Sunday's Macro Mania!!

[Vicky]

Hi,

I realized I'd been giving too many 'theory' lessons on macro lately without actually doing much shooting... So, decided to attempt some real macro work this Sunday.... I don't own a real macro lens, yet armed with a high tech DIY diffuser;), the $18 28mm FD vintage lens and the trusty 50mm 1.8, I decided to spend a few hours at the local park..

Ended up getting some decent shots.. but haven't had the time to process them yet..

Here's a 5min collage I made with the unprocessed JPEG's..

The Teaser
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/MacroMania1.jpg

Will update the pics as they get done..

Till then, stay tuned!

Vicky

[KrishnenduKes]

Critique Approved

Nice collage there Vikash. This place is full of creepy crawly things all over.

[Aryan]

The spidey pictures take the cake! Awesome...Please share THOSE pictures ASAP. :D

[Vicky]

#1 The Sunflower
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8896.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 70-300IS (1:4 )

#2 The Petals
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8712.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 28mm FD Reversed @ f/11 (2.5:1 )

#3 A Closer Look
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8716r.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 28mm FD Reversed @ f/22 (2.5:1 )

#4 Playing with DOF
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8706r.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 28mm FD Reversed @ f/2.8 (2.5:1 )

#5 Up Close & Personal
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8717r.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 28mm FD Reversed @ f/22 (2.5:1 )

[Aryan]

@Vicky: Give me the bug pictures, PLEASE! :D Post the pictures of spiders, dragon-fly, butterflies! ;)

[Vicky]

#6 A Very unusual flower / bud
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8747.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 70-300IS @ 300mm (1:2 )

#7 This beautiful Dragon Fly paid me a visit
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8752-1.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 70-300IS @ 300mm (1:2 )

#8 Mr Spider - all of 10mm long
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8781.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 50mm 1.8 (1:3 )

#9 I'm growing up!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8759.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 70-300IS @ 300mm (1:2 )

#10 Same spider- looks menacing at more than twice life size!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8791r.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 28mm FD Reversed @ f/22 (2.5:1 )

[Vicky]

#11 Head On with the Dragonfly
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8767a.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 70-300IS @ 300mm (1:2 )

#12 Another angle on the Spidey... looks even more frightening!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8811.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 28mm FD Reversed @ f/11 (2.5:1 )

#13 Eight eyes on a 2mm x2mm Head! God is such a craftsman!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8808r.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 28mm FD Reversed @ f/11 (2.5:1 )

#14 Butterflies!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8845r.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 70-300IS @ 300mm (1:2 )

#15 Such Beautiful Colors..
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8856.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 70-300IS @ 300mm (1:2 )

[Vicky]

#16 The Hardworking Bee!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8867r.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 70-300IS @ 300mm (1:2 )

#17 More Butterflies!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8877.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 70-300IS @ 300mm (1:2 )

#18 Another play with DOF
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8915r.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 50mm 1.8 (1:3 )

#19 My Hi-Tech DIY Diffuser – A must for all the reverse 28mm shots!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8967.jpg

For the detailed shooting parameters like Shutter Speed, Aperture & ISO, pls check out the Exif. Where exif shows aperture as f/0, means this photo was created wit the reverse 28mm and the camera did not recognize the presence of any lens.

Thanks for looking! C & C Welcome!

Vicky

[powerslave]

Bravo! Loved em. Keep em coming.

[Aryan]

Mind blowing! :D

[Vicky]

Thanks Ken, PS & Aryan!

Here are some larger sizes (30% crops) for Aryan:)

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8767-30.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8811-30.jpg

[Aryan]

I am going absolutely CRAZY! I feel like going out of office and to the nearest garden, which happens to be none other than 'Lodhi Garden' :D and shoot some macros like crazy!

@Vicky: Those crops are absolutely TREMENDOUS! Superb work. :)

[Xavier]

WOW! :O
That's all I can say after seeing these pics!
You really need to start a post explaining the function of the EF12 Extension tube!

[Vicky]

I am going absolutely CRAZY! I feel like going out of office and to the nearest garden, which happens to be none other than 'Lodhi Garden' :D and shoot some macros like crazy!

@Vicky: Those crops are absolutely TREMENDOUS! Superb work. :)

Thanks Aryan! I'm glad these made you happy:)

WOW! :O
That's all I can say after seeing these pics!
You really need to start a post explaining the function of the EF12 Extension tube!

Thanks Xavier!

The Canon EF12 is an extension ring that fits in between the camera body and the lens. It allows the photographer to enable a lens to focus closer than its normal set minimum focusing distance. Getting closer has the effect of magnifying your subject (making it appear larger in the viewfinder and in your pictures). They are exceptionally useful for macro photography, enabling you to convert almost any lens into a macro lens at a fraction of the cost while maintaining its original optical quality as these extension tubes have no optics or glass elements. They are mounted in between the camera body and lens to create more distance between the lens and film plane. By moving the lens father away from the film or CCD sensor in the camera, the lens is forced to focus much closer than normal. The greater the length of the extension tube, the closer the lens can focus.

For example min focus distance of 50mm 1.8 is 18", but with the tube its only about 6":) Similarly, the 70-300 IS at 300mm had a min focus distance of around 5ft... but with this it is around 3ft:)

These are normally available in a set of three - 12mm, 20mm and 36mm....totaling 68mm which can be used individually or in any combination to obtain the desired magnification. These extension tubes are designed with all the circuitry and mechanical coupling to maintain auto focus and TTL auto exposure with most Canon lenses, given there is enough light to activate the cameras AF system properly.

[Xavier]

Thanks for the detailed explanation Vicky :)
Extension rings are the same as extension tubes, right?

Does it fit on any Canon lens?

[KrishnenduKes]

Vikash, this is what I have to say: 7, Brilliant dragonfly, 3, Closer look is pretty good, 10Menacing spider is superb, head on with dragonfly with superb DOF, 12; Another angle on spidey is just too good, 13 as well... I can go on for a long time!

Simply Awesome work Vicky.

I am going absolutely CRAZY! I feel like going out of office and to the nearest garden, which happens to be none other than 'Lodhi Garden' :D and shoot some macros like crazy!
:)

Carry your camera to work and do some work at the Lodhi gardens! :)

[Aryan]

Carry your camera to work and do some work at the Lodhi gardens! :)

I do carry my camera and lenses to and fro work, each day religiously! :D Who knows when I might just need it.. ;)

[KrishnenduKes]

I do carry my camera and lenses to and fro work, each day religiously! :D Who knows when I might just need it.. ;)

Wow! I am speechless. Really appreciate your dedication.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

the first teasers that i saw(apart from the collage)i was like oops.
the first set of teasers were frankly just blurred.my eyes were hunting for focus.photos from 2 to 5 were just gone bonkers.

u got the hang from 6th image,7th is a beautiful shot,9th again somewhat u lost focus.if u check the image,the stem is in focus but not the bud.for 8th ill say my personal opinion will be to make the yellow color a bit more "yellow".the shot there has got sort of whitish yellow.now i dont know whether it was that gradient or due to WB..still i said since the dragonfly shot,that flower is proper yellow.

from 10th image,wow wow wow wow..the 14th and 17th have a little extra black.a quick run of SH in PS will give u the details of the eyes of the butterfly.

the crops actually define macro.;)
great job.

anvancy.

[Sunny]

There are some amazing photos there, Vicky! Thats quite some job for a random photoshoot!

[nelson_sanjoy]

#11 Head On with the Dragonfly
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8767a.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 70-300IS @ 300mm (1:2 )

#12 Another angle on the Spidey... looks even more frightening!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8811.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 28mm FD Reversed @ f/11 (2.5:1 )

#13 Eight eyes on a 2mm x2mm Head! God is such a craftsman!
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_8808r.jpg
400D + EF12 Extension Tube + 28mm FD Reversed @ f/11 (2.5:1 )


Really great pics ... One question for the shot 12 and 13 - How did you manage to be so close but still not scare them since I believe you must have been very close using the reverse 28mm.

[Vicky]

Vikash, this is what I have to say: 7, Brilliant dragonfly, 3, Closer look is pretty good, 10Menacing spider is superb, head on with dragonfly with superb DOF, 12; Another angle on spidey is just too good, 13 as well... I can go on for a long time!

Simply Awesome work Vicky.

Thanks Ken! Glad you liked these. We share similar likings... as #11 & #12 are my favorites from this shoot too:)

the first teasers that i saw(apart from the collage)i was like oops.
the first set of teasers were frankly just blurred.my eyes were hunting for focus.photos from 2 to 5 were just gone bonkers.

Very true! The focus on these set of sunflower super macros are not 'spot on' and I had a very hard time shooting these. First, these larger sunflowers were at around 5ft height...so I had to really stretch to get the shot, secondly, the DOF with the reverse 28mm even at f/22 is less then 1mm... and the fact that the flowers were lightly swaying in the wind made it so difficult to judge focus. Remember, with the reverse 28mm, neither Auto focus nor the Manual focus ring are working...even you don't get focus confirmation from the cam...the only way to achieve focus is by moving the camera forward / back and judge focus by looking through the viewfinder:eek: Due to this very reason, you can't even use a tripod with this setup unless you have a macro focusing rail. With you squinting hard through the tiny dark viewfinder at 2.5x life size magnification and the plants even lightly swaying...it soon starts to get really dizzy:)

I have however learned a new cheat to get over this problem... so, next attempt should be better;)

u got the hang from 6th image,7th is a beautiful shot,9th again somewhat u lost focus.if u check the image,the stem is in focus but not the bud.for 8th ill say my personal opinion will be to make the yellow color a bit more "yellow".the shot there has got sort of whitish yellow.now i dont know whether it was that gradient or due to WB..still i said since the dragonfly shot,that flower is proper yellow.

Yes, in the 9th shot, I should have focused on the front petals of the bud:)

from 10th image, wow wow wow wow..the 14th and 17th have a little extra black.a quick run of SH in PS will give u the details of the eyes of the butterfly.

Yes, nice tip...will try that!

the crops actually define macro.;)
great job.

anvancy.

Thanks for the detailed critique Anvancy! It is this type of feedback that help you turn your average shots into great shots:)

There are some amazing photos there, Vicky! Thats quite some job for a random photoshoot!

Thanks Sunny! I'm working on a better design snoot diffuser for my flash.. if it gets done on time, then maybe I'll pay another visit to the park this coming Sunday:)

Really great pics ... One question for the shot 12 and 13 - How did you manage to be so close but still not scare them since I believe you must have been very close using the reverse 28mm.

Thanks Nelson!

Yes, the biggest limitation with the reverse 28mm is that the point of focus is fixed at around 2" from the front of he lens... you can't focus any closer and you can't focus at anything further than this either!

While acceptable for plants or other objects, this is too little for shooting any live bugs as they will definitely get scared... but this must have been one tough spider as he was anything but scared! He was actually threatening me all the time... did you notice, how he has both his front two legs in the air pointed towards me in the classic aggressive boxer pose:)

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

even with the raynox the distance thingy is the primary system of focus.and just like ur heavy bokeh,the raynox carries that too.ideal for isolation of macro subjects,but what it does is that even with tripod i have to move,and while moving i have to keep a check that the surroundings and the subject itself doesnt get spooked with the vibrations of the moving tripod.

75%of the shots in macro photography just go down the drain.atleast in my case,i have never encountered that the first shot i take and its a wow shot.for me atleast 10 is the minimum.

and at heavy macro level,the viewfinder starts to hurt since u require actual LCD viewing or live view.so there p&s scores..:p

anvancy.

[nelson_sanjoy]

Yes, the biggest limitation with the reverse 28mm is that the point of focus is fixed at around 2" from the front of he lens... you can't focus any closer and you can't focus at anything further than this either!

While acceptable for plants or other objects, this is too little for shooting any live bugs as they will definitely get scared... but this must have been one tough spider as he was anything but scared! He was actually threatening me all the time... did you notice, how he has both his front two legs in the air pointed towards me in the classic aggressive boxer pose:)

Great .. Thanks for the clarification ...

[Ananya]

oh man! I'm speechless

my favs would be #4 and #5 on pg1 :)

[Vicky]

Thanks Ananya! Glad u liked these..

Here's another flower shot that I took with the reverse 28 setup...

The Rose
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_7884small.jpg

400D + 28mm FD reversed; 1/200, f/16, ISO 200
Hot Shoe Mounted 430ex with DIY diffuser, Hand held.

This is a 'panorama' stitched from six 10mp photos. I clicked 6photos in total and covered the bud, part by part in six different photos. Then i stitched them together with a panorama stitching software (PTgui). The final file size of the stitched image came up to 41.8mp:eek:

You can check out a larger version here (http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/IMG_7884medium.jpg)

Here's a snapshot from PTGui...

[KrishnenduKes]

Thanks Ananya! Glad u liked these..

Here's another flower shot that I took with the reverse 28 setup...

The Rose

This is a 'panorama' stitched from six 10mp photos. I clicked 6photos in total and covered the bud, part by part in six different photos. Then i stitched them together with a panorama stitching software (PTgui). The final file size of the stitched image came up to 41.8mp:eek:
...

Let me get my breath back. Then let me get back to my ADSL connection. I think you should start taking classes now.

[Vicky]

Let me get my breath back. Then let me get back to my ADSL connection. I think you should start taking classes now.

Thanks Ken! Really glad that you liked this and commented!

I say this not because you ever fail to comment on my work, but because I was quite depressed that I only received 1 single comment in more than 2weeks when I had originally posted this here (http://www.thephotographer.in/darkroom/showpost.php?p=1344&postcount=93), whereas, quite ironically, this one turned out to be one of my most appreciated / commented photos on another photography forum:)

[Xavier]

Loved the rose macro Vicky!
The only 'eye-sore' for me is the 'pentagonal' shaped bokeh :(

[Vicky]

Loved the rose macro Vicky!
The only 'eye-sore' for me is the 'pentagonal' shaped bokeh :(

Thanks Xavier:)

That's a combination of the tiny f/16 aperture and the pentagonal aperture blades... I could have easily cloned that out... but some how I seemed to like it here:o