Help from macro experts

[tmonatr]

I have done a little macro work with my 17-70, but am wanting to get alittle more serious and get a dedicated macro lens. I am getting the Canon ef 100 2.8 macro (I'm waiting for the BH Photo website to open right now). I will also be getting the Delta Flip Flash bracket to use, after seeing "Show me your macro rig". Any other real necessities I need immediately? I'll also be getting the off-camera cord and I have several different flash diffusers. Any thoughts or suggestions in the next 20 minutes would be appreciated.

[Bill Pham]

how about a remote shutter switch and some tubes.

Bill

[macro junkie]

kenko tubes

[eccles]

Practice. Lots of it!

[Attic]

Get out in the garden and go looking for bugs as you need to get used to finding them, not as easy as it seems.

[macro junkie]

Get out in the garden and go looking for bugs as you need to get used to finding them, not as easy as it seems.

this is true..ants and grass hopers and some spiders are eaqsy to find..but other insecs are hard to come by unless u know where to look and i dont.:( i need a book.

[racketman]

this is true..ants and grass hopers and some spiders are eaqsy to find..but other insecs are hard to come by unless u know where to look and i dont.:( i need a book.

or two or three.....

http://www.pbase.com/racketman/image/76393600.jpg

[eccles]

Toby, your book collection is almost as good as your pictures. :)

[dpastern]

Practice. Lots of it!

Agreed. I also agree with Alby's comments about getting out in the garden and looking for Insects & Arachnids. Toby's suggestions about books is also highly valid.

I'll add one more thing:

patience.

Dave

PS Toby - impressive book collection, I had plans on getting several more books for my own collection, but being unemployed and poor killed those ideas ;)

[dpastern]

Well, finally unpacked and sorted my insect/arachnid related books/handouts this morning and snapped a shot of it :)

Dave

[EMarkM]

I'd add two more things, if you don't have them already:-

1. Tripod (essential, don't fool yourself for a minute that it's not)
2. Neutral Density filter (not essential, but will bring down your DOF in well-lit situations)

[Dalantech]

I'd add two more things, if you don't have them already:-

1. Tripod (essential, don't fool yourself for a minute that it's not)


Never used one for insect photography -and before you say anything you really should check out my gallery...


2. Neutral Density filter (not essential, but will bring down your DOF in well-lit situations)

Why in the world, at life size and higher magnification, would you ever need to reduce the amount of available light?! No disrespect intended, but do you even shoot macro?!

FWIW: Here is a recent shot, hand held -like all of my insect macro. Twice life size and it's almost straight out of the camera (I was doing a flash test so I kept the post processing to a minimum)...

http://dalantech.smugmug.com/photos/195577128-L.jpg

For the original poster: See my blog (link in my signature) for macro photography tips. I've used your lens with tubes, teleconverters, and diopters to go above life size. I also have a lot of info on using the MT-24EX.

[EMarkM]

No disrespect intended, but do you even shoot macro?!

Yes, yes I do, and I must say I've been a fan of your work ever since I first saw it a few months ago.

I've found it necessary to reduce DOF on a few shots, and the only way in which to do it under the lighting conditions I had was to use an ND.

As I said - it is not the most essential piece of equipment, but it has come in handy for me in the past.

As for a tripod: I'm impressed you don't use one, it is a sign of your skills that you don't need one. For the rest of us, I fear, it might really be considered essential.

No disrespect taken! :)

[Dalantech]

Yes, yes I do, and I must say I've been a fan of your work ever since I first saw it a few months ago.

I've found it necessary to reduce DOF on a few shots, and the only way in which to do it under the lighting conditions I had was to use an ND.

As I said - it is not the most essential piece of equipment, but it has come in handy for me in the past.

As for a tripod: I'm impressed you don't use one, it is a sign of your skills that you don't need one. For the rest of us, I fear, it might really be considered essential.

No disrespect taken! :)

:cool:

You really threw me cause the last thing I need is less light -but then again I do shoot above 1:1 most of the time ;)

I would actually love to use a tripod in the field because it would make nailing the composition easier, but the critters I photograph just don't sit still. I will be using one this winter to shoot macro abstracts in the house.

[skylab]

Also learn how to be stealthy. Learn how to approach all types of insects from different angles. Keep your shadow off them. Approach from a low angle.

[EMarkM]

^^^ (Dalantech) I think it's perhaps easy to forget, once you're "into" a particular subject so much (like you and your insects), that macro doesn't just cover that one thing.

I shoot plants, architectural textures, engineering features and so on, which are all much bigger than our lovely little bugs, so very often a different kind of control over DOF is needed.

You DO take some cracking shots though: I believe I first saw them over on the Outdoor Photography forum (I may be mistaken). If I'm right and you're a member there, is it still being supported? I got my first email back when I tried to join up, but never received the second one that actually activates your membership.

I had read a few comments on there that it wasn't really being looked after properly.

[Dalantech]

^^^ (Dalantech) I think it's perhaps easy to forget, once you're "into" a particular subject so much (like you and your insects), that macro doesn't just cover that one thing.'

I shoot plants, architectural textures, engineering features and so on, which are all much bigger than our lovely little bugs, so very often a different kind of control over DOF is needed.


I don't like absolutes. To say that a piece of equipment is necessary suggests that one cannot do without it -and there is no black and white in photography where technique is concerned...


You DO take some cracking shots though: I believe I first saw them over on the Outdoor Photography forum (I may be mistaken). If I'm right and you're a member there, is it still being supported? I got my first email back when I tried to join up, but never received the second one that actually activates your membership.

I had read a few comments on there that it wasn't really being looked after properly.

It's getting better, but the magazine doesn't seem to be supporting it. I still post there, but it's a "ghost town"...

I spend most of my time at the Fred Miranda Macro Forum (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/45).

Thanks for the props -but I'm still learning and I don't see that changing any time soon..

[tmonatr]

Hey guys. Since I first posted this thread, I've 1: Recieved my 100 2.8 macro (which the UPS driver dropped in the street as he was walking to my door) 2. recieved a defective E-TTL cord from E-Bay (shocking, I know) 3: had to tighten the CRAP out of my Flip-Flash as it was a Flop-Flash, 4: found out 1:1 macro is challenging, rewarding, and fun, and I've realized I don't know the names of any insects (other than fly, spider, butterfly, etc..). I guess that is where the books come in. Thanks for all the input.:)

[Dalantech]

...and I've realized I don't know the names of any insects (other than fly, spider, butterfly, etc..). :)

LMAO! I still don't! :D

[tmonatr]

LMAO! I still don't! :D

I just looked at your gallery. WOW! You may not know their names, but you can sure photograph them. I really like the beetle climbing the ladder.;)

[Dalantech]

I just looked at your gallery. WOW! You may not know their names, but you can sure photograph them. I really like the beetle climbing the ladder.;)

Thanks :)

[dpastern]

Hey guys. Since I first posted this thread, I've 1: Recieved my 100 2.8 macro (which the UPS driver dropped in the street as he was walking to my door) 2. recieved a defective E-TTL cord from E-Bay (shocking, I know) 3: had to tighten the CRAP out of my Flip-Flash as it was a Flop-Flash, 4: found out 1:1 macro is challenging, rewarding, and fun, and I've realized I don't know the names of any insects (other than fly, spider, butterfly, etc..). I guess that is where the books come in. Thanks for all the input.:)

1. Not so funny.
2. Not so funny.
3. I found it funny, but only because I own one of the damn things and I'm constantly fighting with it to stay like I set it.
4. Yup, it is. That's why I keep saying practice, practice and more practice.

Names of the bugs? You learn them after a while. Again, practice.

Dave