Macros

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vas
vas's picture
Macros

While waiting for a half decent focal length lens for birding i started doing alot of macro photography (mostly insects and spiders) last spring to autumn. Thought ide share some of my work
If you want to see the eye patterns etc in the insects just go to my flickr
Enjoy and lot's more macro's to come
Metallic Shield Bug


Leaf Beetle (Paropsisterna aurea maybe? colours odd) 

Stick Insect

Jumping Spider Salutes You (cyclops jumping spider)


Cyclops Jumping Spider


Male House Jumping Spider


Robber Fly


Jumping Spider

jason

amazing what detail these little creatures have. Hair out of crustation type lbody parts.  The little feet on the second bug, and the way his red trim blends into its irradecent aqua and greed.   Wonder what they are thinking.

nice work.  

Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks

timrp
timrp's picture

Wow amazing photos! Its so cool to see these tiny creatures up close. I love the ones of the Cyclops Jumping Spider.

Di Collins Kirley
Di Collins Kirley's picture

... and doing alot of macro has produced classy results, vas. yes

Di - Moreton Bay Coastal, Qld 

vas
vas's picture

Thanks everyone for the nice comments! smiley

Alot more to come soon 


 

Devster
Devster's picture

Great photos Vas, what lens do you use as myself and my son are very keen to get into Macro.

I have been looking at the Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 Macro OS HSM and wondered if it were any good to get shots like yours?

Canonguy
Canonguy's picture

Devster wrote:

I have been looking at the Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 Macro OS HSM and wondered if it were any good to get shots like yours?

HI mate

Those "so-called" macro lenses  are not true macros as such, they just have the name given to them to make people think that they are macros. They just focus a little closer than a normal lens of the same focal length.

A true macro lens can get you life-size magnification (1:1 ratio). For Canon an EF 100mm f/2.8 US macro would be a true macro lens

vas
vas's picture

Hi Devster, i use a Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm f2.8 macro lens.This is a 1:1 macro lens but for m43's.

Just like Akos mentioned that Sigma lens is not a true macro lens and you will struggle to get tiny insects.  
A 1:1 true macro lens like the one Akos mentioned is what you want. You definetly need 1:1 and those lenses are also fixed focal lengths.

What system are you using anyway?

Devster
Devster's picture

Thanks Akos & Vas. I thought that may me the case and I'm glad I asked before buying it.

At the moment I have no Macro Lens, just my Tamron 150-600, a Tamron 18-270 and a standard Canon kit lens 18-75 (I think)

Where do you find the best places to get you lenses from?

Devster
Devster's picture

I was just looking on ebay and you can pick up a Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 for $384 is this an ok lens and is the price reasonable?

vas
vas's picture

I do not know much about it but i would read some reviews etc if i were you. From what i read it is sharp and has good image quality but a little slow in the AF department but for 1:1 using manual focus is the way to go. That price seems reasonable to me but
I payed $500 + $10 postage for my macro lens and that was the cheapest i could find it anywhere with aussie warranty.

Devster
Devster's picture

Thanks Vas. From what I've read to IS is very important in Macro and it can save you 2-3 stops. I realised this one for $384 doesn't have IS or VC as Tamron call it, whats your opinion on IS?

vas
vas's picture

I have IS built into my camera. Sorry forgot to ask you about IS as to me i don't worry about whever my lens has it or not.
My opinion is it's important if you want to shoot handheld in particular if your shutter speeds are low and you want a better hit rate. I'm a little spoilt having an Olympus when it comes to IS and i don't have to worry about blurred shots. I use alot of flash for macro and rarely do i use shutter speeds of less than 1/250 of a second so i have ok success without IS too but my hit rate is better with IS and i don't have to hold my breath after breathing out half way which can be hard as many little critters move alot and you want to capture a particuar pose at times which u need to press the shutter instantly. 
Alot of people shoot macro from tripods etc but all my macro work is hand held and a tripod is a pain and limits me as i move around alot and look for photo targets constantly. 

So yeah maybe you want a lens with IS if your camera body doesn't have it. I know i would want a lens with it if my body never had it. 
 

Devster
Devster's picture

Ah thanks Vas that helps.

What type of flash system do you use on your Olympus?

Is it on og those ring flashed at the front of your camera, inbuilt flash or an external flash.

Sorry for all the questions, just really like to get into macro

vas
vas's picture

Just a typical hotshoe flash (FL-600R) but i use it in RC mode and hand hold it with my left and have a diffuser on it.

Canonguy
Canonguy's picture

I doubt you really need IS for macro unless you're handholding lots. Even then, with good technique, you can comfortably hand hold at 1/60th and still use a moderate ISO to get some DOF and not have issues with digital noise. Alternatively, using flash as main light will totally write-off the need to worry about stabilization, as the flash provides ALL the light, so unless you're shooting at an exposure where ambient light becomes an issue, then you won't have to worry about softness due to movement. 

Another good way is to use a proper tripod to stabilize the rig with more still subjects. 

For reviews, try fredmiranda.com or photozone.de 

Devster
Devster's picture

Thanks Vas & Akos. I have to sell a fish tank and a few other items before I can afford to buy it but just wanted to start the ball rolling so to speak.

I have a flash with a difuser so thats good.

I think I like the Tamron 90mm f2.8 unless anyone had any other suggestions. Seems to have some good reveiws.

Its for a Canon 70D body.

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