PatheticSquid's Macro-Mania

[patheticsquid]

I am quite new to photography, having picked up my first DSLR to shoot macro shots for another hobby a couple years ago. I am always looking for tips to improve my macro shots.

My friend who worked for Olympus gave me an E-410, a 35mm macro lens, and use of a 50mm macro and 105mm macro. After a few shots of the tank with his help, I was hooked.

I am currently using a Canon T2i and am mostly using a 100mm 2.8 USM macro for these pictures. I also recently picked up the Sigma 150mm 2.8 macro.

I use a heavy duty tripod, a remote shutter and a macrometric two-way adjustment plate for focus. I also occasionally make use of an LED ring flash and an automatic extension tube set.

 

[patheticsquid]

 

[patheticsquid]

 

[noy]

nice stuff!

 

[patheticsquid]

Started shooting manual after taking some courses, I really like having so much control over how my shots come out.

 

[patheticsquid]

 

[patheticsquid]

 

[patheticsquid]

This mushroom is half the size of a dime. This a 5x magnified shot of its mouth. Look at all the bugs crawling!

 

[patheticsquid]

 

[jroovers]

Some beautiful shots! Especially like the BTAs and the SPS.

What is an "automatic" extension tube set? Are you using that with the 100 2.8?

 

[patheticsquid]

Some beautiful shots! Especially like the BTAs and the SPS.

What is an "automatic" extension tube set? Are you using that with the 100 2.8?

Thanks!
An automatic extension tube is one that has electrical contacts to maintain communication between the lens and the camera. This allows you to shoot with automatic aperture.

Actually I have changed my gear quite a bit very quickly to get to where I wanted. I am currently using a Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro and a Canon MP-E 65mm Macro f/2.8 1x-5x. I use a Manfrotto 410 geared head and a 2 way focus rail to take my shots.

 

[jroovers]

Thanks!
An automatic extension tube is one that has electrical contacts to maintain communication between the lens and the camera. This allows you to shoot with automatic aperture.

Gotcha.

Actually I have changed my gear quite a bit very quickly to get to where I wanted. I am currently using a Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro and a Canon MP-E 65mm Macro f/2.8 1x-5x. I use a Manfrotto 410 geared head and a 2 way focus rail to take my shots.

Which shots were with the MP-E? Would be curious to hear more of your experiences using this lens... I've read it isn't the easiest thing to use (i.e. rails mandatory).

 

[patheticsquid]

I was taught to shoot macro as if I was using the 65mm, meaning I always focused first then moved the camera position to achieve the shot I want. This probably made it significantly easier for me to shoot with the MP-E. I have only had it for a week and done a few shoots with it, so I can only imagine it would get better. It is tricky to use, and I would not recommend it to anyone who hasn't done a fair bit of dedicated macro shooting.

These are all shot on the MP-E 65mm Macro:



1x (cropped)

Same mushroom 5x


1x

~3x

 

[patheticsquid]

In case anyone is wondering what lenses I am using, these are the macro lenses I have shot with on this thread.

Lenses:
4/3 Olympus 35mm macro f/3.5
4/3 Olympus Sigma 105 macro f/2.8
Canon MPE 65mm macro f/2.8
Canon 100mm macro usm f/2.8
Canon Sigma 150mm macro hsm f/f2.8
m4/3 Olympus 60mm macro f/2.8

Bodies:
Olympus E-410
Canon T2i
Olympus E-M1

 

[patheticsquid]

 

[patheticsquid]

 

[patheticsquid]

 

[wlst]

Wow! amazing colors

 

[latinreefer]

Great Stuff a Pleasure to see Great pics !

 

[mitchb]

And I was happy with the macros I was getting from my cell phone. Amazing photos make me want to take up Phtograpghy!