Macro work

[Dave A]

I haven't used my Nikon R1C1 flash kit much so still plenty of work to do to get any kind of consistency. Shot with Nikon 85mm macro lens and 20mm extension tube. I'm not happy with the sharpness but more practice should help. It is fun though to shoot a lot of images then to see what was captured.

Dave

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#3



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#5

[billtils]

Dave

Could you post the exposure data (aperture, shutter speed and ISO) please? It may be that you expecting too much and not yet totally familiar with the depth of field issues in macros. For example, the top 2 ants in #3 and the top one in #4 are about as good as you'll get in a single shot; the OoF critters are more than likely simply outside of the very narrow field that would come from 85mm macro lens + 20mm extension tube.

EDIT: Also are you using a FF or crop body? I wonder if you really need the 20mm tube?

[Dave A]

Dave

Could you post the exposure data (aperture, shutter speed and ISO) please? It may be that you expecting too much and not yet totally familiar with the depth of field issues in macros. For example, the top 2 ants in #3 and the top one in #4 are about as good as you'll get in a single shot; the OoF critters are more than likely simply outside of the very narrow field that would come from 85mm macro lens + 20mm extension tube.

EDIT: Also are you using a FF or crop body? I wonder if you really need the 20mm tube?

Bill I was using F18, 1/60, ISO 320. I do realize that the DOF is very thin with the setup I was using but I was expecting a little better. I may try a smaller extension tube and F22 next time. Also I'm far from having a steady hand. I do have a mono pod that I may try and of course I have a tripod but tough to use in a garden.

Dave

[billtils]

Bill I was using F18, 1/60, ISO 320. I do realize that the DOF is very thin with the setup I was using but I was expecting a little better. I may try a smaller extension tube and F22 next time. Also I'm far from having a steady hand. I do have a mono pod that I may try and of course I have a tripod but tough to use in a garden.

Dave

Hi Dave

Yes, I expected that you knew all the theory, and were simply disappointed with the practice .

Your insect shots are about as good as could be expected for field work, and there's not a lot can be done - there's a limit to how far you can go with increasing DoF by reducing the aperture before the law of diminishing returns cuts in and the fall-off in image quality counters the increase in DoF.

Not sure how many pixels you have to play with with the 7200 but you could try getting a bit further away and cropping more.

The first image is different as it (the flower element) is static (unless there was a breeze)- you may well have been able to fire off a series of shots with the focus varying from front edge to rear edge and using focus stacking software.

[Dave A]

Thank you Bill for your support and comments.

Dave

[James G]

Dave, I'd agree with Bill, field conditions particularly even the slightest breeze put limitations on what can be 'consistently' achieved. That said, your images look excellent to me

I always use a (lightweight) monopod that I carry attached to the camera. I have also found that if I use the monopod to ground the camera I can often extend the camera closer to the subject without having to lean in (to undergrowth) so far. I find that as the eyepiece moves away from me that I get a narrower view, but am better able to 'see' sharpness. More to the point It means I am in a much more comfortable posture and so more able to keep steady.
I know this sounds a bit odd, but try it in the garden on a flower or similar subject and hopefully you will see what I mean.

[Dave A]

Dave, I'd agree with Bill, field conditions particularly even the slightest breeze put limitations on what can be 'consistently' achieved. That said, your images look excellent to me

I always use a (lightweight) monopod that I carry attached to the camera. I have also found that if I use the monopod to ground the camera I can often extend the camera closer to the subject without having to lean in (to undergrowth) so far. I find that as the eyepiece moves away from me that I get a narrower view, but am better able to 'see' sharpness. More to the point It means I am in a much more comfortable posture and so more able to keep steady.
I know this sounds a bit odd, but try it in the garden on a flower or similar subject and hopefully you will see what I mean.

Thank you James, I will try this. I will also just go with the macro lens and R1C1 flash kit for now and if/when mt results improve I can try adding some extension tubes.

Dave

Dave

[Shadowman]

The flash helps somewhat but you also need to increase shutter speed especially for the winged insects. Nice efforts.