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Objects are much closer than they seem
Dec 4, 2021 01:16:15 #
Here are some pictures taken with the inexpensive Opteka 15mm wide angle macro lens. This is not an easy kind of lens to use, since for macro it requires a super close working distance, and the manual aperture needs to be stopped down all the way to give some detail about the greater surroundings. What good is a super wide angle lens if you can’t see the "big picture"? Anyway …
Spotted bird grasshopper (Schistocerca lineata).
Spotted bird grasshopper by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Hickory tussock caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae).
Hickory tussock caterpillar by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Hooded owlet moth caterpillar (Cucullia convexipennis). The adult moth is about as boring as it gets, but one of the youngsters can be spotted from quite a long ways away!
Hooded owlet moth caterpillar by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Fishing spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus). A.k.a. nursery web spiders, but that name is a broader name encompassing a lot of species and I have to now try to remember that. Anyway, she was guarding her nursery of baby spiders and so probably wouldn’t drop on me while I lay down below and aimed up.
Fishing spider by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Thanks for looking!
Spotted bird grasshopper (Schistocerca lineata).
Spotted bird grasshopper by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrHickory tussock caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae).
Hickory tussock caterpillar by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrHooded owlet moth caterpillar (Cucullia convexipennis). The adult moth is about as boring as it gets, but one of the youngsters can be spotted from quite a long ways away!
Hooded owlet moth caterpillar by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrFishing spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus). A.k.a. nursery web spiders, but that name is a broader name encompassing a lot of species and I have to now try to remember that. Anyway, she was guarding her nursery of baby spiders and so probably wouldn’t drop on me while I lay down below and aimed up.
Fishing spider by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrThanks for looking!
Dec 4, 2021 04:00:55 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Here are some pictures taken with the inexpensive ... (show quote)
Outstanding!
Dec 4, 2021 06:45:22 #
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Dec 4, 2021 06:49:56 #
It seems there are a lot of skills to learn with a lens like that but you managed it. Great shots.
Dec 4, 2021 07:24:28 #
Amazing images Mark. I'm still struggling to get sharp images with my Tamron 90mm. I guess I need a lot more practice.
Dec 4, 2021 09:28:25 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Here are some pictures taken with the inexpensive ... (show quote)
Fine close ups !
Dec 4, 2021 09:40:34 #
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Dec 4, 2021 10:03:49 #
Dec 4, 2021 10:25:19 #
Thank you, everybody! I really appreciate it.
I should describe the procedure that I have for using the lens. It is pretty much the most fun lens I have, and it retails on Amazon for a little over $100. Composing and approximate focusing usually requires working with a wide open aperture, and somewhere in there I zoom in on the lcd screen to attempt to focus. Then the aperture is cranked down (and I'm now shooting in the dark). Lots of pictures are taking while slightly nudging the focus around. A couple turn out, but only if I shoot with my fingers crossed.
The great Thomas Shahan is seen here using the considerably more expensive Venus/Laowa version of this lens (the Opteka is described as being nearly identical, except for cosmetic differences). I don't know how he makes it look so easy, but then again he is Thomas Shahan and that's what he does.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZcYXUMkhek&t=305s
Elsewhere here you can spend a lot of time just enjoying his many other videos. His stuff is so inspiring.
I should describe the procedure that I have for using the lens. It is pretty much the most fun lens I have, and it retails on Amazon for a little over $100. Composing and approximate focusing usually requires working with a wide open aperture, and somewhere in there I zoom in on the lcd screen to attempt to focus. Then the aperture is cranked down (and I'm now shooting in the dark). Lots of pictures are taking while slightly nudging the focus around. A couple turn out, but only if I shoot with my fingers crossed.
The great Thomas Shahan is seen here using the considerably more expensive Venus/Laowa version of this lens (the Opteka is described as being nearly identical, except for cosmetic differences). I don't know how he makes it look so easy, but then again he is Thomas Shahan and that's what he does.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZcYXUMkhek&t=305s
Elsewhere here you can spend a lot of time just enjoying his many other videos. His stuff is so inspiring.
Dec 4, 2021 14:04:06 #
Dec 4, 2021 14:20:17 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Thank you, everybody! I really appreciate it. br ... (show quote)
Thanks for posting the link Mark. His diffuser looks better than mine, a few tweeks and I can convert mine to copy his. Looks a lot more user friendly. Again, great images on your part.
Dec 4, 2021 15:15:03 #
JimmyTB wrote:
Thanks for posting the link Mark. His diffuser looks better than mine, a few tweeks and I can convert mine to copy his. Looks a lot more user friendly. Again, great images on your part.
That diffuser drives me crazy. Much simpler than mine, but it works better!
Dec 4, 2021 15:46:12 #
Dec 5, 2021 05:53:10 #
Dec 5, 2021 07:26:38 #
That lens sees as our eyes see, especially for those of us who wear bifocals, we have to get close and all else is not in focus.
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