I have been in photography for about last 3 years only. I usually lurk around to pickup some shooting tips and ideas, I rarely post something. I like to shoot landscapes, waterscapes and macro creatures & objects. I like to learn things on my own first and like to experiment a lot. My first Macro lens was MP-E 65mm bought it used in June 2010. And my work can be found at My work
Noob Here.......Lurking and learning from amazing artists in this forum. I haven't had my new camera more then 2 weeks. Been wanting to get into this for MANY years and just starting to learn the art of photography. I have a feeling that I will never stop learning I really enjoy this marco stuff, some really amazing pictures on this forum.
Hi all,
I've had a macro lens for a while but haven't really used it for macro shooting. Bought it on a whim because I got a good price for it and have mostly used it to shoot people. Finally got around to trying it out. Took this using the built in Nikon wireless with the flash sitting underneath the spider triggered with the on-board flash. Took something like 30 or 40 shots and this is one of the two which I liked.
What I found interesting was how difficult it was to handhold the camera while trying to take this. Shot with a Nikon D700, 105 f/2.8VR and a SB-800 fired remotely.
Welcome to the forum Panoramarts, Michael and Dimi! It's good to see new faces on here and I hope we get to see some of your posts soon.
panoramarts: There's some lovely shots in your DA gallery that you should post!
Michael: I know what you mean about learning! Hopefully it never ends. Look forward to seeing some posts when you've given the new camera a work out!
Dimi: Glad you've started pointing your macro lense at insects as this is a great shot! The lighting has worked beautifully! Look forward to seeing more
I'm a first-time poster in this forum. I have become interested in macro after taking a few pictures of insects, and the amazing work that many people on this forum have done is inspiring. I'm especially interested in photographing insects.
I shoot with a D90 and Tamron 60 f/2 (not a "hardcore" macro lens, I guess, but I think the extra speed makes it great as an everyday telephoto lens). I have an SB-600 and just today I began building a diffuser to help me get better lighting I really am a beginner at macro and although I've done a lot of reading online to get information about technique, post-processing, and so on, there's a lot left to learn.
I'll post some pictures later (I'm not at my home computer now). I look forward to posting here and hopefully getting helpful feedback!
Welcome vc13130! Sounds like you're hooked on macro, so you'll fit in well Look forward to seeing some images, and if you have any questions post them too as I'm sure everyone will be more than happy to answer if they can!
I've been lurking on this forum for a few weeks now and have just started to dabble in the worlds of close up and macro.
First off, my handle, bigpix does not refer to any great talent but rather it reflects my occupation which is the world or giant screen video displays, projection, LED screens etc.
I have been dabbling with various bits of gear starting with my D80, 50mm 1.8 with cheap close up filters. Then a purchase of a used Nikon 60mm macro (wow what a difference) and just recently an ebay bellows with different lenses.
I especially like the fact that I don't have to travel much more than a few steps out my back door to find a subject to work and I tend so far towards the abstract rather than critters.
I will now attempt to start a new thread and link to a couple of few shots.
I look forward to sharing images, ideas and opinions with all of you.
cogitech wrote:
I've noticed that several people feel they simply cannot afford proper macro gear, despite being so interested in macro photography. This is unfortunate..
I spent $5 on my first real macro shot - total noob stuff with huge room to improve, but I did this more for proof of concept and now see that a few bucks spent on a couple used slave flash units, a macro rail and a lot more practice will most likely get me some much more respectable results than this shot on my kitchen table
this was the result of 5 minutes twisting a tripod and moving the subject on a plastic sheet to get it in focus. Shot with a D90, a reversed old manual focus 24mm f/2.8 nikkor and the built in pop-up flash, a piece of tissue on the flash and a piece of paper used to bounce the light back onto the subject (also put serious glare on the lens...). Lots to do better next time around, but at least I know I can get close enough to see the hair on the face of a 1/4" diameter spider body
Back in the day I used a Powershot S3is and that was pretty good considering its 'all in one' capabilities and super IS. After I got into D-SLR territory I forgot about macro the urge has now come back full-on.
I recently ordered some cheap closeup filters and I know the results wont be great considering the distortions of cheap optics on precision glass but its a start right?!
Any good reads for people getting into MAcro? Specifically DSLR and not dedicated macro lens tutes?
The_Doctor wrote:
I recently ordered some cheap closeup filters and I know the results wont be great considering the distortions of cheap optics on precision glass but its a start right?!
i used close up lenses in the past and while hiking in the mountains that was a low weight option to get some macro, but sharpness was pretty awful, especially in the corners.
I recently came across these Canon dual lens close up filters - these may be much higher grade (they do cost a lot more, too...)
pburke wrote:
i used close up lenses in the past and while hiking in the mountains that was a low weight option to get some macro, but sharpness was pretty awful, especially in the corners.
I recently came across these Canon dual lens close up filters - these may be much higher grade (they do cost a lot more, too...)
Anyone have experience with these? My use would be flowers and other smaller objects while hiking in the backcountry, no insects or super close ups.
Those diopters are very high end and are some of the best you can buy , I would get the 77mm with step down rings to be used on different lens you may have . the 500D is a wonderful piece if glass. They seem to make the dof shallower, and most of time you will need to shoot at around 3 stops smaller f stop.
I'm a total lurker, I don't really shoot macro very often and I don't have any really good macro lenses. I'm a portrait photographer and my specialty is shooting babies (with a camera.) But I do get the occasional commercial job that requires macro know how. I've been hired to shoot fishing bait and jewelry and found out with the bait just how bad I stink at macro. So I lurk, trying to pick up some tips and improve.
Also, I have little boys who love to look at the bugs in this forum! I have an 8 year old who is autistic and he loves spiders, we can spend hours on this forum just looking at bug parts and then researching every thing about them.
bellissimogirl wrote:
my specialty is shooting babies (with a camera.)
bellissimogirl wrote:
Also, I have little boys who love to look at the bugs in this forum! I have an 8 year old who is autistic and he loves spiders, we can spend hours on this forum just looking at bug parts and then researching every thing about them.
It's funny you say that.... My wife works for an autism association here is Aus and she always says the kids are fascinated by the bugs too!
Hi Tom, I have been in and out of this forum with an appreciation for the amazing talent I see here.
I normally shoot landscape but live in an area that has more spiders,cenipedes and other amazing little creatures and don't have a clue what lens is best to capture them.
I have used a 105 F2 Nikon with extention tubes and I am ok with them but I want to see the hairs on there backs...I hope you can start a thread or suggest the best equipment for this type of photos..also I would love to shoot Ice crystals.
I am at a loss where to start..any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Thanks,Carolyn
OK, I'll jump in. I have been very active on FM for over eight years. I moderate the Landscape forum here and know a lot of FM people, but I am still a stranger on the Macro forum. I visit here from time to time to view the incredible world of in-your-face bugs. Man, you guys really like bugs! Don't you enjoy other subjects? I like closeup photography, and do some, but not at the magnification and certainly not at the talent that is always here. I attended a closeup/macro workshop last week that was presented by Dave Henry and sponsored by Canon. There was a LOT of Canon and other gear to use and I got to try it out during the afternoon hands-on sessions. I've owned the 100mm macro for years and played with other lenses and lighting rigs. I made a fairly nice image there, a close up of a shell. I've hesitated posting it here because I just don't see that kind of work being posted here. More of a nature image. There are not many bugs where I live, so it has not become a serious interest of mine. Y'all can visit my site to see what I usually do. One comment, tho, is to ask that you guys say what lens you used for the images posted and perhaps the magnification, too. Then the noobs like me can understand what they can do. And, come on over to Landscape sometimes. We don't bite!
Nice to see you spreading yourself around the different forums!
There does tend to be a lot of insect shots posted here, but they are not the only subjects. There are often threads on subjects such as flowers, water drops, watches and other things. These shots are always appreciated and enjoyed when they do come up, and it's a case of the more the merrier IMO! I'd love to see your shot of the shell... if it's anything even close to the quality of your landscapes (or your agave shot, which I still find inspirational!) I imagine it will be quite an image.
Although there are a lot of insect shots posted, diversity is always good and I'd hope that those viewing the forum who are into other macro subjects aren't turned off, and still post their shots. As I said, other subjects are always appreciated and commented.
re: The lens/magnification suggestion... It's a very good one and hopefully something that will catch on.
As for the landscape forum.... I use to be quite regular over there, and still view most days but haven't done a lot of landscaping this year so haven't posted for a while. Having said that, I'll take up your challenge and post some images shortly.
CDalessandro wrote:
Hi Tom, I have been in and out of this forum with an appreciation for the amazing talent I see here.
I normally shoot landscape but live in an area that has more spiders,cenipedes and other amazing little creatures and don't have a clue what lens is best to capture them.
I have used a 105 F2 Nikon with extention tubes and I am ok with them but I want to see the hairs on there backs...I hope you can start a thread or suggest the best equipment for this type of photos..also I would love to shoot Ice crystals.
I am at a loss where to start..any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Thanks,Carolyn...Show more →
Hi Carolyn,
Sorry no one has replied to your post... questions do get lost in these threads sometimes!
re: Lenses... I shoot Canon, so I'm not familiar with Nikon lenses unfortunatly. If the 105 is a true macro lense (Getting you in to 1 to 1), then a full set of extension tubes should get you close to 2 to 1. Once you get to this magnification level, you should be seeing a great deal of detail such as individual hairs and eye facets. Posters such as Kenny (Kenj8246) use this same setup with fantastic results.
Another option is to attach a close up filter (such as the raynox ones) to the front of the lens... there are a few posters on here such as Mark (MarkB1) that use them and image quality is really high.
A large number of people of here including myself use the MP-E 65. It's a Canon lens that lets you go from 1 to 1 up to 5 to 1. Unfortantly, no other brands have anything similar.
I'd say your best bet is to start a new thread and post a couple of uncropped images that show what you are acheiving, and then state what you would like to acheive. It's a great bunch of people here with a lot of knowledge and those that can help, certainly will!
Hey all! Im a newb and lurker from Canada, and I go by the name Justin Grimm. I only created an account today, but have been drooling over pictures here for quite some time. I picked up my first dslr about 8 months ago used, for a great price (canon rebel xti), and was given a 100mm 2.8 macro lens for christmas. Im slightly annoyed however, after learning about extension tubes and reverting filters days after christmas. In any case I'm looking forward to posting more here and soaking up as much knowledge as I can.
Not sure if uploading from phtobucket is allowed without paying money here, but I'll give it a try. If they need to be removed feel free to take them down. Just a couple of my first macro shots that I am proud of thus far.
The critters I keep...
And a fun experiment for me, boring and old to everyone else haha
Jeffrey wrote:
I made a fairly nice image there, a close up of a shell. I've hesitated posting it here because I just don't see that kind of work being posted here.
Don't hesitate posting! Just because most of the forum revolves around insect life doesn't mean it's the only appreciated subject matter.
I really enjoy this marco stuff, some really amazing pictures on this forum.
I really am a beginner at macro and although I've done a lot of reading online to get information about technique, post-processing, and so on, there's a lot left to learn.
