Want to take a macro then this is the thread.

Scott Murray

Senior Member
EDIT: I have written this quick blog on my website.

Blog | Scott H Murray Photography


Ok this should be made a sticky to start off with.

I am going to try and capture all my findings and trials and tribulations with macro photography in this one thread as we have got too many and one more wont hurt ;)

I am also going to 'try' and video my style when taking 1:1 macro photography and then even at a greater magnification.

To start off you need great light and instant light for a nice clear macro shot, there are many people that use natural light. But bugs being bugs tend to come under lights so we need to make up for that and introduce our own light to produce images that we are after.

Basic settings are these:

ISO: 100 - 400
Shutter Speed: 1/200 - 1/400
Aperture: F/2.8 - F/16

So as you can see you can use alot of different settings and get a good result.

Stay tuned for other hints and tips, there are also many others that take great macros and should have their own input. BUT I do not want it a debate, just positive proof of good technique and good equipment. If we get anything untoward then it will be deleted, no questions.

This is my current macro setup.

20150208-20150208-D60_3638.jpg20150208-20150208-D60_3639.jpg
And the result with this simple setup. By the way this is the one I use mostly as its good and very portable. But requires built in flash.

20150208-20150208-SHM_1674.jpg

And I am trialling this but it is much heavier and harder to get into tight places.

20150208-20150208-D60_3636.jpg20150208-20150208-D60_3637.jpg

And the result.

20150208-20150208-SHM_1675.jpg
 
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oldsalt

Senior Member
As I sit here writing this I'm waiting for the courier to deliver my Nikon R1C1 macro flash system - looking forward to trying it out...
Here's a bee from a few days ago just to start the ball rolling. Good thread Scott.
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wev

Senior Member
Contributor
I'm all for anything that helps me improve my shots.

I had already put stuff up before I saw this thread, so I'll have to cross-post a couple, if that's all right

Bee.jpg


Sulfur.jpg
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
@Scott Murray great idea mate - and it already seems popular.

I saw an earlier post - the one with the frogs eye where you used two different diffuser systems. What caught my attention was the Tamron 90mm plus the Raynox DCR 250.

I have a question for you. Do you slap the Raynox on to the Tamron? If I remember correctly the one had a focal length of 120mm
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
great idea mate - and it already seems popular.

I saw an earlier post - the one with the frogs eye where you used two different diffuser systems. What caught my attention was the Tamron 90mm plus the Raynox DCR 250.

I have a question for you. Do you slap the Raynox on to the Tamron? If I remember correctly the one had a focal length of 120mm

Yes I put the Raynox on the Tamron, the extra length must be from me trialing the 1.4TC aswell (hmm will have to see what I used - could explain something). I also use a different Raynox closeup filter that I dont think I would recommend to others just yet.
 

oldsalt

Senior Member
Well about ten minutes after posting my comments about "waiting for the courier" - the doorbell rang and her's what I got...
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all in it's own little carry bag...
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lots of "bits 'n pieces"...
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the heart of the outfit...
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paperwork...and batteries.
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and a 133 page instruction manual... all in English !!!
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Scott Murray

Senior Member
Ok this is a live grass hoppers eye it is taken with a 1.4TC Kenko, 90mm Tamron Macro and Raynox Super Micro lens with homemade white foam diffuser.

20150209-20150209-SHM_1678.jpg
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
At this 'Microscopic' magnification it is very hard to get a sharp image, you need to ensure the part of the subject you are trying to capture is sharp focus as the very shallow depth of field gives you little lee-way. Here is another very very small midgy.

These are all full frame uncropped.
If I wanted to I could edit all the dots out but this is just for example.

20150209-20150209-SHM_1696.jpg
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
Hey [MENTION=9753]Scott Murray[/MENTION] just wondering if I may suggest something for those following and learning from this thread.

It would be cool if we could put up our Macro's here with all exif data and any other information for your critique and to tell us where we may have done something a bit different.

And change the title to "Scott's Live Macro Tutorial" :)
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Hey @Scott Murray just wondering if I may suggest something for those following and learning from this thread.

It would be cool if we could put up our Macro's here with all exif data and any other information for your critique and to tell us where we may have done something a bit different.

And change the title to "Scott's Live Macro Tutorial" :)
If any one wants me to comment and give advice then all they have to do is mention me like you have and then I will be more than happy to offer my advice, there are also other much better macro photographers here that also can offer their advice.
 

Ironwood

Senior Member
I have had a bit of a play around with my different lighting setups today. I changed the settings a bit to try and get the most out of each setup.
They are both the same spider, just taken on opposite sides of the leaf, hence the different shade of green. It took me a while to find it again after I changed rigs. (and after I got rained on a couple of times :rolleyes:)
Both have had fairly similar PP.

The first photo was taken with the onboard flash and a foam diffuser on the end of the lens, AKA "The Scott Murray Diffuser";).

DSC_8299.jpg


This shot was taken with my Yongnou 568EX and homemade softbox/diffuser, similar principal to Scotts bought one but a bit rougher and cheaper (same foam on the end as my original setup.)

DSC_8329.jpg


I will take some photos of both the lighting setups and post them here in this thread when I work out how to get around only having one camera body.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
I have had a bit of a play around with my different lighting setups today. I changed the settings a bit to try and get the most out of each setup.
They are both the same spider, just taken on opposite sides of the leaf, hence the different shade of green. It took me a while to find it again after I changed rigs. (and after I got rained on a couple of times :rolleyes:)
Both have had fairly similar PP.

The first photo was taken with the onboard flash and a foam diffuser on the end of the lens, AKA "The Scott Murray Diffuser";).

View attachment 139644

This shot was taken with my Yongnou 568EX and homemade softbox/diffuser, similar principal to Scotts bought one but a bit rougher and cheaper (same foam on the end as my original setup.)

View attachment 139646

I will take some photos of both the lighting setups and post them here in this thread when I work out how to get around only having one camera body.

What are your thoughts on the two set ups?
 
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