Small Aperture Experiment
Feb 13, 2023 15:39:04 #
The other day the tiny colored shells in the oyster shell were taken at f/11 with my DIY cottage cheese container flash diffuser in the Photo Gallery.
I have never pushed the limit of the 105mm S mount macro lens to its minimum aperture so I thought I'd give it a go along with putting a hood (like the bill on a baseball cap) with aluminum foil on the underside. What would be the worst that could happen, after all, isn't that what the delete key is for?
This is the result of the Nikon Z6 with the Nikkor 105mm S mount macro lens set at f/32, 1/60 sec., ISO-200, 1/16 flash power duration with DIY diffusion. The oyster shell was set on a piece of white plastic poster board which appears grey and fade to black due to the fall off of light (it's that darn square-to-the-distance light thing).
I have never pushed the limit of the 105mm S mount macro lens to its minimum aperture so I thought I'd give it a go along with putting a hood (like the bill on a baseball cap) with aluminum foil on the underside. What would be the worst that could happen, after all, isn't that what the delete key is for?
This is the result of the Nikon Z6 with the Nikkor 105mm S mount macro lens set at f/32, 1/60 sec., ISO-200, 1/16 flash power duration with DIY diffusion. The oyster shell was set on a piece of white plastic poster board which appears grey and fade to black due to the fall off of light (it's that darn square-to-the-distance light thing).
Feb 13, 2023 17:36:58 #
Alas, it would be nice to see this same composition at f/8 or f/11 too, when considering a discussion of diffusion and / or small apertures. Your earlier image is different enough, there's no way to compare.
When we look at this version, there's a pleasing out of focus 'fade' in all the shells from about mid-way to the back. One wonders how much different the f/8 or f/11 versions would look to this result, if at all.
The colors and arrangement are excellent.
When we look at this version, there's a pleasing out of focus 'fade' in all the shells from about mid-way to the back. One wonders how much different the f/8 or f/11 versions would look to this result, if at all.
The colors and arrangement are excellent.
Feb 13, 2023 18:12:23 #
Arrrgh!!! The diffraction distortion!!! It Buurrrns! I can't take it!!! I'm going to report it to admin!!!
Feb 13, 2023 19:46:33 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Alas, it would be nice to see this same composition at f/8 or f/11 too, when considering a discussion of diffusion and / or small apertures. Your earlier image is different enough, there's no way to compare.
When we look at this version, there's a pleasing out of focus 'fade' in all the shells from about mid-way to the back. One wonders how much different the f/8 or f/11 versions would look to this result, if at all.
The colors and arrangement are excellent.
When we look at this version, there's a pleasing out of focus 'fade' in all the shells from about mid-way to the back. One wonders how much different the f/8 or f/11 versions would look to this result, if at all.
The colors and arrangement are excellent.
CHG_CANON This is the image using the aperture of f/11 which is my most often set for single-shot macro images in the field. I made a modification to my DIY diffuser on the recent image, however, the flash speed power setting was the same.
The first image of the DIY flash diffuser is a large cottage cheese container lined with aluminum foil. The lid is cut out leaving only the fastening ring. The diffusion material is China White polyester fabric used for lining clothing. For the current colored shells at the f/32, the flash is modified with a "bill" much like a ball cap. It is lined on the underside with aluminum foil. Vellum tracing paper connects to the lid of the container and extends to the end of the bill forming a concave shape. The China White polyester remains the primary diffusion material.
Feb 13, 2023 19:59:42 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Alas, it would be nice to see this same composition at f/8 or f/11 too, when considering a discussion of diffusion and / or small apertures. Your earlier image is different enough, there's no way to compare.
When we look at this version, there's a pleasing out of focus 'fade' in all the shells from about mid-way to the back. One wonders how much different the f/8 or f/11 versions would look to this result, if at all.
The colors and arrangement are excellent.
When we look at this version, there's a pleasing out of focus 'fade' in all the shells from about mid-way to the back. One wonders how much different the f/8 or f/11 versions would look to this result, if at all.
The colors and arrangement are excellent.
CHG_CANON, for what it's worth...I have no intentions of shooting macro, or other sessions, at such small apertures. This experiment showed how far I could push the lens with the flash diffuser I was building. I have a lot of time on my hands and I have all day to do...well, basically not much.
When I do focus stacking sessions at higher magnifications, I am acutely aware of the impact of the "effective aperture" which is a result of the power of magnification and the apparent f/stop. Using microscope objectives as the optics of my camera are shot wide open and enlarger lenses are sweetest at one to two stops down when extended on a bellow up to 6X or so.
Feb 13, 2023 20:07:13 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
CHG_CANON, for what it's worth...I have no intenti... (show quote)
Great set-up. I asked about an f/11 version after finding that other shell version. The less light onto the sensor is another issue with closing so small. Thx.
Feb 13, 2023 20:55:57 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Great set-up. I asked about an f/11 version after finding that other shell version. The less light onto the sensor is another issue with closing so small. Thx.
CHG_CANON, ever much so, and, of course, light is all that the sensor sees. I shoot with the ISO set to the camera's native value. Not for any specific reason, just that my macro work is all done with a flash and I don't know of a reason to up the ISO to amplify the digital output of the sensor's analog-to-digital microprocessor.
Feb 14, 2023 08:34:30 #
Feb 14, 2023 10:02:34 #
ecobin wrote:
Looks good to me. Recently, I've shot at f/45 without any issues.
Thanks, Elliott. I suspect that any diffraction that may occur as smaller apertures is more concerning based on the subject and its background which may make it more noticeable than others.
Feb 14, 2023 11:00:50 #
I’m loving your experiment!
How ‘bout doing the “ . . . sea shells by the sea shore” one next?
How ‘bout doing the “ . . . sea shells by the sea shore” one next?
Feb 14, 2023 19:22:41 #
raymondh wrote:
I’m loving your experiment!
How ‘bout doing the “ . . . sea shells by the sea shore” one next?
How ‘bout doing the “ . . . sea shells by the sea shore” one next?
Thanks, Raymond. Abraham Lincoln is known to have said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” I want to be ready to run out the door with my camera the moment I see the first pop of color in the field by spending time practicing now rather than lose opportunities walking about.
Feb 14, 2023 19:28:13 #
Feb 14, 2023 19:43:16 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The axe forgets, but the tree remembers.
CHG_CANON, I am an advocate of practicing and there is also a saying that goes, "Practice makes Perfect". However...I also believe that "Practice makes Permanent" because if we keep doing the same thing the wrong way over and over, it becomes very difficult to change. Just try to get someone to change their golf swing sometime to see what I mean. The same holds true with using a camera where practice and experimenting go hand-in-hand. Winter and rainy days are great for setting up something before the camera and going through the many items on the menu taking shot after shot to see how each setting affects the result to be ready for that once-in-a-lifetime shot of Bigfoot so the shot you take will not be like that of the countless others who did not practice and experiment.
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