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Spider on a Web
May 29, 2014 11:42:52 #
I saw this spider yesterday on his web but when I came out with the camera he was under a leaf. This morning he was smack dab in the middle of the web so I took these photos of him. Other photos are of unknown black bugs that before I looked through a lens seemed to be nothing but black specks. I have no idea what they are but I know they are living creatures now.
I am open to suggestions on getting sharper pictures. These were with my D7000 on a tripod with the Nikkor 105 f2.8 macro lens with 56mm of extension tubes. Aperture was f/16 and ISO 200. I was using a handheld 6X8 diffuser on a Nikon SB900 speedlight.
I am open to suggestions on getting sharper pictures. These were with my D7000 on a tripod with the Nikkor 105 f2.8 macro lens with 56mm of extension tubes. Aperture was f/16 and ISO 200. I was using a handheld 6X8 diffuser on a Nikon SB900 speedlight.
May 29, 2014 11:53:27 #
May 29, 2014 13:03:41 #
Your shooting seems to be coming along pretty good :thumbup: The black ones are aphids.
I would suggest cleaning your sensor though.
I would suggest cleaning your sensor though.
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May 29, 2014 23:07:43 #
Flyextreme wrote:
Thanks for looking and for the advice. I just noticed this morning, while taking a landscape, there is a spot in the sky. I will have to look into that. Thanks.Your shooting seems to be coming along pretty good :thumbup: The black ones are aphids.
I would suggest cleaning your sensor though.
I would suggest cleaning your sensor though.
May 29, 2014 23:12:21 #
dennis2146 wrote:
Look on right side of your images. The spots are in the same place on each image. There's quite a lot of them.Thanks for looking and for the advice. I just noticed this morning, while taking a landscape, there is a spot in the sky. I will have to look into that. Thanks.
May 29, 2014 23:14:36 #
Flyextreme wrote:
I do see them. Thank you.Look on right side of your images. The spots are in the same place on each image. There's quite a lot of them.
May 30, 2014 02:00:10 #
dennis2146 wrote:
A few questions & suggestions:Aperture was f/16 and ISO 200. I was using a handheld 6X8 diffuser on a Nikon SB900 speedlight.
How does your speedlight communicate with camera?
Is your speedlight set to manual discharge?
I strongly recommend that you master your macro lens at 1:1, or close. I believe none of these five photographs required use of extension tubes.
Four hints for using a softbox diffuser:
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 SB-900 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 30, 2014 10:37:38 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Thank you, Douglass, for the tips. Some I am already doing.A few questions & suggestions:
I have pulled the white Velcro strip from inside the diffuser. I will start using the drop down diffuser on the SB-900. I have had the camera ISO set to 200 and the camera on Aperture mode at f/16. I will set the camera to manual. The SB-900 has been set at TTL but I will try it on manual as well. I will also take the extension tubes off the 105 Macro lens and just use the lens. I am using a cord from the camera to the Speedlight. On the camera hot shoe is a TTL monitor. I am not sure what it is called but I am sure you will know what I mean. Thanks again.
May 30, 2014 13:09:40 #
Dennis, I have been following Douglass's advice for my camera settings with great results. One thing that's really nice is, you need only to change the duration of the speed light 97% of the time. This keeps things real simple so you can concentrate on other things. :wink:
May 30, 2014 13:24:16 #
dennis2146 wrote:
We look forward to your next macro posts.Thank you, Douglass, for the tips. Some I am already doing.
May 30, 2014 13:26:09 #
Flyextreme wrote:
Thanks, Bill. For the most part I have been following the same advice except for trying longer extension tubes. I also use 200 ISO, f/16 but with camera on Aperture priority instead of Manual. I will try the Manual setting on camera and flash. I can't seem to get what I think is a good focus. The camera is on a tripod so sharp photos should not be a problem for me but it is. I will keep practicing. I do see improvement and like other things in life one day I will be, "there".Dennis, I have been following Douglass's advice for my camera settings with great results. One thing that's really nice is, you need only to change the duration of the speed light 97% of the time. This keeps things real simple so you can concentrate on other things.
Thanks,
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May 30, 2014 13:32:06 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Thank you. I do too. I am not frustrated in the least and will keep trying until I get it right or my camera shutters are all worn down to a frazzle. BTW anybody know how big a frazzle is? I have heard that most of my life but have never seen a frazzle so don't know how big they are supposed to be.We look forward to your next macro posts.
May 30, 2014 14:18:31 #
dennis2146 wrote:
Focusing seems to be my biggest challenge too. I played with my extension tubes and Raynox in the beginning. I want to get a better grip on 1:1 first. I intend on slowly adding higher magnification as I go.Thanks, Bill. For the most part I have been follo... (show quote)
May 30, 2014 14:41:49 #
Flyextreme wrote:
Yes. That is my problem too. Master 1:1 first and then go longer. Thanks,Focusing seems to be my biggest challenge too. I played with my extension tubes and Raynox in the beginning. I'm still want to get a grip on 1:1 first. I intend on slowly adding higher magnification as I go.
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