's angle of view as well - add them together and you get magnification. A true macro lens (1:1) will fill the screen with a postage stamp, and that's one reason why your results lack impact IMHO. HTH ( - and I must stop using TLAs!)

[Art_Vandelay]

Simpo Two said:

Art_Vandelay said:

Comments, criticism and advice welcomed. Camera is an Alpha 200.

All good learning shots, but I think your main problem is not having a macro lens - despite what those marketing chappies may have put on the box! The fact it's quite wide angle is working against you, ie getting more in when actually you want less. Focusing distance alone is not the whole issue, it's angle of view as well - add them together and you get magnification. A true macro lens (1:1) will fill the screen with a postage stamp, and that's one reason why your results lack impact IMHO. HTH ( - and I must stop using TLAs!)

I figured as much, oh well, I'll just have to save for a true macro lens. Currently on about the cost of a lens per month so it may be a struggle

[Pete Baraka]

Pete

[4hero]

Pete, that bee is excellent! What kit are you using?

Pvapour said:

4hero said:

oops, missed this Chris, apologies.

It's all down to the lens & flash really, nothing to do with the whole year it took me to get used to the setup

Ok, a quick guide.

Neil.

Thanks for that, any video of you doing the slow shuffle, just so I can perfect the technique

No videos unfortunately Just got a camcorder last week so this could be arranged!

A couple from "my time in prison" the last couple of days.







Thanks for all the support over the last few days, it really meant a lot Lets pretend the shambles never happened shall we?

[LukeBird]

Good to see you back chap!

The second shot is excellent!
Hmmmm I'd very much like a Macro lens!

[Yellabelly]

Good to have you back Neil.

YB