The bugs are coming out...(macro)

03/16/2007 10:49:39 PM · #1

Just starting to learn my Canon 180mm f/3.5L macro. Right now I'm finding really slow moving bugs and moving them onto some foamcore to practice my manual focus. Sometimes I use the tripod (much easier if the bug holds still), sometimes I try handheld. The spider below is 3-5mm and was done with a tripod. The shield bug is much larger (10-15mm) and was done handheld.

I'm excited for when the garden spiders will come out and start spinning webs. I found some ladybugs as well today, but don't have a shot for you.

ralph

Nikon Z9

03/16/2007 11:24:05 PM · #2

bahh..
weather said 12" (30cm) of snow the next 24hrs ...
:(

FireBird

03/17/2007 03:49:22 AM · #3

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I found some ladybugs as well today, but don't have a shot for you.

It could be that they quickly spotted you and hid so they could extensively plan your demise for your prior bugicidal crimes. LOL

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

03/18/2007 03:11:08 PM · #4

Hey, here's another little guy I found on my window. I don't typically have a fondness for spiders, but through the macro, the ones with all the eyes just look sorta friendly.

David Ey

Nikon D80

03/18/2007 03:21:57 PM · #5

a bit ot but for a different solid color background for these small critters pick up some paint color samples from your local home depot.
They are just the right size for the macros.

pamelasue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/18/2007 03:25:26 PM · #6

great suggestion ... hadn't thought to try paint samples ... (heading to Home Depot anyway, so that'll go on my 'list')

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

03/18/2007 03:40:50 PM · #7

Hi Doc, yep the bugs are coming. Found this little beast (1.5mm long) yesterday and put him in front of the Canon MPE-65 at 5x magnification.

Can't wait for the main 'infestation' ;-)

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

03/18/2007 03:41:11 PM · #8

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Hey, here's another little guy I found on my window. I don't typically have a fondness for spiders, but through the macro, the ones with all the eyes just look sorta friendly.

Wow, looks like the same species as this little guy:

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/18/2007 03:57:47 PM · #9

those are great shots guys. One thing that was great to "discover" by taking the macro is that the spider's jaws were irridescent green. Most cool.

The shot isn't as great because it's an extreme crop and has some noise issues, but it does show off those chompers.

FireBird

03/18/2007 07:23:52 PM · #10

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

those are great shots guys. One thing that was great to "discover" by taking the macro is that the spider's jaws were irridescent green. Most cool.

The shot isn't as great because it's an extreme crop and has some noise issues, but it does show off those chompers.

Are you using MF most of the time?

renefunk

Canon EOS-5D

03/18/2007 07:26:52 PM · #11

i just purchased my 100m 2.8 macro for canon in the black market!
lets do this kind of shots! yeah!

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

03/18/2007 07:30:59 PM · #12

Originally posted by fir3bird:

Are you using MF most of the time?

I have found that I am. It isn't that AF doesn't work, but I've just been finding that MF works well (and so I haven't experimented with AF). On a tripod it allows you to get the exact plane you want and for handheld it really matters most that your physical drifting closer and farther is controlled as much as possible. I think it's probably best to use MF handheld and burst mode hoping that when you take the shot one of the three or four frames will be in the plane you want it.

One a tripod I find that I like to have the shutter release in my left hand and focus with my right hand. That allows me to snap a picture without moving my hand far from the focus ring (I do let go so as not to shake it at all).

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

03/18/2007 07:37:26 PM · #13

Got a bounce card (like a lumiquest or similar?)and perhaps that short Canon hotshoe cord? If you do, try shooting handheld with the camera in your right hand and the flash in the left, putting the flash/bounce card about a foot from the subject and about 45Â° from the camera. You'll get nice soft shadows, be able to shoot handheld at f/16 or so, and no worries about camera shake!
Even better, mount the flash on a bracket to camera left, and now you've got both hands free again to shoot.

Message edited by author 2007-03-18 19:38:18.

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

03/18/2007 09:00:57 PM · #14

Originally posted by kirbic:

I'm trying to picture this. Recall I'm shooting with the 180mm lens. I'm not sure I could handhold that with one hand on the camera body (so as to press the button) let alone hold it still.

I do like the idea of a bounce card though. I'll have to goof with that perhaps in a tripod setup. A ring flash would be cool, but the funds are low after going with the 180 vs. the 100.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/18/2007 09:16:57 PM · #15

When I was shooting dragonflies last spring I used a monopod with pistol grip It allowed me to move around quite a bit while still getting that tripod stability.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

03/18/2007 09:23:26 PM · #16

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I'm trying to picture this. Recall I'm shooting with the 180mm lens. I'm not sure I could handhold that with one hand on the camera body (so as to press the button) let alone hold it still.

Yep, difficult, that's true. I do it all the time with the 100mm, but with the 180 it's nearly twice as difficult. A bracket-mounted flash would be ideal, but you could very likely get by with camera-mounted flash and a large bounce card.

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I do like the idea of a bounce card though. I'll have to goof with that perhaps in a tripod setup. A ring flash would be cool, but the funds are low after going with the 180 vs. the 100.

A ring flash gives very flat, shadow-free lighting. I much prefer *some* shadow, and somewhat directional light. A standard flash with bounce card works remarkably well.