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Hi there everyone,

It's been a while since I've taken any photos but I took advantage of the extra daylight this afternoon and took a few insect macros.

I seem to be getting a lot more sharp images these days (... I use a lower appature number and that has eliminated the problems I was having with diffraction)



I would really like to work on my composition with my macro stuff as I tend to just get excited that I have a sharp image in the viewfinder and press the button rather than considering the composition... Any comments on how I could have improved this one would be appreciated.

Thanks very much

Paul

Very nice image . I'd be very happy if i reeled this off ,It is sharp .Not sure how to help as macro is something i've not tried .
One thing i notice though is that the background is giving the shot an unrealistic look .Maybe the depth of field is to shallow now .

Awesome shot,
I love macro photography.
I tried a macro lens recently and realised just how hard it is...
Marty

Thanks Drifter,

I was quite happy with this one considering it was quite windy and I only went out for 15 mins or so.

I don't think more DOF would have gotten the background any more detailed as the leaf he was sat on was very isolated. I've found that much more DOF results in very soft images (I was using the Sigma 180mm macro + 68mm of extension tubes).

Thanks too Marty. Macro is indeed very frustrating at times (for me anyway) but when you get a good one it's really satisfying

Also I just noticed a nasty dust bunny. Grrr.

Paul

The original version was edited in ACR but I just re-installed Nikon Capture (Computer HDD crash.... ouch!) and opened it up in that...

I like this version better. How about you guys?



Paul

Love the eye, great reflection

Ben

Great shot paul. And yes the second version does look better. The colours appear much richer.

100% crop of the eye

now thats cool

Ben

Nice legs, shame about the face.

Looks a bit like a mozzy without its snout.

I also had my first go at macro on sunday but definitely nothing worth posting. (tho I love the amazing colours)

I bought some triplus extension tubes on Sat to use with my 1.4 50mm but found it extremely frustrating (as expected) trying to get anything focused. I thought this was a cheaper way to get into macro but have the option of swapping the tubes this week for a 2nd hand nikon 105mm AF -($500) your recommendation?

I also have the kits lens and a 70 -300 ED - are these able to be matched with the ext tubes?

with daylight saving in operation I hope to have more time to try thingz in the still of the late afternoon.

Nikonuser could you provide a few details of the shot and how you set up.
I only have a manf. 190 tripod and uniball head - also very frustrating.

No flash until the tax refund is banked! BTW are there cheaper options to the SB 800 (sigma 500?) or should one stick to the nikon gear all the way thru.

many thanks

Rookie2,

Macro requires LOTS of practice and patience. Very worthwhile though.

I've never used tubes with a 50mm lens but I imagine that the working distance (distance from the front of the lens to the subject) would be very small. Not good for insects or other moving objects.

If you are serious about getting into macro I would highly recommend the 105mm macro. (Assuming it's in great condition). There is no beating a real macro lens. You can also use this lens with tubes. I've never used the Nikkor 105mm macro but have read great things about it.

I think both the kit and 70-300 will work with tubes. Not sure how well though.

Details of my shot:

Nikon D70
Kenko Extension Tubes (all three = 68mm)
Sigma 180mm Macro lens
SB-800 in wireless mode set on a Wimberly Macro Flash Bracket
Lumiquest Softbox over the flash

ISO400
1/125 sec
F13

To set the shot up I had the flash and lightbox setup above the end of the lens and pointing right at the subject. I always use a tripod. Camera is in manual mode (both focus and settings). First I move the camera in (slowly so you don't disturb the insect) to approximately where I think I will achieve the magnification I need. Then manually focus the lens to get the subject in focus... if I'm out with my camera position I very gently move the tripod back and forward.

There are cheaper options to the SB-800 (like the SB-600 and some Sigma models) but the SB-800 is really a GREAT piece of equipment. Hard to beat I reckon.

I think macro with the built in flash could be rather difficult. I don't think it would output enough light at higher magnifications and smaller f-numbers to be effective.

My main advice for macro shooting is to practice LOTS and use lots of different settings until you learn what works best for different types of shots.

Good luck and I'm sure you'll find the info you need on these forums

Paul

Rookie2

If you can get a 105 micro-nikkor at the right price, I would take that over the extension tubes with any of the lenses you mention.
If you want the right flash for your camera, I would say stick with Nikon. If money is a real issue, go for the SB600 which will be fine for most things. If you decide to get into a multiflash set up later, that flash will make a nice slave.
Tripod - at least you have got something better than a cheap and nasty. It should see you through the initial purchasing phase. Nobody ever said photography was cheap!

Cheers

thanks guys - very reassuring and sound advice.

I'llprobably trade the tubes back in and go for the dedicated macro - does $500 sound reasonable for a VG condition 105 mm

nikonuser ...with your set up would it be possible to post a photo or send a pm of what your actual set up looks like in the field.

not only would I have an appreciation of the range of equipt. and how it is used but importantly whether or not I may be arrested under our new Federal Laws relating to 'suspicious activities' if I get right into the macro stuff!!

thanks again

I don't have a second camera so here is a quick pic of my setup without the body attached.

The good thing about this setup is the flash can be moved to whereever I like with EXTREME ease.

Also with the Arca-Swiss ballhead (KB-2...thanks birddog!!) you can move the lens back and forward without having to move the tripod...very handy.



Hope that gives you an idea of the setup. Any more questions then feel free to ask.

Paul

other then sounding like an absolute noob to the extreme... but hell.. ive only owned a slr for 3 months...

What is the primary use for extension tubes?

cheers
Tim the noob..

Zeeke wrote:other then sounding like an absolute noob to the extreme... but hell.. ive only owned a slr for 3 months...

What is the primary use for extension tubes?

cheers
Tim the noob..

To move the lens away from the image plane...

This reduces the minimum focal distance of the lens.... which in turn increases the maximum magnification available.

PROS: No glass in the tube = no loss in quality

CONS: You loose light
CONS: You loose the ability to focus to infinity.

There are probably more but that's the general useage I think

Paul

cheers for the info Paul.. i never use infinity anyways and even tho my macro uses autofocus.. i always set it to manual focus because i feel i can get a better focus on things..

Tim
p.s. tis an awesome photo you got there... i like it!

thanks Paul - now I can see how you deal with the stability and lighting issues to get such amazing shots - along with your considerable expertise and know how of course!
it gives me something to aspire to down the track - if the wallet can handle it!!
re the KB-2..would this be a good buy at this early stage. sports photos are my other interest so wondering if it would have benefits there as well...it wil probably just be added to the wish list but I wish I had got on to this site earleir with a few of my previous purchases in the photographic field. Advice from non-aligned impartial users of the gear on this forum is priceless!!

cheers
R2

 KB-2.... Definately a good buy!!

Read up on the advantages of the Arca-Swiss system of quick release plates and lens feet.

The move up to a good ballhead on a good tripod helps greatly in most types of photography. Stability is the key to sharp images!!!

Paul

Hi Paul - love the shot. Did you just call it a long legged fly - or did you actually know that it was one.... a Dolichopodidae

Dolichopodid Flies are small to minute in size with bright metallic colors, mostly green or bronze. Their legs are long so they also have other common name Long-legged Flies. Adult Dolichopodid Flies feed on smaller soft body insects such as aphids. Larvae are usually found in moist soil and under tree bark. They are either scavengers or predators of other insects larvae. (ripped off the web - couldn't be bothered re-writing it )

Rel

Very Interesting thanks Blacknstormy,

Of course I knew it was a long legged fly *cough* (I had no idea really!!)

Where do you find out info like that? I searched for flies on the net but there are so many it's almost impossible to find the one you are looking for....Or is that a secret of the profession?

Thanks again for the info

paul

Paul - kind of sad isn't it? My other half and I studied entomology... so kind of par for the course.... and we now conduct fauna surveys, so pretty much learn a little about a lot (in my case - Damian knows a lot about a lot)

I've got the 'bible' for Aussie entomologists sitting on my desk - 'The Insects of Australia' by CSIRO, a 2 volume 1000 page epic (but if anyone is interested, well worth the money - not that I'm selling mine, but you can buy them from CSIRO Canberra). Oops - raving about insects again... sorry

Rel