STICKY:  Show us your Macro Rig

Hello, just joined. this is the latest iteration of my macro rig. I'm constantly updating, changing & experimenting with it.
Sony A77ii with Sigma 180mm f3.5 macro, usually with Sigma 1.4X TC. Neewer NW880S flash with 6 X 9 inch diffuser on DIY bracket
Oben MFr4-5 focusing rail, Nest gimbal and Giottos tripod.

txphotographer wrote in post #18214082
Hello, just joined. this is the latest iteration of my macro rig. I'm constantly updating, changing & experimenting with it.
Sony A77ii with Sigma 180mm f3.5 macro, usually with Sigma 1.4X TC. Neewer NW880S flash with 6 X 9 inch diffuser on DIY bracket
Oben MFr4-5 focusing rail, Nest gimbal and Giottos tripod.

Hosted photo: posted by txphotographer in
./showthread.php?p=182​14082&i=i160755269
forum: Macro

Hi, Tx. Welcome to POTN.

That looks like a serious rig. I gotta ask - what are your subjects? You are on a tripod with a rail, and that suggests probably not active insects.

Actually, I do a lot of insects and some flowers, etc. I'm to unstable to hand hold so I shoot everything on a tripod.
I use the rail to fine tune focus (when I have time ) and for doing focus stacks of stationary subjects.
I'll post some of my shots soon, just finding my way around the site.

txphotographer wrote in post #18214207
Actually, I do a lot of insects and some flowers, etc. I'm to unstable to hand hold so I shoot everything on a tripod.
I use the rail to fine tune focus (when I have time ) and for doing focus stacks of stationary subjects.
I'll post some of my shots soon, just finding my way around the site.

OK, cool. Your rig is a bit unusual with the support, and also in the long focal length(s), so it would be good to see some samples and the reasoning behind the method. Macro is a technical discipline and we all want to learn.

I am relatively new to macro but not photography in general.
I started doing macro this past summer.
I started shooting mainly dragonflies and damselflies and found that the long focal lengths allowed me to fill the frame without too much risk of spooking the insects.
I added the 1.4 TC to get even more working distance. I experimented with lighting until I got something I was happy with.
I posted a couple of recent shots in the macro section yesterday and will be doing more.
My reasoning, if you can call it that, mostly involves my physical limitations. I'm 74 years old and have 'health issues'.
Some of the meds I'm on cause me to be shaky and cause blurred vision.
Since I have to get close to insects, etc. to photograph them my vision problems are not as much of an issue.
I'm more likely to be learning from the group here than 'teaching' given my limited experience with macro.

Hi people, I don't post very often. Here's my latest set up. Inspiration from this forum. Canon M3 & EFS 60mm macro lens. 270EX2 fired by 90EX. Photo with G1X

Interesting. Do you have photo examples?

My current handheld setup with MP-E65.

All parts are 3d printed including the flash mounts which are similar to kaiser mounts.

The diffuser body has been designed so that different attachments can be easily added/removed using magnets. The diffusion face you see here is also 3d printed and has a graduated thickness to spread the light more evenly, rather than making a thick face to diffuse the light, doing it this way eliminates the hot spot and allows more light through on the edges. This also means you can use a reduced flash level and the modelling lights work pretty well.

The angle of the face has also been designed so that light does not bleed back into the lens which can be a problem with the MP-E65 because of how close the subject has to be to the front of the lens.

Additional attachments can be placed over the diffuser using the magnetic system, such as the oval shaped ones shown below which provide an oval shaped reflection in the subject. I also have diffuser extensions to provide even more light when needed and which are reversible so you can add more light underneath or from above.

JasonC007 wrote in post #18378347
My current handheld setup with MP-E65.

All parts are 3d printed including the flash mounts which are similar to kaiser mounts.

The diffuser body has been designed so that different attachments can be easily added/removed using magnets. The diffusion face you see here is also 3d printed and has a graduated thickness to spread the light more evenly, rather than making a thick face to diffuse the light, doing it this way eliminates the hot spot and allows more light through on the edges. This also means you can use a reduced flash level and the modelling lights work pretty well.

The angle of the face has also been designed so that light does not bleed back into the lens which can be a problem with the MP-E65 because of how close the subject has to be to the front of the lens.

Additional attachments can be placed over the diffuser using the magnetic system, such as the oval shaped ones shown below which provide an oval shaped reflection in the subject. I also have diffuser extensions to provide even more light when needed and which are reversible so you can add more light underneath or from above.

Hosted photo: posted by JasonC007 in
./showthread.php?p=183​78347&i=i92531241
forum: Macro

Hosted photo: posted by JasonC007 in
./showthread.php?p=183​78347&i=i120900732
forum: Macro

A very cool design.

BTW, there is a lens hood for the MPE-65 to reduce flare. I have a Chinese knock-off and it works great. Maybe you could just print one.

Archibald wrote in post #18378400
A very cool design.

BTW, there is a lens hood for the MPE-65 to reduce flare. I have a Chinese knock-off and it works great. Maybe you could just print one.

Thanks.

Yes I know about the lens hood and did consider it a while back, but after designing the diffusers like I did there was no need for one so I never pursued them any further!

winnibago wrote in post #18241103
Hi people, I don't post very often. Here's my latest set up. Inspiration from this forum. Canon M3 & EFS 60mm macro lens. 270EX2 fired by 90EX. Photo with G1X

Hosted photo: posted by winnibago in
./showthread.php?p=182​41103&i=i228105712
forum: Macro

Ooookay, whats with the scrapings? That's a new one for me.

wayne9999 wrote in post #18636731
Ooookay, whats with the scrapings? That's a new one for me.

I was wondering too, if the scratched surface would (randomly?) scatter any reflected light from inside the lens hood to lessen unwanted reflections?

Cheers

Dennis

My current macro rig for 2019. That blog post includes a video showing my diffusers as well as a discussion about light quality, angle, and how the surroundings can act as a bounce card.

Dalantech wrote in post #18890135
My current macro rig for 2019. That blog post includes a video showing my diffusers as well as a discussion about light quality, angle, and how the surroundings can act as a bounce card.

Great blog and video. You wrote 24EX in the text but mentioned 26EX in the video. I'm thinking the latter is correct. I did not realize the new flash came with diffusers. Anyway, your modifications seem to work very well judging from the results.

Macro is a technical subject, and it is always good to get good tips about things like lighting.

My humble set up.

Canon RP, full set of Kenko extension tubes and 50mm/1.8. I have the FD 35 f/3.5 set up to use reversed on the tubes as well. I use the focus rail on a tripod when I have subjects who are willing to stand still.