Colorful spider testing my patience
Feb 3, 2012 13:28:55 #
The spider moved a lot and the web was swaying in the wind . I used a 18-55mm lens with 36 mm extension tubes at a working distance of ca. 2". The tripod had to be moved around often to follow the spider .The web which was spun between a fern causing movement. How could I get a sharper shot?
Feb 3, 2012 14:30:33 #
FredD wrote:
The spider moved a lot and the web was swaying in the wind . I used a 18-55mm lens with 36 mm extension tubes at a working distance of ca. 2". The tripod had to be moved around often to follow the spider .The web which was spun between a fern causing movement. How could I get a sharper shot?
Nice color. Maybe try following him with a flash ring attached and shooting hand held-- or something like Nikonian has? I assumed you took a lot of shots-- I would have!
Nikonian uses a fresnel attachment over his flash. I haven't used one-- I have the Macro flash kit-- but haven't tracked spiders with it-- yet!
Feb 3, 2012 17:56:59 #
FredD wrote:
How could I get a sharper shot?
Increasing your DOF will allow more spider to be in focus. Decreasing your shutter duration will help "freeze" action, negating insect & wind movement. Increasing ISO will assist in both, but the trade-off is noise.
Your best method of increasing DOF, freezing action, and keeping low ISO is to provide your own portable lighting, such as key-&-fill Speedlight pair, ringlight, etc.
I use an O-Flash attachment to my standard Nikon SB-600 Speedlight. It will fit most standard speedlights. Read more here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikonian72/sets/72157623703013085
O-Flash 3/4-circle Fresnel prism attachment
Field macro set-up shhoting spiders
Orb weaver spider being photographed above
Feb 3, 2012 19:06:03 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
quote=FredD How could I get a sharper shot? /quot... (show quote)
Very nice sequence showing the O-Flash, using the O-Flash, and then the shot of the spider. I have the R-200 kit, but I like the stability of your set-up
Feb 4, 2012 20:28:07 #
Jerry Green
Loc: Huntsville, AL
Using a long macro lens such as the Nikon 200mm f/4 or the Canon Ef 180mm f/3.5L would give you a greater working distance. Try a monopod if you can hold it still enough.
Feb 4, 2012 20:38:23 #
Jerry Green wrote:
Using a long macro lens such as the Nikon 200mm f/4 or the Canon Ef 180mm f/3.5L would give you a greater working distance. Try a monopod if you can hold it still enough.
Is this observation directed to anyone in particular? If so, please use the "Quote Reply" tab before posting.
In order to provide best DOF, a longer lens requires more light at distance. There is a law of diminishing returns when using a ringlight for illumination at distance.
I have very few no problems capturing 1:1 with a 105-mm macro lens with O-Flash 3/4-circle Fresnel prism attachment on my standard speedlight.
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