A bit more macro practice

As you may have noticed, I've been having a go at a little macro work. Some of you were kind enough to comment on my first efforts, at

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/chris5gd/Public/IMGP2806-1sc8.jpg

and

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/chris5gd/Public/IMGP3055-2s.jpg

Some one suggested that capturing things in their natural habitat gave a pleasing effect, so I had a go... all comments welcome.

K10D, fill in flash (built-in), 50mm SMC-A and 31mm tube.

I don't know what this guy is. But he got into my study last night so I thought he was fair game.

As above, but 52mm tube this time, since he was a lot smaller than the bee. More difficult, closer, especially since this one was running about.

Very short plane of focus, what apperture did you use? I know it isn't easy without a flash because of light obstruction. Biggest problem I have with macro is light, then DoF to get the whole subject in.

Chris, I like 'em.
I have a couple ideas that might help you kick 'em up a notch or so...

1) backgrounds, a simple piece of watercolor paper (printed or hand colored to compliment your subject mounted with a piece of wire) you could have 4 or 5 8x10 or 5x7 sheets in your camera bag.

2) soften your lights, and think of your subjects like little people that want flattering portraits....light acordingly.

I always find it difficult to control the glare from the shinny bits when using flash for macro, a Stofen or Lumiquest bounce helps a lot but does not eradicate the problem IMO, if I can I'll try and just use the natual light available but thats a long shot up here. I've even re-aquired an AF140c ring flash that but causes other problems with the K10D (no TTL).

Here's a couple from today with AF360+stofen on camera......



DFA 100mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/125s f/16.0 iso100 (50% crop)



DFA 100mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/250s f/8.0 iso100 (50% crop)

I've also had a go with my Sigma EX 180, not confident that I'm going to like the handling yet

Very much what I'd like to do.

Not clear what you mean by this - could this have helped with the bee shot, for instance? I can see how a sideways shot could benefit from a background as you describe, but where the insect is only millimeters away from the background I can't see how this is feasible.

Agree totally. So far I've basically been chasing the beastie with the camera and just using the built in flash (with reduced output). Even if I could fix some sort of diffuser to it, it might improve things. I'll give it a go.

Thanks !

I can see I have a long way to go!!

Were these shots AF or MF?

F16, with a 50mm lens on a 52 mm tube for the beetle (31mm for the bee).

It was very hard to focus, especially with the beetle running about. It was exclusively by moving the camera, not the focus ring.

Short of applying glue to the paper I had him on, I don't see how it can be made any easier.

Do macro lenses have the ability to focus over a greater range? If so I can see how an AF macro lens could make life a lot easier.

Chris, that was the lesser spotted vampire roach I hope you didn't get too close

Seriously tho', keep up the macro work, I wont say anything else as others have beat me to it.

I'm still at the macro learning stage to Chris, FWIW here's my techique, don't run around like a headless chicken, take 5 or 10 minutes to survey the chosen area and watch where the bugs are settling or manouvering to do their business. Either find a nice natural background or attach a coloured card (see Don's post) to the camera via piece of wire (see page 5 from this guy http://users.skynet.be/fotoopa/laser_module1_E.htm although he's a bit over the top) or set it where you want it, once your ready sit down, cross your legs, pre-focus roughly and wait till they come to you, above all be patient
Cheat http://www.hvpsupplies.com/product/?pid=1562
Just spray it in the air above, not on
AF

You mean like a blue-arsed fly



That's not nice !!!!!!!!

I can reassure you it does them no harm, just cools them down for a few minutes so they stay still, it was a tip from a pro while doing a judging at the camera club.

Ah. Ok. In that case, fab idea. I had the beetle last night on a piece of white paper, which I was able to turn round to orient him as I wanted. But he was still moving pretty fast, so focusing manually was a bit tricky.

Freezing them in mid air seems a bit of an unfair fight though...