Macro DSLR Speed Challenge #20 "Open Macro"

hey 'guys'...has anyone ever seen these:

http://xshotpix.com/pr​oduct.php

I am thinking of getting one along with a softbox III and use one flash off camera. I started a thread here about it so as not to OT this thread, but it might be an interesting tool for macro and lighting when using a tripod or monopod...oh, here is the other thread:

https://photography-on-the.net …php?p=7707725#p​ost7707725

Thanks for the feed back. The muscle in my picture was attached to a wooden wharf pole with lots of barnacles surrounding it. Next time I will try to reposition more for a clearer shot.

Thanks again .... Dennis

FireDragon wrote in post #7707349
Edit: Can I get some feed back on my picture ? It was my first time out with my macro lens at the beach, was really bright clear sky that day. Plus I am not that great with PP as of yet.

FireDragon,
Your photo is beautiful (excellent for the first time use of your macro lens) however it could be improved by using a different angle. The out of focus in front of the subject doesn't help it to my eyes.

mikerault wrote in post #7707518
So...no one has mentioned my shot. Can I ask for some feedback? Nobody liked it at all?

mikerault,
Its a good macro but its too shallow and a hair overexposed which doesn't help it to my eyes.

tonylong wrote in post #7707704
I was sold on Goofy Eyes, but man when Geno's came out it threw me. Glad you could sort it out, John!

tonylong,
yea and I am glad its over

The problem was, he was on my car antenna and the wind kept rocking him back and forth and I was shooting hand held... Oh, I was also walking backwards, barefoot in the snow uphill both ways!

Mike

The best choice..I laughed when I saw those eyes!

Excellent shots all...this was a tough one John!

mikerault wrote in post #7709185
The problem was, he was on my car antenna and the wind kept rocking him back and forth and I was shooting hand held... Oh, I was also walking backwards, barefoot in the snow uphill both ways!

Mike

and I suppose the sun was in your eyes too? And you had to use a bent paperclip to fire the shutter release? hehehehehe....

Brecklundin -- that xshot looks interesting, but looking at the specs it only supports 1.25 lbs/20 ounces - a 580 EXII + batteries is 16.7 ounces - that would leave only 3.3 ounces for your softbox weight so I don't know... If you get one let us know how it works out for you (Might have to just build my own!)

Penny -- 5K now that would be a deal!! Did I mention the dents in the drivers side door and torn up right fender!

monty28428 wrote in post #7710356
Brecklundin -- that xshot looks interesting, but looking at the specs it only supports 1.25 lbs/20 ounces - a 580 EXII + batteries is 16.7 ounces - that would leave only 3.3 ounces for your softbox weight so I don't know... If you get one let us know how it works out for you (Might have to just build my own!)

Penny -- 5K now that would be a deal!! Did I mention the dents in the drivers side door and torn up right fender!

LOL, too late Monty. Got her a 2002 Honda Civic LX with 119k on it for 5900. Automatic transmission and MOST importantly, the color is not blue. Had I been willing to spend a bit more there was an 05 Sentra at a dealer that looked sweet too. But this one isn't so pretty that I'll have a hissy if she scratched it!!

Mike, I believe you on the antenna, the wind, the handheld, and the backwards. You're in Georgia so the barefoot is guaranteed, but I'm calling bull**** on the snow........Were you tempted to put him in a jar to shoot more pics later. I probably would have....and then he would have died and I would have actually been able to..............

monty28428 wrote in post #7710356
Brecklundin -- that xshot looks interesting, but looking at the specs it only supports 1.25 lbs/20 ounces - a 580 EXII + batteries is 16.7 ounces - that would leave only 3.3 ounces for your softbox weight so I don't know... If you get one let us know how it works out for you (Might have to just build my own!)

Penny -- 5K now that would be a deal!! Did I mention the dents in the drivers side door and torn up right fender!

Monty:

I am gonna get one. I have a 430 EX II and the Lumiquest Softbox II weighs in at around I bet 4oz give or take. But I also will have a Phukett Wizard RF Rx on the flash. I grabbed a PT-04 III (also called an ISHOOT IS or PT-04 GY [thought KY might be a better moniker...hehehe]) set. Nice thing about the Rx unit is there is a tripod female mount on the bottom so it plays right into the idea I have.

BTW, from what I can gather the company is in Santa Barbara so I might call them as ask if I can come for a visit and test drive. I live just up the road in Lompoc (about 50mi north of SB....around here that is a normal travel fro lunch distance as we live where the sewer meets the sea, also often called Lompton for the obvious reason a sad amount of gang and drug activity these days...and our cops do their best but it is HARD for them.) Anyway, if the company is actually in SB I will make a special drive down. I did checkout a bunch of YouTube videos of folks making their video using the silly stick thing. And I have to say I was pretty encouraged with how well it worked for them.

I have such a limited space for my normal work shots that being able to position the softbox as close as possible or from a different angle would be a HUGE bonus for me. I have room for the tripod I have now and me, anything else has to hang from the rafters so to speak. And that really limits a lot of what I can do. And worst case is it's not ideal for me and I find a friend to give it to as a gift. Or I could make my own out of a couple golf shafts. The only part I dunno how to do is the telescoping a-la Ron Popeil's Pocket Fisherman...hahahaha..​.

My 430EX II weighs exactly 15oz with a set of four Eneloops, my homemade diffuser with an aluminum dish, 3" round side mirror in the center to prevent the hot spot and 3 sheets of 1/8" micro foam as the diffuser weighs a total of 6.5 oz. I expect the Softbox III to be around 3oz and I estimate the RF receiver w/2-AA batteries to be around 3oz. So, give or take I am about 2oz over rated weight. If there is not 3x that much wiggle room the thing will be a POS and I will not keep it...that is not a lot of weight plus it can extend partially so there are a variety of ways to use it. But we will see...something fun to fiddle with at the very least.

pennypue wrote in post #7710430
LOL, too late Monty. Got her a 2002 Honda Civic LX with 119k on it for 5900. Automatic transmission and MOST importantly, the color is not blue. Had I been willing to spend a bit more there was an 05 Sentra at a dealer that looked sweet too. But this one isn't so pretty that I'll have a hissy if she scratched it!!

Mike, I believe you on the antenna, the wind, the handheld, and the backwards. You're in Georgia so the barefoot is guaranteed, but I'm calling bull**** on the snow........Were you tempted to put him in a jar to shoot more pics later. I probably would have....and then he would have died and I would have actually been able to..............

A Honda Civic....yaaaaaawn...i​s she 40 with many cats or 18? snickersnicker...does it come with that vintage scent of Avon "To a Wild Rose"? hehehehe...seriously nice vehicle for her...

I can see it being usefull at times --I've got a broken tripod and think I could use the one leg that's not broken and try it to modify it a bit.

brecklundin wrote in post #7710558
A Honda Civic....yaaaaaawn...i​s she 40 with many cats or 18? snickersnicker...does it come with that vintage scent of Avon "To a Wild Rose"? hehehehe...seriously nice vehicle for her...

:pNooo, I'm 45, but she's more mature than I am! (Had a Saab 9-3 convertible but got too many speeding tickets.)

Now maybe I can get my 100-400mm lens.

Wow, glad you all enjoyed the photo. I was astounded when I saw it on my monitor.

Ok then, give me a couple of hours while I think up a plan on "The Next Challenge"

Good photos everyone.

Oh and John_B, dont ya just hate it when you cant participate?

Ok, let me go think...............

BASmith wrote in post #7711464
Oh and John_B, dont ya just hate it when you cant participate?

BASmith,
YES!!! Thankfully its just for a week

The new Macro DSLR Speed Challenge #21 "Spiders" is now running <-- click to see