MT-24EX - First decent results

Hi guys,

Been gone for awhile as I was waiting for my long awaited flash. I was actually supposed to just get the 430EX but opened the box to find an even more pleasant suprise...Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, baby!

Took a little while to get adjusted to flash, especially this beauty, but I think I'm starting to 'get the picture' (pun intended).

Here's a few I'd like C&C on. I havent actually got the manual for the camera, so anything you see that needs adjusting -- please let me know.

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

Good series of shots.
Some of them show some overexposure so you may need to play with FEC on the camera or the flash. Suspect you will also need to find some way of adding a diffuser to the flash heads to make the light a bit less harsh- just kitchen paper towel over the head fixed with an elastic band should work.
Think most people with these also vary the power ratio between the heads (2:1 to 4:1) to prevent getting the lighting to even but doing as you did in the last shot with the heads pointing in different directions would have a similar effect.

Brian V.

Thanks for the feedback Brian, much appretiated.

I've got a feeling my monitor settings are custom set a bit 'off' because I've noticed a lot of pictures that look properly exposed on my computer seem to be overexposed according to others I've sent it to.

Wouldn't happen to know how I can set my monitor to the correct/default settings? I'll do some testing and reading up.

Cheers,

Jiva

Not sure it's your monitor as having a quick look in PS at one of the pics (#4)it really is overexposed in some areas. The other 3 shots look perhaps a little bit too contrasty. Without getting into those monitor calibration kits, some monitors come with software to help calibrate them a bit (my Samsung LCD did) or you always try using adobe gamma I think it's called. But not sure the best way isn't just to look at a selection of other peoples shots on your monitor and see if they tend to look too bright or too dark or whatever- unlikely everyone has their monitor set up wrongly.

brian V.

very nice serie.
I think the pics are also a little oversharpened.

Ah, I see what you mean now. The areas with a more whiter/lighter shade look quite harsh. I'll use your advice on diffusing and also taking down the FEC a bit. Thanks again Brian.

Thanks for the feedback yb98. I agree I think I over did the USM sharpening in photoshop, I'll try and fix that up.

Great feedback guys, keep 'em coming.

i kinda like them dark like that on the second one. not sure about the first couldn't tell what it was but i'm new at this.

Bill

Thanks Bill. I too prefer that dark sort of atmosphere in my pictures.

I quickly went out in hopes of taking a picture following the tips Brian gave me...unfortunately it's already getting dark and not many interesting insects out and about.

Managed to find this Dolichopodid fly (I think) having a rest.
Perhaps a bit underexposed now, eh?

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

Nice shots but a definite case of the over sharpening. Shame because the little bee is a superb shot.

Good shot Jiva - doesn't look underexposed to me
Brian V.

Nice shots! The last one is not underexposed (in my opinion). My advice is to calibrate your monitor with a hardware calibration tool. I use a Spyder 2 to get the most out of my old CRT (I need a new EIZO!). But to begin with you can also use a software solution:

Quickgamma
(Freeware, english/german)

I also just started Macro this year (I get my Tokina 100mm in March/April this year). The fine people and fotos in this forum helped a lot.

Have a look at some of my first macros: I love Macro

Thanks Attic. Luckily I always keep the original TIF's unedited for the decent shots. I admit I was a bit trigger happy with the sharpening... I guess I'm obsessed with detail in these little things.

I uploaded each of the files (to flickr) again without the over sharpening. Appretiate the C&C.

Hey, cheers for that InZone. For now I'll try out the software you linked me to, and perhaps invest in some hardware calibration tool once I get into printing.

@Brian - Woot!

Thanks again everyone for all the help!

Jiva 100% much better. I was right, that little bee is a cracker.

great shot

Much better this time! well done. I shoot in Raw format, and I use Raw shooter essentials for conversion. To reduce the harsh lighting caused by the flash I adjust the "Highlight contrast" in Raw shooter, sometimes I also adjust the Exposure comp. in raw shooter as well, but I find the highlight contrast to be a great tool as it doesnt darken the overall picture like EC does, just the bright areas. Hope this helps.