This is the first image I've processed using Capture One LE (Trial Version). It does seem very easy to use in that the interface is more intuitive (natural) than RawShooter. The flower is a Gazania, the spider has a name about 3 feet long, and the fly . . . is deceased.




IstD with SMCP-FA 100mm Macro and AF140C ring flash.

Mike,

I don't have any tips as such but I can tell you all of the relevant camera settings I used for this shot which was very impromptu, the spider had made a web close to our outside porch light so there is some rear illumination from that. The light is one of those low energy fluorescant jobs.

Anyway, istD set to manual. ISO 800, RAW, WB set to auto, 1/90 sec, f32, SMCP-F 100mm Macro focussed at almost minimum distance (flash to subject distance was no more than a couple of inches I think). That's about it really. The original shot was a tad overexposed but not by much. PS-CS2 Camera Raw dealt with that. I should really have taken the shutter speed up a stop or two.

My Vivitar 6000AF will be on ebay shortly as I have an AF140C which is far superior. The Vivitar is consistent though, its a nice flash and the only one I could lay my hands on last night to take this shot.

Light from ring flashes is often criticised as being too harsh, but I happen to like it. Its certainly the most convenient for quick pics when you haven't got ages to setup a more professional twin flash rig etc.

I'm glad you like the photo.

I took this last night with the SMCP-F 100mm Macro and a Vivitar 6000AF Ringflash. This image is full frame and uncropped with minor adjustments in PS-CS2. I had to blacken the eyes as the ringflash was reflected in them.

Mike,

Now I understand. Mine is yet a different model to either of the two you mentioned. The second link to the cheaper one is not a macro lens.

I'm sure that mine is either the 70-300mm APO Macro Super or Super II which has different mechanics as I explained previously that has to be 'switched' into macro mode at 300mm. This switch then locks the zoom mechanism at 300mm but the focussing ring will turn further into the close distance range.

I also have a Sigma 135-450mm (non macro) APO lens which is a great performer and light too.

Mike,

My Sigma 70-300 APO Macro has a switch to change it to macro focussing. This switch can only be engaged at 300mm and can only be disengaged once the focus ring is outside the macro range. I don't know if I have the Super or Super II version but it will only focus in the macro range at 300mm. How is yours able to 'do macro' at 200 - 300mm?

Regards,

Daniel,

this was taken on the Costa Calida (warm coast) near Mazarron in southern Spain, between the Costa Blanca and Costa de Almeria (about 2 - 3 hrs drive south west of Benidorm). It takes Ryanair and Easyjet 2 hrs 20mins to fly it with the wind behind them, I guess these little beauties take a bit longer

Cheers,

Daniel,

The shot was taken in Spain a couple of weeks ago. We have a rambla (small stream that swells to the size of a large river every few years when it rains very heavily) near our house and they probably live, feed, and breed there. This one was out in the dry open space close to our house and well away from water. I got a few shots of a green one too, but none as good as this one. I'm not sufficiently knowledgable to be able to tell you it's name though. Contrary to your shooting position, I was out in the blazing sun, with not a drop of water anywere . . . except in the bottle I was carrying of course.

There are some fabulous insects and spiders near us out there. Spiders that sit on the edge of flowers, waiting for unsuspecting insects to land. If they do . . . they die.

And the background . . . was one of those happy accidents. I was concentrating on not disturbing the dragobnfly and took no notice of the background until I got it on the PC. I have told the tale in another thread of my PC in Spain failing which caused me to lose some data. These pics were among the lost ones that I recoverd when I got back to UK. I'm glad I was able to.

What is it with this dragon/damsel fly fettish ? But they are beautiful aren't they? Here's my most recent effort captured using istD, Sigma 70-300mm APO Macro (at 300mm only), hand held, 1/250th f:9.5 ( a bit slow for the lens & hand held considering it's the equivelant of 450mm) ISO 200




This is uncropped, full frame, colour/contrast/brightness/curves adjusted very slightly in PS-CS2, sharpened with sharpen-o-matic (thanks Matt), then squirted through ImageReady for the web. The background looks fabricated but its not, there was only dried grass and a sage bush about 3 feet behind, hence the completely blurred look. It works for me. The image would have been much sharper with a tripod or monopod. In my opinion, the lens I used is a cracking performer when switched to Macro but it does need practice to keep it still at < 1/500th when handheld.

The SMC-F and SMC-FA 100mm macro lenses are astonishingly sharp. The FA version benefits from a 'brake' that makes focussing a little stiffer and stops the lens from creaping when camera and lens are mounted vertically. They both have focussing limit switches to prevent the lens focussing from infinity to minimum when used in AF mode. Personally, I focus manually for macro work anyway. Any Pentax 50mm lens will also work very well on a bellows attachment as well as extension tubes. Bellows affords the benefit of micro adjustment of focussing but with a 50mm lens attached, you do have to get very close to the subject.

You can also use so called 'stacked' lenses. That is 2 lenses mounted back to back, joined by an adapter between their filter mounts. If you have, say a 200mm prime and a 50mm prime stacked as I have described, you will get roughly 200/50 (4 times) magnification. One of the lenses can also be a zoom.

Thanks for the info Philip. I currently use the F series lens but I quite like the idea of the lock on the FA, and I think its on the D-FA too. I think maybe I'll look for a FA version to replace my F.

I have noticed that the anti-ghosting coating on the new DA and D-FA lenses is very good. I'm getting much more contrasty/colour saturated results with my shiny new 16-45mm DA lens than any of the older Pentax glass. Of course, it could just be that my older lenses need a good clean.

Thanks for your input.