A few Saturday arvo macros

lacad01 (Adam) · #1 25-09-2010, 05:37 PM

Wanted to test out a diffuser I made up for the Nisin flash and took these from the Botanical Gardens this afternoon. A few bees, hoverfly and ladybird.
Canon 450D, Sigma 105mm macro, 25mm extension tube. Most of the shots were 1/160, f14, ISO200
Cheers

shelltree (Shelley) · #2 25-09-2010, 07:49 PM

Nice shots Adam, the last two are my favourites for sure!

I still feel these are a bit underexposed so try bumping the iso to 400 or even 800. Most times I shoot my macro shots at iso 800/1600 then use dfine in post processing for noise reduction. It works a treat!

Dennis · #3 25-09-2010, 07:55 PM

Nice shots Adam, with some lovely compositions and backgrounds. I’m not sure if you’re shooting with the flash in auto, but some of the bee shots look a little dark on my display.

If it’s not just my monitor, have you experimented with increasing the flash by maybe 1/3 or 2/3 of a stop? Can the Nissin shoot in ETTL mode and does in have flash exposure compensation?

Cheers

Dennis

lacad01 (Adam) · #4 25-09-2010, 11:06 PM

Cheers guys. Yeah, I had the flash set to manual but had power turned way down. Will try again with TTL setting. Tis all a learning process I guess

troypiggo (Troy) · #5 26-09-2010, 05:40 AM

Nice shots, but the flash did need a bit more power. Been shooting manual flash myself. I like the control and consistency, but you do have to "chimp" a bit more to check the exposure is going alright.

Always interested to see and hear more about the diffuser itself too.

Vanda (Ian) · #6 26-09-2010, 05:17 PM

Adam I like 2,7 & 8 - and agree with others about the under exposures. I dont like to go over ISO 400 but will if I have to. If the insect in question "sits" try natural light with a monopod. Natural light gives matching soft backgrounds and less harsh shadows. A monopod is much less limiting than a tripod - which I use for wildflower photography. With the "instant review" of modern DSLRs you can rapidly modify your settings and shoot again!

lacad01 (Adam) · #7 26-09-2010, 07:38 PM

Thanks guys. I knew when shooting that they'd be under exposed and thought that when processing with DPP on another PC that I had boosted the exposure up adequately but then when looking again on another PC with another monitor, they looked way under

Not to mention my eyes aren't the best nowadays

Troy, here's a couple of shots of my rough as guts diffuser. It's basically a take away container lined with foil and bubble wrap as the main diffuse.
I'm waiting on a TTL cable to arrive via mail which will allow me to rig up something off camera and have the flash closer to the subject.
It's interesting reading up on the multiple methods people use to take macro shots. I've also heard that using a long rod or stick as a steadying support is handy, that way you can quickly adjust without having to muck around with mono or tripod clamps, especially for constantly moving subjects

troypiggo (Troy) · #8 26-09-2010, 08:10 PM

Nice work on the diffuser. Getting that thing closer to the end of the lens will work a treat. I suspect the container might be a bit shallow though? ie not much distance between the end of the flash and the face of the diffuser. Might not be giving the light enough of a chance to spread out. And using the bubblewrap is a cool idea, but I'd add something a bit more opaque to ensure the light diffuses. Paper towel works well.

That long pole idea works well. I know Brian "LordV" Valentine (macro guru) uses a gardening beanpole. I use a monopod occasionally, but not with the camera actually mounted on it. Just extend it and use it similar to the beanpole concept - just grip the pole and camera at the same time with left hand.

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #9 04-10-2010, 10:28 PM

Good set Adam, especially like #2.

Dave

lacad01 (Adam) · #10 05-10-2010, 09:54 AM

Cheers Troy, yep I plan to make some mods or make up another one cheaply that's closer to the action. Interestingly enough I've seen a few home-made jobs that use paper-towel as diffuse material. Wonder if calico or something like that would be more durable.
Thanks Dave, they're a bit underdone but it's all a learning process

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #11 05-10-2010, 04:21 PM

It's all good Adam - macro is not an easy genre, it takes a lot of practice. You're doing fine!

Dave

Jen · #12 05-10-2010, 10:50 PM

i love macro shots nice Adam

bloodhound31 · #13 08-10-2010, 02:28 AM

Agree on a bit dark, but I love your hoverfly and the ladybeetle composition is really interesting. Keep it up dude.

Baz.