Spiders-new 5D 1st light

[Bassnut]

Hi Guys

1st go at macro with my new Canon 5D mk2 and EF 24-70mm f2.8L lens.

I dont really know what Im doing, thats why they the composition is odd, and wrong bits are in focus (geez the depth of field is small in macro :P).

The cam and lenses (also have a 70-200mm f2.8L) are a huge leap from what im used to, and they are a joy to use (albiet the lenses are large and heavy) . f2.8 especially was a big supprise.

You can see (and zoom in on) large versions here (https://sites.google.com/site/fredsastro/home/macro)

I have no idea what kind of spiders these are.

400 ISO on a very cloudy day in the Karingai national park.

I keen to get better at this, given it works well in cloud, unlike another form of photography that springs to mind ;), so hints welcome :thumbsup:.

[Omaroo]

Very nice Fred.

Welcome to 5D-II ownership. :thumbsup: Nice lenses indeed - ideal setup. I have the EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM which I love, but really should have gone down the same path as you. One day...

Interesting reading - 24-105 f/4 vs 24-70 f/2.8: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/28-105.shtml

[Bassnut]

Thanks Chris

Humayun's pics pretty much convinced me on what to get. Ill be happy if I can get even close to his efforts.

Yes, interesting link. Staight away I noticed the viewfinder brightness with f2.8 as he says, and even in very cloudy conditions I could hand hold every shot. As I hope to do astro timelape also, f2.8 seemed worth the expence.

I just found this http://thomasshahan.com/photos . Gaud ive got a long way to go!.

[mangrovedutch]

Sweet captures for a non Macro dedicated lens, good work. Be careful, next you'll own a Canon 100mm Macro F2.8, then the MPE-65 up to 5x macro), then you'll want the MT-24ex for better lighting. At F2.8 and fast shutter, DOF is tiny, experiment a little- take it out to F11-14, slow the shutter speed down and drop the ISO. Take it out at night and use on camera flash and a torch to highlight what you are trying to capture (makes it a lot easier to focus). Ohh I forgot, a good 2x Teleconverter is a handy addition, but a full set of tubes will serve you better. I am a big fan of macro photography (particularly snakes and lizards)- your imagination is your only limiting factor. Have a look at POTN, they have a great bunch of guys on there willing to help and also access to some awesome tutorials. Enjoy, as I am sure you will.

Regards, Dutch

[dugnsuz]

Very sharp arachnids Fred!
Not too sure how the 24-70 will go for astro work - I recently sold mine as it didn't do it for me - I had bought it for its daytime reputation and hoped that would be replicated under the stars...didn't work out.
That said, time lapse work is a different beastie so the same rules might not apply.
I miss that big hunk of glass for daytime stuff though - it really is a monster of a lens.
Doug

[Octane]

Fred,

Welcome aboard.

Good start on your first light images.

And, humbled that my images inspired you to get the kit. : )

Now, all you need to do is go and chase great light. : )

H

[Bassnut]

Yes, a flash would be nice (ring?). It was cloudy, so I left it on auto but I get yr point, I should have stoped it down and used a tripod. It occured to me later to take a focus stack too, with a tripod. Pity the 5D doesnt have bracketed focus (does any DSLR?). Thomas Shahan takes macro HDR, which sounds (and looks) interesting, but would need a lot of subs for a focus stack, and I suppose H wouldnt approve ;).

Some handy hints there Dutch, thanks.



Thanks Doug. I didnt want to hear that re astro, astro will be part of the timelapse, but not the full on long exposure-stacked routine. Its the 70-200 f2.8 that is big and heavy ( I didnt mind the 24-70 weight), although it will be mostly on a mount/tripod. Neither have IS.



Thanks H, yes thats the key, its the light that counts :P. I havent seen any IR timelapse on the net anywhere yet, might give that a go 1st, givent it really showcases cloud structure. IR cloud video should look spectacular.

[dugnsuz]

Sorry for being Captain Bringdown!:P
I probably threw in the towel a little early re astro work with this lens so my comment should be taken with that in mind.
The IR time lapse stuff sounds very interesting.
All the best
Doug:thumbsup: