Marine invertebrates

[Mr31415]

These are all from my reef aquarium.


_22P0231.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Trochus snail radula


_22P0299.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Mexican hermit


_22P0306.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Scarlett leg hermit


_22P0376.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Lettuce nudibranch


_22P0386.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Lettuce nudibranch


_22P0465.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Lettuce nudibranch


_22P0831.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Fireworm

 

[LinkinReef]

Those are sick! Wish I could take pictures like that!

What camera are you using?

 

[Mr31415]

Thanks. Those were taken with a Canon 1DX.

 

[snorvich]

Love them all but exceptionally turned on by the lettuce nudibranch images.

 

[Misled]

Nice stuff. I like the nudi too but the fireworm is sweet!!!

 

[snorvich]

Nice stuff. I like the nudi too but the fireworm is sweet!!!

Yes, it is. Exceptional detail.

 

[Reef Bass]

Very well done. I'm liking the head on red hermit and head on nudi.

I think the little tubules at the base of the "hairs" of the fireworm (bristleworm?) are an excellent detail. They remind me of acontia on acros. I wonder what their purpose is? They seem too fine and soft to help with locomotion.

 

[jroovers]

Unreal! They are all fantastic.

Those were taken with a Canon 1DX.

You have a 1DX? :eek1: Jealous, Jealous, Jealous!!!

 

[Mr31415]

Very well done. I'm liking the head on red hermit and head on nudi.

I think the little tubules at the base of the "hairs" of the fireworm (bristleworm?) are an excellent detail. They remind me of acontia on acros. I wonder what their purpose is? They seem too fine and soft to help with locomotion.

Thanks. Maybe a sensory organ? It surely was interesting to note that detail because it is not visible to (my) naked eye.

 

[Reef Bass]

Thanks. Maybe a sensory organ? It surely was interesting to note that detail because it is not visible to (my) naked eye.

Sensory organ would be a good guess. Maybe more "chemo sensors" for detecting proximal food than say whiskers on a cat as physical sensors for feeling its way around (which I think the hairs / bristles would be excellent for, in addition to defense). Could be that the hairs brushing against things cause small amounts of whatever to be dispersed which are then analyzed / detected by the tubules. They could suggest to the worm to move in the direction of the segment reporting the greatest concentration of yummy stuff.

Another guess would be some sort of respiratory function.

 

[Lenovo789]

I love your images they are amazing! I shoot with a 5D Mark II and I have been looking to get an actual macro lens to upgrade my standard 24-70 2.8 L! I have been studying up on lenses and am really looking to see people's first hand experience with them in regards to aquarium photography which will be my primary use for the lens.

My question is what lens do you use with the 1DX? I am looking to invest and I love your work! I'm curious because I'm fairly new to this type of photography and I really love your work! Would you be so kind as to maybe tell us your meta for the shots?

Again great work!

 

[RazorRC]

That macro lens would be the MP65, the only one that can do 5x macro. I almost bought it but got the 100 2.8L instead. Still thinking about picking it up though.

 

[Mr31415]

I love your images they are amazing! I shoot with a 5D Mark II and I have been looking to get an actual macro lens to upgrade my standard 24-70 2.8 L! I have been studying up on lenses and am really looking to see people's first hand experience with them in regards to aquarium photography which will be my primary use for the lens.

My question is what lens do you use with the 1DX? I am looking to invest and I love your work! I'm curious because I'm fairly new to this type of photography and I really love your work! Would you be so kind as to maybe tell us your meta for the shots?

Again great work!

Thanks for the kind words. A Canon 5DII is a great camera. The Canon 100mm F2.8 lens is also a great lens and cheap. The L (IS) version is slightly better and IS helps a bit, but in terms of performance vs cost I'd say the base Canon 100mm F2.8 macro lens is the better choice.

Alternatively look at the new Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG lens (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/105mm-f28-ex-dg-os-hsm-macro). It is about $550 depending on where you buy, and really seems sweet - and comes with IS. Just keep in mind IS loose a lot of its effectiveness at true macro focusing ranges - it helps maybe with 1-2 stops.

I also shoot with a MP-E 65 lens, which is manual focus only. It is a very good lens but due to its nature, a very restricted lens - it cannot focus less than 1:1 for instance. That is great for true macro photography up to 5:1.

In terms of the EXIF info... Nothing really too interesting there. Some shots were natural light, some with flash. Those with flash were at F9 or so. Camera was in manual at 1/200 I think.

 

[ojonas81]

Amazing captures. Have the Canon 100mm L IS myself and very happy with it. Have been looking at the MP-E 65 as well but not been able to pull the trigger just yet. Love macro photography.

 

[noy]

I also shoot with a MP-E 65 lens, which is manual focus only. It is a very good lens but due to its nature, a very restricted lens - it cannot focus less than 1:1 for instance. That is great for true macro photography up to 5:1.

These are incredible shots with amazing detail.

I was wondering if you could talk about working with the MP-E 65. I have been agonizing over getting this lens but have concerns about how useful it will be given its restrictive working distance. That is, can you use this lens for objects that are not crawling on or right near the glass.

What have you found to be the maximum working distance for this lens? What other challenges are there in using the lens?

 

[Mr31415]

I was wondering if you could talk about working with the MP-E 65. I have been agonizing over getting this lens but have concerns about how useful it will be given its restrictive working distance. That is, can you use this lens for objects that are not crawling on or right near the glass.

What have you found to be the maximum working distance for this lens? What other challenges are there in using the lens?

In a reef aquarium the MP-E 65 has limited use. You are correct - if it is not within a couple of inches or so from the glass you won't get the shot. I use it a lot when I have an organism out of the tank - maybe while acclimating etc. That way I have more control over the positioning of my subject.

When working at 1:1 you get about 4". At 5:1 it is 1.6".