updated my equipment with the addition of a stool, clarity is much improved

[JBW]

[Saorsa]

I just checked the exif for that image. That is very impressive for a 1/20 exposure.

[JBW]

I just checked the exif for that image. That is very impressive for a 1/20 exposure.

I do like natural light and a stool really helps, especially with a bamboo stick across the knees to rest my arms on.

[Stagecoach]

Very nice Brian, it looks like he's been gold leafed.

The stool will be a big help as it assists you to stay steady and you can rest your elbows/arms on your knees. Has this been cropped from the original and if so by what percentage?

Grahame

[JBW]

Very nice Brian, it looks like he's been gold leafed.

The stool will be a big help as it assists you to stay steady and you can rest your elbows/arms on your knees. Has this been cropped from the original and if so by what percentage?

Grahame

I'm not sure of the percentage but here is the original. I would love to be able to fill my screen and not need to crop but all things considered I am a happy camper.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[Saorsa]

Looking around, I found that there is an adapter for your S4200 that will allow the use of achromat lenses. Here is a link to one vendor but I am sure there are others.

I have used a tube like this with a Nikon P7100 to allow the use of the Raynox 150 and 250 two element achromats. It is shown on the left here.



On the camera, it looks like this.



Here are a couple of shots with the Raynox. Since it's mounting frame allows for any number of sizes to be accomodated without change, they may be from various cameras.

[FrankMi]

Nice detail and I really like the way the pattern in the grasshopper is mimicked in the leaves and shadows! Well balanced and pleasing to look at Brian.

[Brownbear]

Hi Brian,

I've added this one to my list of favourites of your images. Gorgeous colour, detail and exposure. Lovely composition.

[Dave Humphries]

That is quite a crop, but the detail on the first image is impressive Brian.

Well done,

[JBW]

That is quite a crop, but the detail on the first image is impressive Brian.

Well done,

It did turn out well. With my setup the only way to get that type of detail is to get in close and crop mercilessly.
B,

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

I've added this one to my list of favourites of your images. Gorgeous colour, detail and exposure. Lovely composition.

thank you.
B

[JBW]

Looking around, I found that there is an adapter for your S4200 that will allow the use of achromat lenses. Here is a link to one vendor but I am sure there are others.

I have used a tube like this with a Nikon P7100 to allow the use of the Raynox 150 and 250 two element achromats. It is shown on the left here.



On the camera, it looks like this.



Here are a couple of shots with the Raynox. Since it's mounting frame allows for any number of sizes to be accomodated without change, they may be from various cameras.

Thanks for the link i will look into it.

[flashback]

Brian,

You've made an impressive journey from your first post, congratulations.
This particular image is excellent and I agree, it looks like the fellow has been gold leafed. I foresee many more amazing images to come. Kind of intimidating to imagine what you will produce should you acquire more macro-oriented equipment. I also suspect, given your philosophical bent(s) that you will re-imagine macro photography. Can't wait....

[JBW]

Brian,

You've made an impressive journey from your first post, congratulations.
This particular image is excellent and I agree, it looks like the fellow has been gold leafed. I foresee many more amazing images to come. Kind of intimidating to imagine what you will produce should you acquire more macro-oriented equipment. I also suspect, given your philosophical bent(s) that you will re-imagine macro photography. Can't wait....

What can I say other than thank you.

[jcuknz]

And I thought you were using that stick as a monopod

A point about Saorsa"s P7100 ... it is only 200mm at full zoom so he needs the Raynox which I believe is about a 4 dioptre though there are a number of models. With your 576mm you have nearly three times the reach and a two dioptre will be ample.
This is as I have found with my change to MFT that with only 280mm zoom I need a four dioptre to get what the 2D does for me on my bridge camera with its 432mm reach. The figures do not match up but the 4D 'when' I get it will do a wee bit better than the 2D on my FZ50 I think.
Meanwhile I play with extension tubes .....
But did have a play adding the 50mm prime lense [Takumar] on front of the FZ50 and at full zoom I got a 5mm scale filling the sensor but from very close..... 50mm = 20 dioptres But I needed three hands to a] hold the lens in place b] adjust the lock on the tripod centre column c] work the handle to raise and lower to find focus ..... awkward
My homemade lens holder is hiding from me and I am not sure it would work with the FZ50 as the Nikon 5700 tripod hole is not in line with the lens.
But if you had a docile unafraid beastie that will to let you come to about 4 or 5 cm it would give you a bug-eye

a dioptre is 1000mm so 1000/50=20 etc etc If a lens will focus to 2cm that is 1000/20=50 dioptre adding even a four dioptre means you can focus to 50+4= 54 and 1000/54 = 18.4 coming in closer 1.6mm will not give you a much bigger picture
That is 1/16th inch for imperial thinking people. ,,,,, 50+20=70 1000/70=14.29mm

[deetheturk]

Nice image B,well done bud!

[JBW]

Nice image B,well done bud!

a truly photogenic model is a big plus!