MacroPhotography: For the Off-Season?
- Thread starter Rob Wadsworth
- Start date
Jason Boggs
I'm not sure if you would really call this a macro shot or not. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Not sure what the true definition is. Here is one that might be close and it's storm related. I may have to dig up more or try my hand at some tonight. I shot this with a Sony F717.
I think you're safe, Jason. 
I have read a definition of 'macro' that says a macro lens brings into focus objects very close to the camera.
Mike, you've got some killer shots there. I'm jealous!
Rob, thanks for the nice compliments! And welcome to Stormtrack! Who would have thought that your first thread would have been non-weather related???
I would absolutely encourage everyone to contribute their macros here...Let's make this one an on-going thread into the winter months. I'm not sure how the mods would feel about this, but maybe from Oct-Feb we could have a macro-a-day event on this thread. That might motivate people to keep shooting and keep posting on Stormtrack, even when the weather outside is frightful (and not in a good way, like it normally is, lol!).
So, let's see those macros, folks!
Melanie
I have read a definition of 'macro' that says a macro lens brings into focus objects very close to the camera.Mike, you've got some killer shots there. I'm jealous!
Rob, thanks for the nice compliments! And welcome to Stormtrack! Who would have thought that your first thread would have been non-weather related???
I would absolutely encourage everyone to contribute their macros here...Let's make this one an on-going thread into the winter months. I'm not sure how the mods would feel about this, but maybe from Oct-Feb we could have a macro-a-day event on this thread. That might motivate people to keep shooting and keep posting on Stormtrack, even when the weather outside is frightful (and not in a good way, like it normally is, lol!).
So, let's see those macros, folks!
Melanie
Jason Boggs
Here are 3 of my very lame shots from tonight. The camera does well but I need a little work. Shot with a Sony F717.
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Darren Addy
EF5
Those who enjoy DIY may also get a kick out of the "Poor Man's Macro" group on Flickr. Check out the images and the discussion.
How about using the lens reversal technique with a point 'n shoot digital?
In addition to just using a reversal ring to mount a lens on your DSLR backwards, there is another inexpensive technique that I'm interested in trying. It involves using a "macro coupler". If you could weld two filters (face to face) and then remove the glass, you'd have the idea. This allows you to keep your lens (and all of its connection mounted normally on your camera, but then screw the reversed lens on the front of it (like a filter). For example, if the prime lens has a focal length of Xmm and the reversely mounted lens has a focal length of Ymm, then the combined lens will have a magnification of X/Y. One advantage of this technique is that you can still use the camera's TTL metering.
Read more about it here.
Also, getting more light on your macro subjects is one of the keys if you want to stop down and increase depth of field. You can do that "on a shoestring" using your existing on-camera flash if you build a diffuser out of a milk carton (or other translucent white plastic) that fits on the end of your lens. Your on camera flash hits it and it directs soft light down in front of the lens. Description here (but I can't get the images to load). Multiple ways to do this. Could be held on by "pinning" it to the front of the lens with a step-up ring (if using a normal macro lens) or with a bayonet mount off of an old teleconverter (or something) if using the reversed lens.
There are so many ways to do this that it is limited only by your imagination.
How about using the lens reversal technique with a point 'n shoot digital?
In addition to just using a reversal ring to mount a lens on your DSLR backwards, there is another inexpensive technique that I'm interested in trying. It involves using a "macro coupler". If you could weld two filters (face to face) and then remove the glass, you'd have the idea. This allows you to keep your lens (and all of its connection mounted normally on your camera, but then screw the reversed lens on the front of it (like a filter). For example, if the prime lens has a focal length of Xmm and the reversely mounted lens has a focal length of Ymm, then the combined lens will have a magnification of X/Y. One advantage of this technique is that you can still use the camera's TTL metering.
Read more about it here.
Also, getting more light on your macro subjects is one of the keys if you want to stop down and increase depth of field. You can do that "on a shoestring" using your existing on-camera flash if you build a diffuser out of a milk carton (or other translucent white plastic) that fits on the end of your lens. Your on camera flash hits it and it directs soft light down in front of the lens. Description here (but I can't get the images to load). Multiple ways to do this. Could be held on by "pinning" it to the front of the lens with a step-up ring (if using a normal macro lens) or with a bayonet mount off of an old teleconverter (or something) if using the reversed lens.
There are so many ways to do this that it is limited only by your imagination.
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Thanks for those links, Darren. I'm not that talented, so I'll stick to factory-made glass.
Those shots are great, Jason. I esp like the penny not for the penny itself but because you can see the amazing detail in your hand.
Here's one I call 'Scattering Tadpoles."
Those shots are great, Jason. I esp like the penny not for the penny itself but because you can see the amazing detail in your hand.
Here's one I call 'Scattering Tadpoles."
Brian Emfinger
EF4
Rob Wadsworth
EF5
Question for Brian E:
What kind of lens were you using?
Any EXIF data available?
I'm keen on the third one from the top - what is it?
What kind of lens were you using?
Any EXIF data available?
I'm keen on the third one from the top - what is it?
Brian Emfinger
EF4
http://realclearwx.com/images/082008rp30.jpg < thats a bit wider shot of it.
I guess its some sort of fungi? Someone here probably knows. I haven't seen it before. I was actually caught in the forest/mtns in the middle of a afternoon thunderstorm miles from anywhere without cover when I stumbled upon that.
Camera is just a rebel xt with the 18-55 factory lens and a polarizer filter. 1/60 sec, F18, ISO 1600.
WOW, I love that swirly green one. It's like a painting!
Darren Addy
EF5
Agreed. That is really striking!
Bill Hark
EF5
I am frequently doing macro photography especially of butterflies. A fun way to pass the time outside of storm season or waiting for the cap to break. I now use a Nikon 105 macro with ring flash. Below are a couple of images.
Owl Butterfly, Belize
Cloudless Sulphur, Virginia
But don't think that you need an expensive set-up. I have gotten some nice images using a Canon point and shoot with the macro function. Below is a Question Mark butterfly in Henrico, County Virginia.
Years ago, I used an old Nikon FG with screw-on close-up lenses. They are not very expensive and scew on like a filter. One can usually purchase a package of several strengths (+1, +3 etc.) I took the image of a Gulf Fritillary below while in Georgia. This is an old pic and is a scan from a print. The original image is quite sharp.
Bill Hark
Owl Butterfly, Belize
Cloudless Sulphur, Virginia
But don't think that you need an expensive set-up. I have gotten some nice images using a Canon point and shoot with the macro function. Below is a Question Mark butterfly in Henrico, County Virginia.
Years ago, I used an old Nikon FG with screw-on close-up lenses. They are not very expensive and scew on like a filter. One can usually purchase a package of several strengths (+1, +3 etc.) I took the image of a Gulf Fritillary below while in Georgia. This is an old pic and is a scan from a print. The original image is quite sharp.
Bill Hark
Great pix, Bill! I'm very jealous of all of you that get great results w/less expensive options. Awesome!
Here's one more for today....
This one was taken when my flash failed while photographing a pansy. It turned into an abstract. Does it work as a photo??
Melanie
Here's one more for today....
This one was taken when my flash failed while photographing a pansy. It turned into an abstract. Does it work as a photo??
Melanie
Darren Addy
EF5
I LIKE it, but I think it works better rotated 90 degrees clockwise.
Dunno why, but I do!
Dunno why, but I do!
I'm all for trying new things...let's try it out!
