New Softbox
May 21, 2014 21:31:16 #
Hi folks,
Well, I finally decided to start getting serious about shooting macro after having my Tokina 100mm for about a year. So I got an articulating ball head mount and a softbox for my SB-600. Here is a pic of my new rig and a couple of test shots I took today. I know I need to work on my focusing techniques, but I love the light from the softbox.
Well, I finally decided to start getting serious about shooting macro after having my Tokina 100mm for about a year. So I got an articulating ball head mount and a softbox for my SB-600. Here is a pic of my new rig and a couple of test shots I took today. I know I need to work on my focusing techniques, but I love the light from the softbox.
May 21, 2014 23:19:35 #
Nice set-up. Quite similar to my own.
A few suggestions:
1.) Look INSIDE softbox to find a white cloth strip "Velcro'd" to one side. Unzip, and stretch cloth to otherside of softbox to another Velcro patch;
2.) Pull-out & drop-down plastic diffuser, located just above speedlight lens;
3.) Set speedlight to Manual. You can control subject exposure by adjusting speedlight to 1/8, or 1/4, or 1/2 or 1/1 (full power).
4.) Set camera to Manual mode; ISO 200; 1/200-sec at f/16. These settings rarely change.
A few suggestions:
1.) Look INSIDE softbox to find a white cloth strip "Velcro'd" to one side. Unzip, and stretch cloth to otherside of softbox to another Velcro patch;
2.) Pull-out & drop-down plastic diffuser, located just above speedlight lens;
3.) Set speedlight to Manual. You can control subject exposure by adjusting speedlight to 1/8, or 1/4, or 1/2 or 1/1 (full power).
4.) Set camera to Manual mode; ISO 200; 1/200-sec at f/16. These settings rarely change.
May 21, 2014 23:38:56 #
Thanks, I knew about the Plastic diffuser but hadn't noticed the cloth strip until you pointed it out. The above shots were done at f/8, 1/500-sec, ISO 200. I had flash on manual but don't remember what power setting. I had seen where you had posted the standard settings before but I couldn't remember what they were.
May 21, 2014 23:41:26 #
Erik_H wrote:
Your camera will not synchronize with your speedlight at 1/500-sec shutter duration. Your D7000 will synch at 1/250-sec or longer.The above shots were done at f/8, 1/500-sec, ISO 200.
May 22, 2014 00:07:53 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
I thought about that. I hadn't realized I had it up that high until after the fact and wondered why they still came out.Your camera will not synchronize with your speedlight at 1/500-sec shutter duration. Your D7000 will synch at 1/250-sec or longer.
May 22, 2014 00:17:05 #
Also, when you post macro-photographs, check the box labeled (store original), so we can enlarge to appreciate Exif info, resolution, & detail.
May 22, 2014 00:22:44 #
I checked store original on the two macros, but not on the one of the setup (didn't think that one would matter) I did however forget that I had Lightroom set up to exclude exif data when exporting. I have since fixed that.
May 22, 2014 00:30:54 #
Looks good Eric. Take it easy on the articulating arm. I have managed to strip out from over tightening. I dig the vintage flash bracket, much better then the stuff produced today.
May 22, 2014 00:34:41 #
Erik_H wrote:
Then you cropped both macro images significantly, or you captured in low res JPG (a camera menu setting). You need to shoot in raw for maximum data capture, or raw + high JPG. Either way, high rez JPG is needed for posting on UHH.I checked store original on the two macros. I did however forget that I had Lightroom set up to exclude exif data when exporting.
May 22, 2014 00:50:18 #
They were both shot raw, no crop, the only pp was slight sharpening then exported from Lightroom as JPEG 100% quality.
May 22, 2014 01:40:35 #
To negate the "deflation" look of our diffusers, Douglass and I modified our softboxes with black carbon fiber rods. I only have shots of my proto type using yellow rods (photo 1). We have since opted for 1-mm carbon fiber rods. Douglass ran all four of his rods long ways, which works very well (photos 2 & 3).
Prototype V1.1
(Download)
Top & side panel with black carbon rod inserts
Close-up of side panel
View of softbox collapse WITHOUT carbon fiber rods in place
May 22, 2014 02:15:55 #
Erik_H wrote:
Now I can download and nicely enlarge both photos. I could not do that earlier. Definitely high rez now.They were both shot raw, no crop, the only pp was slight sharpening then exported from Lightroom as JPEG 100% quality.
May 22, 2014 08:10:15 #
A-PeeR wrote:
Just curious, where did you purchase this vintage flash bracket?I dig the vintage flash bracket, much better then the stuff produced today.
May 22, 2014 08:15:46 #
Flyextreme wrote:
Bill & Douglass - I have the same softbox and would like to modify it the same way you have here. I have two questions: Where did you purchase the carbon rods and how long are they. Also, it appears that you just cut two holes in each section of the softbox and inserted the rods through the wholes, is that correct.To negate the "deflation" look of our diffusers, Douglass and I modified our softboxes with black carbon fiber rods. I only have shots of my proto type using yellow rods (photo 1). We have since opted for 1-mm carbon fiber rods. Douglass ran all four of his rods long ways, which works very well (photos 2 & 3).
May 22, 2014 09:58:33 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Douglass - what is the purpose of the Velco strip inside of the soft box?1.) Look INSIDE softbox to find a white cloth strip "Velcro'd" to one side. Unzip, and stretch cloth to otherside of softbox to another Velcro patch;
Also, are you still using the same old method (the black rods ) to keep the soft box from collapsing ?
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