Is anyone using Helicon Focus software with "static" macro to improve DOF?

Steve

This thread is amazing, thank you for making us feel welcome!

I'm a 21 years old Canadian medical student who started his college in Europe. I lived in Germany for three years, and started getting very interested in photog there. In 2006, knowing nothing about photog at all, I assisted a local photog for 4 days who did a lot of nude and boudoir, as well as portraiture and weddings. It was an eye opening experience.

In September 2007, to celebrate my return home, I purchased my first SLR. I purchased a K10D and over the months better and better glass, still looking for my style. I then never knew I would get into photog so seriously- had I known I would have spent so much as I did already, I might have went another direction gear wise.

Macro peaked my interest around December. I'm always mesmerized when looking at huge close-ups of insects, it is fascinating. To try and get into it, I took a BetterPhoto macro course and due to a bad LBA, purchased one of the last brand new Voigtländer 125mm APO-Lanthar left in the World with a K mount . Unfortunately due to huge time constraints with college, I could never take advantage of the course so well.

The MF of the VL was a huge holdback to me, lacking proper experience, and having a yet undevelopped eye for macro subjects. My shots were disasters and I was so frustrated I left it on the side to pursue other kinds of photog.

I finally found my niche two months ago into studio/boudoir/nude photog, and built my own studio. The VL still had its use, but since I had barely used it since December 07, I would sell it. Posted an ad on a pentax forum, and within minutes had 5 PMs with offers going as high as twice what I had paid. That happened 2 weeks ago, and I started thinking "What am I doing? DON'T SELL THIS!".

So even if studio photog is what I feel the most comfortable in, I want to give macro another REAL try. This time I have more experience and a better eye. Still, posting macro shots around here can be intimidating. So many talented macroers, it's mind blowing, and a good well needed slap in the face back to reality.

Thank you again for this thread

Hi, all,
It is the first time here in macro forum. Though I have taken some macro pics but never satisfied. Hwever, today as I saw some of Tom's pics...I am a bit challenged and I may try to take pics of some little animals...

I do use D300 and have a couple lenses of other makers and are very old MFs. I would like to try them out once I get some adapters. Good to visit here...I learned some new techs for macro photos. Thanks,

Abe

Hi everybody,

I started reading this forum 1 week ago, waiting for my macro lens.

I use a Canon 40D, 65mm MPE, tc 2x, kenko extension tubes.

Here are my first 3 photos with this lens:

Howdy all.

I guess I'm a lurker. I came here a couple of years ago as I was looking to buy a lens. I was recommended by a friend (K. Mahaffey). I held off and ended up buying the lens from someone I knew offline. I don't know why I didn't start reading regularly, but I didn't. Recently I've started reading the FM site forums and have discovered a great community with some fantastic posters. I'll get my image upload turned on within the next week and will have to post a few of my macro attempts. We'll see how well I do.

Hello!

I have been Lurking these site for a few years and do occasionally post. I have had a fascination with macro photography for a long time. I am a Graphic desinger by profession
but i love photography.. I started off with a 10D and a 100mm macro 2.8 and it was a great setup
after a while i got bored with macro and sold the 100.. which was a mistake.. im not saving up for another copy.. since then ive upgraded to a 40D and have a 70-200 2.8 and got myself a 500D closeup filter for it. which seems to fulfil the urge for macro when it hits

I have learned alot of macro and would like to thank everyone for posting advise and comments on my and others photos.. i Still have alot to learn and will try to participate more

Adam,

Been a lurker for quite a while. Mainly in the portal section. Started looking at the Macro stuff more and more. I post questions and comments a lot. It wasn't until Tom Hicks started the reverse 50mm and August challenge threads that I finally posted a couple of shots when I got a reversing ring for my old 50mm lens. Unfortunately time does not allow a lot of experimentation. But I get to play ocassionally. Now I have the Macro bug (no pun intended). I want to spend more time using what I have before spending $$ on a dedicated macro lens. In the mean time I am having fun.
I hope to contribute to this forum more in the future.

Hello.

I am both a noob and a lurker.
I look around for reviews, techniques.
Main attraction for me is wildlife, old cars and airplanes.
I started long ago but living in a former communist country access to equipment was scarce at best.
I restarted at 39 yo, but got more into it at 40.
I have a couple of pics posted in the one of the threads about planes (don't remember which).
Currently, I have a Canon 40D, a Sigma 150 Macro (returned for exchange with another one), a Canon 70-200 f4 L IS USM (fabulous lens), a Tamron 17-50 (another great lens) , and a Canon 100-400 (I just love this. I got it from here, used indeed, but super clean and darn sharp. Just could not tell that it is used).
I hope to have time to be more active.

Cheers
Armand

Hello
I'm chris, ive been interested in photography since the late 80's but it never really went much beyond the casual family snapshots tho at times i got some decent pics.
My first SLR set up was a canon but it got stolen on a Deer hunt when the trucks got broke into but with the money i received i got a new Minolta X-700, 4 lenses and some filters.
When the Digital age came into focus i got the HP Digi cam and used it for some years then got the Kodak Z740 and now last Aug i got a canon S5 IS powershot.

ill add more later gatta go

Hi All,
I am a 2 Month old Photographer but have loved all kinds of Art for many years.
I am here to learn.
Thank you for having me.

I have had this website on my favorites for over a year I think!
Now that I have my new macro lens on the way I will be around a lot more.
I have not really been lurking much exept for the last couple of weeks since
I ordered my new lense.
Some of the photos here are just amazing.Great motivation!

I am new to FM so I guess that makes me new to this forum as well. I am a lurker-newbie I suppose...The idea of shooting the smaller things in life is so interesting. I see there is a lot of talent here and hope to learn about macro.

Got here for the first time today. I do intend to do a little lurking but will post anything I think is appropriate. Still looking for what I love to do with photography, so far have found a lot of likes. Do like macro, though, use a Nikon D300 now and shoot close-ups with 200mm tele, sometimes a CU. Will get a true macro lens this winter. Considering the Nikon 105.

Dave

hi guys. im adrixe. im a newbie and lurker here in FM. its been a yr now that i started with photography. i love shooting people and would love to get started with macro. i hope i'll learn more from this forum. my setup right now is canon 30D, tokina 12-24mm, canon 70-200 F4L IS, tamron 28-75 F2.8 (soon), canon 430ex flash.

Hey Everyone,

Very new to this site (sign up for an account today), but have been lurking for a few months now on recommendation of a friend. I am very much a newb and I am just getting started in the photography scene, never mind the macro world! The only gear I own at this time is a Canon XSi with the kit 18-55mm lens. The same friend who showed me this site has been so kind to lend me his Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens as he has just upgraded to some better ones.

I have taken a few macro pictures and will most definitely post them in a new topic to see get some feedback so I can learn some skill!

Thanks for giving me the kick in the pants to sign up for the forum and leave a post! (hopefully a few more!)

Tom Hicks wrote:
Here is my challenge to you in 2008, Start getting active in the forum, We all had to start somewhere, and none of us were any good in the beginning.

Hi Tom,
I've been into photography for about 60 years so not really a n00b. I'm only intermediate (if that) in skill level though. I'm on a lot of other photography sites but don't usually post much. The mods here are the coolest (not control freaks) so I picked this place to post. Being on those other photo sites I noticed something that may be useful here. I noticed that when there's a forum area dedicated to "novice" or "entry level" users by name that people who would otherwise be afraid to post (by contrast or whatever) become quite fearless and those forum areas are always the most active.

So, if that's what you're interested in - more posts from noobs - then that might be one idea to get it going.
just a thought.

BTW, to answer one of your questions:

Do you feel intimidated by the work that is posted here and don't feel you are good enough to post any of your work at this time .

Yes! I do do feel intimidated! Some of the people here are just awesome! But that's a good thing for me. Inspirational even!

Bifurcator wrote:
Tom Hicks wrote:
Here is my challenge to you in 2008, Start getting active in the forum, We all had to start somewhere, and none of us were any good in the beginning.

Hi Tom,
I've been into photography for about 60 years so not really a n00b. I'm only intermediate (if that) in skill level though. I'm on a lot of other photography sites but don't usually post much. The mods here are the coolest (not control freaks) so I picked this place to post. Being on those other photo sites I noticed something that may be useful here. I noticed that when there's a forum area dedicated to "novice" or "entry level" users by name that people who would otherwise be afraid to post (by contrast or whatever) become quite fearless and those forum areas are always the most active.

So, if that's what you're interested in - more posts from noobs - then that might be one idea to get it going.
just a thought.

BTW, to answer one of your questions:

Do you feel intimidated by the work that is posted here and don't feel you are good enough to post any of your work at this time .

Yes! I do do feel intimidated! Some of the people here are just awesome! But that's a good thing for me. Inspirational even!



Glad you stopped here for your Macro Home , The people on Fred's are and have always been the most approachable on the net. I know for a fact we have the most approachable photogs in macro than anywhere. We all started at the bottom , and will help in anyway we can. I personally get busy sometimes and it may take a while to get a reply , but I generally get back within a few days. I'm sure we can all learn a thing or two from you as well.

Best , Tom

Thanks Tom,

That was a nice welcome! I don't bring any teachables that aren't already out there in abundance tho. Just me - the warm body and participant.

Hi, Tom (and everyone else). Been looking at the overall site for about 2 months and appreciating the art and enthusiasm. I'm a 71 year old retired Navy officer and also a retired prison administrator. Was an enthusiastic 35mm film hobbyist for my years in the Navy, but had most of my gear stolen in a burglary in the early 1980's. Have been using a p&s digital Oly, and purchased a nice Oly E-510 and some nice lenses, including the very nice Zuiko 50 f/1.2 macro and done some "nice" pictures. Always wanted a Canon rig, so also purchased a 40D, with the 17-85 IS kit lense, a Canon 70-200 f/4L and a 30mm 1/4 Sigma. Have been doing a lot of reading and site-hopping trying to decide on a versatile prime macro. Fred mentioned something about a diopter as a tool to use with my other lenses to gain some macro experience (the 17-85 does some macro, also), and would appreciate your input about a "diopter" that will work on my Canon70-200 or Sigma 30mm. Know I'm a noob at all this, but we "older guys" have to learn fast - and I'm capable of doing so. Thanks for reading - any input from others will also be very cheerfully received!

Stu

just started getting into macro
i now have recently purchased a canon 40D and a 100mm F2.8 USM lens
last wednesday was my first real play with the lens any C&C greatly appreciated

I've been lurking here for a while, like many. I've been intimidated to post by the awesome quality on display from the other members. I attended a Canon macro workshop, hosted by George Lepp, this weekend and I learned a lot. I got to play with all sorts of equipment including the MT-24EX Flash, the (in)famous MP-E 65mm and the new EOS 5D Mark II. I'd better find a way to get rich with photogaphy as I have some expensive equipment envy now. My own gear is not too shabby, a 40D and 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. I've learned that I really have to get a specialized flash if I want to continue with macro.

Here are a few shots from this weekend. I tend to like the abstract side of macro. It really is like going to another world.

Here are an Ameican Alligator, a butterfly wing and a butterfly face. I know they are not perfect but I hope they are interesting.

Have posted a few pictures over in the Nature forum, but have only lurked here in the Macro forum for a few weeks. What great works of art being produce! Definitely has me thinking about what I can learn to do. I have always loved macro photography. I am going to take some time and try my hand at it in earnest. Will start another thread in a while for critique. Thank you for the challenge