Small butterflies in garden (Macro)

[hotspur]

Hi Folks.

I had a quick few minutes in the garden today,with my macro lens,I used the EX 430 flash and the 450D.

These are the results,these little butterflies called skippers(family Hesperiidae),
very small-about the size of a thumb nail.

It was rather windy_and I nearly just went inside,but the lavendar bushes on the lee side of wind allowed me to attempt these photos.

I used 100/200 iso 200 speed,and AV-10,11,not sure what the regulation BIMBO settings are for macro,I am still learning.

I had the flash on top of camera,with little bit of plastic that pops out over it.

I would like to make a rig up like Dennis S,he has shown us a great set up with his macro rig,he also has a small difuser,which I would like to get,any pointers or advice most welcome.

Thank you Troy and Shelley for comments yesterday.

Regards Chris

[troypiggo]

Nice skippers. You've nailed the focus in these - the eyes.

I pretty much have my 1:1 macro lens set at f/11 and leave it there. Only open it up if I'm shooting at higher magnifications with tubes or the MP-E 65 to control the diffraction softening.

Particularly if it's windy you did the right thing and keep that shutter speed up around 1/200s. Good choice. :)

ISO I play with a bit to get the background exposure to within a stop or 2 underexposed. Just so it's not pitch black, but the subject will still be lit and stand out while at the same time keeping the ISO down for noise control. If that all makes sense... :)

Diffusion - you could get a ready-made softbox like this one (http://www.lumiquest.com/products/softbox.htm) pretty cheap. No need for DIY or flash brackets etc. DDP have them (http://d-d-photographics.com.au/lumiquest.htm).

I'm in the process of putting on my webpage a bunch of things I've picked up along the way shooting macro. Not ready yet, but I'll let you know when I do if you think it'll help.

Man, all you guys shooting macro, spring is here, I gotta get out there!

[Octane]

The 450D is still a cracker of a camera with its large-ish pixels.

The second shot is an absolute stunner.

Well done, Chris.

H

[hotspur]

Thanks Troy and Humayan for advice and comments.

I was fairly pleased with these results for a small amount of time in garden and no PP,the first two are crops,the others-as they came out of camera,I will do some PP in CS 5 of some insects over spring.

Yes,Humayan-the 450D I like very much with the 12 mega pixels,I feel the 450d and 40D with its 10 mega pixels a sweet spot,for pixels.On a crop body camera.

Its such a shame these camera manufacturers never listen to the people that use these things a lot!-we want less noise!,not more pixels.:(

I am sure more pixels is sales gimick-like the term 'pop-up-flash',a salesperson uses these terms in their speil to get more sales.'pop-up-flash' sounds good to the person who may know very little about camera gear-so too XX mega pixels.

I recently bought another camera body,a 50D I could have afforded the 7D,but liked the fact the 50d had less pixels.And even that was more pixels than I wanted,I think 14 mega pixels should be enough.

Also the 450D is very light,I took all these pics hand held most with one hand,I think I would get tired sooner with 50D although I can see through the view finder better

Anyhow,thanks again for pointers.Troy when are you having another BIMBO meeting in Roma St?I can catch a bus to Roma St transit centre,a Saturday would be good!

cheers Chris

[Octane]

Chris,

More pixels coupled with less noise is ideal.

I make stunning prints at 36x24" with my 5D Mark II.

H

[hotspur]

Yes,Humayan-the 5DII would handle more pixels very well-as its a full frame.My observation was for crop bodies.But I have found with the 50D it has smaller increments of ISO,which is very desirable for wildlife photography.I imagine the 7D would have those same smaller increments to help stop doen the noise.I will most likely end up with a 7D shortly,as I do not want to give up my fine EF-S lenses.

When are we going to see these prints for sale Humayan?,I would love to buy one of them and have it framed in my office.

cheers Chris

[Octane]

Chris,

It is a matter of days. : )

H

[hotspur]

I have got my eye on 'The Gates of Dusk";)

[hotspur]

Thanks Troy for tip on soft boxes,I just looked at link-I have that same Lumiquest light box!-that link jogged my memory-David Trappett loaned me one,Iwill put it on flash,and play with it on next macro adventure:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[shelltree]

Really great shots mate, you did well in that wind! I got frustrated and took photos of some lorikeets instead.

[troypiggo]

No worries mate. PM'd you about Roma St etc. ;)