Action Figure Photography

[mCm]

Funny i just stumbled on this thread. I was taking macro shots of some of my Tim Burton figures last night.

Canon 100mm macro, 580ex & pocketwizards. bare flash upper right & a pair of white cardboard bounce cards and one more piece of cardboard to shape/block light from the flash. I used a large uncut black piece of cardboard as a seamless background. shot in full manual. No pics of the set up, sorry.

[ChrisMc73]

Originally Posted by mCm

Funny i just stumbled on this thread. I was taking macro shots of some of my Tim Burton figures last night.

Canon 100mm macro, 580ex & pocketwizards. bare flash upper right & a pair of white cardboard bounce cards and one more piece of cardboard to shape/block light from the flash. I used a large uncut black piece of cardboard as a seamless background. shot in full manual. No pics of the set up, sorry.

Nice work. Is that the 100mm Macro the new L or just the previous version?
Been trying to decide between the two...and can't make up my mind.

What manual settings did you use?

[mCm]

Originally Posted by ChrisMc73

Nice work. Is that the 100mm Macro the new L or just the previous version?
Been trying to decide between the two...and can't make up my mind.

What manual settings did you use?

I have the older 100mm macro (non-L version). From what I have read the new L series 100mm macro is good but the IS not quite there yet. Not a great value for your $.

100mm L Macro Review

As for manual settings: 1/160sec, f/11, ISO 100. 580ex set to 1/16th power (or something close) positioned upper right with no diffuser and i used a piece of cardboard to shield the light from spilling onto the background. I also used two pieces of white cardboard as bounce cards, placed to the left and front left of the figures. The cardboard pieces were about the size of a comic book and came with a drawer box i have for my comics. Comic boards also work well for bounce cards and are more reflective than the cardboard used in these shots.

[ChrisMc73]

Originally Posted by mCm

I have the older 100mm macro (non-L version). From what I have read the new L series 100mm macro is good but the IS not quite there yet. Not a great value for your $.

100mm L Macro Review

As for manual settings: 1/160sec, f/11, ISO 100. 580ex set to 1/16th power (or something close) positioned upper right with no diffuser and i used a piece of cardboard to shield the light from spilling onto the background. I also used two pieces of white cardboard as bounce cards, placed to the left and front left of the figures. The cardboard pieces were about the size of a comic book and came with a drawer box i have for my comics. Comic boards also work well for bounce cards and are more reflective than the cardboard used in these shots.

Tripod or no Tripod?

Awesome explanation there, I just wished I could see that visually setup and it would make more sense to me, any way to snap a pic of that setup? I'm so visual, it would just make more sense to see it.
I can kind of visualize it, but to see the actual boards in place, would be awesome.

Also, I see you have a few L's yourself, you don't think the 100mm macro L is worth an upgrade at this point?

I forgot I have this EXIF data reading in the FireFox browser...sorry...I should have checked it first...

Camera Make: Canon

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

Image Date: 2010:01:18 21:17:49

Flash Used: Yes (Manual)

Focal Length: 100.0mm

CCD Width: 6.15mm

Exposure Time: 0.0031 s (1/320)

Aperture: f/16.0

ISO equiv: 100

White Balance: Auto

Metering Mode: Matrix

Exposure: Manual

Exposure Mode: Manual

[mCm]

Originally Posted by ChrisMc73

Tripod or no Tripod?

Awesome explanation there, I just wished I could see that visually setup and it would make more sense to me, any way to snap a pic of that setup? I'm so visual, it would just make more sense to see it.
I can kind of visualize it, but to see the actual boards in place, would be awesome.

Also, I see you have a few L's yourself, you don't think the 100mm macro L is worth an upgrade at this point?

I did use a tripod, mainly to keep my framing consistent but it was not really necessary with the shutter speeds i was using.

I did break down my set up last night but if I end up taking more shots like this soon I can easily snap a pic for you.

As far as upgrading to the 100mm L, that's a tough call. I'm happy with the sharpness of my lens, and for the amount I use it I'm not sure that the jump up to the L version is worth the price difference. I considered upgrading initially because of the IS but after reading that the IS does not perform as well as expected at macro distances I don't see the point. Maybe someone who has used the L version can chime in...

[ChrisMc73]

Originally Posted by mCm

I did use a tripod, mainly to keep my framing consistent but it was not really necessary with the shutter speeds i was using.

I did break down my set up last night but if I end up taking more shots like this soon I can easily snap a pic for you.

As far as upgrading to the 100mm L, that's a tough call. I'm happy with the sharpness of my lens, and for the amount I use it I'm not sure that the jump up to the L version is worth the price difference. I considered upgrading initially because of the IS but after reading that the IS does not perform as well as expected at macro distances I don't see the point. Maybe someone who has used the L version can chime in...

While they are saying the IS doesn't perform "that" well at macro distances, they are saying its great in "portriat" distances, which I'll use just as much if not more, that would be my selling point to go L or not, I suppose.

[joayne]

Ok the Title made me look.
This is a funny thread!
but, the same would apply to any product photography, still, the title made me laugh!

I love the Tim Burton figures...
................................carry on...

[ChrisMc73]

Originally Posted by joayne

Ok the Title made me look.
This is a funny thread!
but, the same would apply to any product photography, still, the title made me laugh!

I love the Tim Burton figures...
................................carry on...

Whats so funny about the title and thread?

[mCm]

Originally Posted by ChrisMc73

While they are saying the IS doesn't perform "that" well at macro distances, they are saying its great in "portriat" distances, which I'll use just as much if not more, that would be my selling point to go L or not, I suppose.

This is where I would use my 70-200mm. It's a personal choice. I'm sure the quality of the lens is great, as are all Canon L's. If it works for you, I say go for it. To be honest, if/when I see my way clear financially, there is a good chance it will end up in my bag.

[joayne]

Originally Posted by ChrisMc73

Whats so funny about the title and thread?

Really
"Action Figure Photography"
No dissing intended, but it struck me funny..

[ChrisMc73]

Yes, pictures of action figures, am I missing something? Sounds better than..."Stills of Mens Dollies", right?

[canonloader]

She's laughing at us, guys.

[joayne]

Originally Posted by ChrisMc73

Yes, pictures of action figures, am I missing something? Sounds better than..."Stills of Mens Dollies", right?

LMAO....

Originally Posted by canonloader

She's laughing at us, guys.

Lovingly yes


....*sniff *

I have a very good friend who is a collector, I know it is serious *giggles* but honestly
Still's of Men's Dollies is priceless!

[mCm]

So I decided to take more pics tonight.

Here is the set up.
Typically I've been holding the cardboard piece being used to direct the light from the flash by hand, but for the purpose of these set up pics I taped it to the flash.





Here is the result.





Realize that this is just trial and error until you achieve the desired results.

[mCm]

a couple more...