Help from macro experts

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.

how about a remote shutter switch and some tubes.

Bill

kenko tubes

Practice. Lots of it!

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.

Attic wrote in post #3850480
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.

macro junkie wrote in post #3884533
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.....

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

eccles wrote in post #3850469
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

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

Dave

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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)

EMarkM wrote in post #3933851
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...

EMarkM wrote in post #3933851
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)...

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Dalantech wrote in post #3934265
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!

EMarkM wrote in post #3934341
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!

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.

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.