Validation

[vbsaltydog]

Can anyone offer info on this ( http://photocritic.org/macro-photography-on-a-budget ) concept/design as far as:

Will it work for coral shots?

How far can the object be from the barrel end and still achieve focused macro?

What is the cheapest dslr body/lens that this can be done with?

What is the cost of this setup (cheapest equipment that will work) vs. a dslr and proper macro lens?

Thank you.

 

[Octoshark]

lol, does that really work!? Thats pretty funny if it works

 

[BlueCorn]

Can anyone offer info on this ( http://photocritic.org/macro-photography-on-a-budget ) concept/design as far as:

Will it work for coral shots?

How far can the object be from the barrel end and still achieve focused macro?

What is the cheapest dslr body/lens that this can be done with?

What is the cost of this setup (cheapest equipment that will work) vs. a dslr and proper macro lens?

Thank you.

They're basically making a big extension tube. It wouldn't be very helpful for aquarium work as the working distance is very close; an inch or so.

 

[vbsaltydog]

You are saying that the working distance on such a setup cannot exceed an inch or so?

 

[BlueCorn]

Yes. It's probably closer then that actually.

 

[vbsaltydog]

If you have the ability to have the object (coral) on a frag rack just on the inside of the tank and the camera barrel just on the outside of the tank, would such a setup work to get super tight in-focus shots like those reported in the article?

The reason that I ask is that I have bought nice cameras (Canon G10 among others) for shooting my corals and it did not yield the super tight macros that i want and it sat aroung 99% of the time since I do not want to take pictures other than those of the coral so I cant justify the cost of a high end camera and lenses just for a few shots here and there.

I am looking for the least expensive way to get the few shots that I need every few months and I can move the corals closer to the lens vs. buying a $2k camera to make up for the working distance.

Thanks for the info.

 

[BlueCorn]

Even if you're able to handle the working distance, i.e. the coral leaning against the glass, the depth of field (how much of the object is in focus) is tiny.

The G10 is a capable camera. You should be able to get a closeup "lens" (diopter) that will thread into the front of the lens. That'd be much more useful.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=158&N=4289364514+4294955252

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=619928

 

[vbsaltydog]

I sold the G10 because I could not get the tight macros that I wanted but I might buy another tomorrow if the fixed lense issue can be modified.

If you read the article that I sent, after reading the comments it appears they reversed the lense in combination with the extension tube. Does this make the working distance issue easier to overcome?

 

[BlueCorn]

Nope. Makes it worse.

I built a very similar lens, so I go have first hand experience. It's fun to play with but it's very specialized.


http://www.binaryemulsion.com/wordpress/2009/01/22/getting-closer/

 

[vbsaltydog]

It turned out that the reason my macros were bad with my G10 was that my tank is a bowfront and the curved glass was distorting my photos. I thought perhaps the hack from the pringles can might be a better option given my glass but I guess its back to the G10 and perhaps a 10 gallon lightbox tank for photography. Thats a pain though. Ehhh.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[Recty]

It turned out that the reason my macros were bad with my G10 was that my tank is a bowfront and the curved glass was distorting my photos. I thought perhaps the hack from the pringles can might be a better option given my glass but I guess its back to the G10 and perhaps a 10 gallon lightbox tank for photography. Thats a pain though. Ehhh.

Thanks for the insight.

You could always buy an underwater housing for your G10 and save yourself having to move corals to a special tank just for shooting.

 

[vbsaltydog]

I thought of that but I cant fit in my aquarium so how would I focus the camera it is underwater and I am not?

 

[Recty]

I thought of that but I cant fit in my aquarium so how would I focus the camera it is underwater and I am not?

You dont have to get in the aquarium... just stick your hands into it.

 

[Misled]

You dont have to get in the aquarium... just stick your hands into it.

 

[Recty]

I know, it's almost signature worthy if you ask me.

 

[vbsaltydog]

funny but no, I understand that the camera can be lowered into the water with your hands but if your eyes are above the water line then you can't see the viewport so you cant focus the camera on the corals rendering the underwater case useless as a solution.

 

[Recty]

funny but no, I understand that the camera can be lowered into the water with your hands but if your eyes are above the water line then you can't see the viewport so you cant focus the camera on the corals rendering the underwater case useless as a solution.

The G10 autofocuses, which should work just fine without having to swim with the fish.

Stick your arms in there, point at the coral you want, and just take 5-10 shots at different angles with autofocus on. Pull the camera out, review your shots... you'll know if you got the shot you want.

I think this is a much easier/better solution that moving corals to another tank just for taking a picture, plus you wont have to deal at all with dirty glass or refraction. You just wont have as much control over each shot since you wont be looking through the viewfinder but with practice you'll be able to do it easily.

It isnt as if you're wasting film, you can take shots to your hearts content and just keep the one that focused exactly how you wanted.

 

[vbsaltydog]

While not ideal, it is a workable solution.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Recty]

While not ideal, it is a workable solution

Well put I'm just thinking if it was me, I'd rather stick my arms in the tank and take 20 shots than have to move corals to a new tank, let them settle in, then take pictures from outside. I never liked moving my corals much.