Thread: Discovered a new challenge - macro photography

Originally Posted by Yukon

I've just been looking at these. Amazing quality. What camera / lenses?

I've been thinking about using my assortment of close-up gear recently for a project that I'm toying with. These pics may just have given me a bit of extra impetus. I've got bellows, extension tubes, reversing rings, and if Im feeling a little lazy, close-up lenses that fit the filter thread. I've also got a ring flash which I haven't used much. All depends if I find the time.....

Cheers

The first handful were with a Pentax dSLR and 50mm macro lens, most of the rest have been with a reversed 50mm on Nikon D80 and D7000, some of the higher magnification ones were from a reversed 28mm and a few real extreme ones from reversing the 50mm onto the front of a 200mm (incredibly hard to get results with them stacked like that mind you).

I've started using extension rings lately too, a bit more user friendly than reversed lens in some ways as you still have a nice bright view for focussing - with the reversed lens I'm using the aperture ring to manually stop down before shooting.

Its all manual focus stuff - the reversed lens is basically fixed focus so you just move the camera to get things in focus. I still throw away more macro shots than I keep!

had a play with a mates extension tubes on a 50mm




DSC_4946_50mmexttube by nz300wsm, on Flickr

Monarch Butterfly by gravelben, on Flickr

Monarch Butterfly by gravelben, on Flickr

On the wall in shed.

Spider by gravelben, on Flickr

Spider by gravelben, on Flickr

Earwig by gravelben, on Flickr

Wicked fotos

Awesome shots lads.

Not macro photography but looks like a great thread for insects - had the camera on my belt when I saw this guy flitting round a variegated lacebark tree at the farm yesterday - about 2m range
I don’t usually take much notice of butterflies - but when you see them like this - they are lovely creatures

Looks like he's right up the ass of the bee

They were working on the job together

What lens(es) are you using for macro? Im looking at a Nikon 7200 and trying to find a lens to start with, 100mm seems the minimum?

I'm using a cheap 50mm f1.8 with a $10 reverse adaptor, good for macro on a budget but not as versatile/flexible and takes a bit of practice/experimenting to get good results as its full manual control.

Have heard the Nikon 105mm is fantastic but expensive, Tamron 60mm and 90mm and Tokina have good reputation at a lower price, Nikon 85mm good too. Nikon 40mm and 60mm good optics but working distance probably too short to get many insects without spooking them.

They'll all give about the same maximum magnification (1:1 ie a ~25mm long object will fill the frame on a D7200), but the shorter focal length lenses have to get closer to the subject to do it.

Anyone know what this thing is? I have no idea but thought it looked interesting!

DSC_1954 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_1963 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_1968 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_1981 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_1987 by Ben, on Flickr

Necrothread instead of starting a new one... I'm still sporadically taking insect photos!

Earwig_3421 by Ben, on Flickr
Earwig_3411 by Ben, on Flickr

Lost in space by Ben, on Flickr
Space Weevil (6) by Ben, on Flickr
Space Weevil (3) by Ben, on Flickr

My missus is into macro photography big time. Images available at index.html. The passion is such that she stills heads into the bush solo on her crutches.