Macro Question: I would like to get better detail and was wondering if extension tubes would help. This is the out of the camera version taken with a Canon 7D, EF100 f/2.8 Macro IS.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

I would like to get better detail and was wondering if extension tubes would help. This is the out of the camera version taken with a Canon 7D, EF100 f/2.8 Macro IS.

Golden Orb

Clicker2014 Loc: Canada

raymondh wrote:

I would like to get better detail and was wondering if extension tubes would help. This is the out of the camera version taken with a Canon 7D, EF100 f/2.8 Macro IS.

Hi
Could you upload this again and attach the original by checking the "store original" We can analyze it easier and give a more informed replay :-) Thanks!

Clicker2014 Loc: Canada

Clicker2014 wrote:

raymondh wrote:

I would like to get better detail and was wondering if extension tubes would help. This is the out of the camera version taken with a Canon 7D, EF100 f/2.8 Macro IS.

Hi
Could you upload this again and attach the original by checking the "store original" We can analyze it easier and give a more informed replay :-) Thanks!

I did a "high pass" sharpening and it looked better. I can see the hair on the legs. You did a pretty good job, but again repost with details. We would like to know if it was cropped...how close were you??

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Try this one. I thru in another original version (a little under exposed) and a slightly modified version. Thanks for looking!

Golden Orb

Golden Orb 2

Golden Orb 2a

Clicker2014 Loc: Canada

I would like to get better detail and was wondering if extension tubes would help. This is the out of the camera version taken with a Canon 7D, EF100 f/2.8 Macro IS.

[quote=raymondh]Try this one. I thru in another original version (a little under exposed) and a slightly modified
I would like to get better detail and was wondering if extension tubes would help. This is the out of the camera version taken with a Canon 7D, EF100 f/2.8 Macro IS.

You did a great job with these Raymond! You just need a bit more sharpening. It looks like you used F11 which gave a lot of detail in #1. I think that in the field it is difficult to get much closer to these insects. I think that if you truly want to get up close and personal you will have to get extension tubes. I plan on getting some soon myself. I have a 150 2.8 Sigma macro lens which I truly love, but I too want to get closer shots of insects.
One question...do you use a tripod? Most important thing :-)

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

These were handheld. I let my daughter borrow my tripod for her vacation & haven't got it back yet. Reason I posed the question was I thought I read somewhere that you wouldn't get a lot of benefit using extension tubes on a Macro lens. I appreciate your comments. Not to try your patience, here's a couple more tightly cropped version's I took Saturday while she was munching on a moth. I thought the detail wasn't too bad, but like you say, we're always trying to hit one out of the park.

golden orb & moth

golden orb & moth flip side

Clicker2014 Loc: Canada

raymondh wrote:

These were handheld. I let my daughter borrow my tripod for her vacation & haven't got it back yet. Reason I posed the question was I thought I read somewhere that you wouldn't get a lot of benefit using extension tubes on a Macro lens. I appreciate your comments. Not to try your patience, here's a couple more tightly cropped version's I took Saturday while she was munching on a moth. I thought the detail wasn't too bad, but like you say, we're always trying to hit one out of the park.

You did very well for hand held! Great job :-) Below is a link to someone who used the extension tube on his macro lens on the dew on a spider web! Now that is a WOW factor! LOL! Good luck and I look forward to seeing how you do! I will do the same when I get mine....I do know it will take a bit of practice....I also purchased a macro rail through amazon a long time ago and still am yet to use it! I think that when I get the extension tubes this is going to come in REALLY handy! LOL!
http://www.amazon.com/Adorama-Budget-Focusing-Control-Photography/dp/B0002ER2WI

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leepictures/2038587600/

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Most serious field macro-photographers hand-hold camera, because insects do not cooperate. And most serious field macro-photographers use camera-attached speedlight illumination with various diffuser patterns. Take a look at several different, successful macro equipment set-ups: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-1.html

Extension tubes were designed to be used with macro lenses, not instead of macro lenses. They happen to work with standard lenses as well. Many of us use Kenko auto-extension tubes, which retain electronic connection between camera & lens for both auto-focus and auto-aperture.

Kenko auto-extension tube set
Kenko auto-extension tube set...

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

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LaughBrian Loc: Tn

Nikonian72 wrote:

Most serious field macro-photographers hand-hold c... (show quote)

are those as much money as they look? I have an old xti cause im poor and have alot of med bills. Cancer is not cheap to treat lol. So I'm always looking for a good deal on gear. Then the wife wont get that mad when i buy it heehee.

twowindsbear

First off - GREAT pix! I'd love to be able to make pix like you've made.

The extension tube set is quite a bit less expensive than another lens!

They will allow you to make an even bigger image of your spider - or other small items. Also, your working distance will be reduced which will make focusing and lighting even more 'tricky.'

Maybe see if you can borrow or even rent a set before you buy? Or, make SURE you can get a generous return policy on your purchase.

Good luck!!

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

One way of getting razor sharp pictures of insects is to put them in a refrigerator to cool them off. Then, restage the picture with the dormant subject. Use a tripod, stop down, set up a strobe, lock up the mirror, remote shutter control. All these add a little to increase the sharpness.

All the tubes do is to allow you to get closer so you have to crop less. However, the depth of field drops off sharply the closer you get.

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

raymondh wrote:

I would like to get better detail and was wondering if extension tubes would help. This is the out of the camera version taken with a Canon 7D, EF100 f/2.8 Macro IS.

When you say you want "better detail",do you mean you want ALL of the spider to be in sharp focus. If so , extension tubes will take you in the opposite direction.You will get greater magnifaction but much less DOF!

verichrome Loc: California

If the subject is static you could try "focus stacking" which will increase sharpness and allow precision control of depth of field.

A static subject is a gift.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_stacking

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Once you go past 1:1 things change drasticly. You are now in the realm of bellows and reversing lens. Here is a photo of the setup I use to go to 2:1 enlargement. Of course you would then be on a tripod with positioning rail ! The lens is a 80mm enlarging lens. If I go past 2:1 I will reverse the lens and lighting becomes a definite problem ! Regarding tubes- I was on e-Bay yesterday and saw varible helicoid extension tubes - WITH - Tilting ability ! ! from China for about $129 - These would be a very welcome addition for the serious macro worker ! Just the varible extension tube alone would be helpful ( they have those too ).