Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

More bee shots, I just can't help myself, I will say that the diffuser is allowing me to pick up subtleties that I was not able to get before making the new box.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I am interested in shooting straight reverse lens. What lens reversed, would deliver approximately 2:1 mag (2x life-size)? And what is the approximate Working Distance?

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

28mm is very close to 2x magnification, I think that it varies a little bit between body manufacturers and actually I think that different lenses will deliver different results although very small variations. I will say that the reason that I keep going back to stacked lenses is two fold, DOF and lens flare, both are harder to control with a simple reversed lens setup.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Good points. I can acquire 2:1 mag (2x life-size) with 68-mm extension tubes on my 105-mm macro, and retain all auto functions. The downside is a very long "lens", and a short WD. What advantages to stacking lenses, which are just as long?

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Douglass, if you are going to stay at 2x and below, I would say that your tubes are the best solution, you will have about 4" of working distance, I would think that you would have to work your flash at higher durations than I do but the working distance is much more comfortable and we know that your macro lens is an exceptional piece of glass.

What stacked lenses does for me is it allows me to go above 2X and that is about the only advantage, I would probably shoot alot more with tubes if my tubes were electronic which they are not, so for me using my tubes limits me in many ways that your tubes do not limit you. The working distance of my reversed lens setup is only something like 1 1/2" at 2X to 1" at 3x so I am really close... I am right down in the middle of these bees while shooting. Reversed lenses can be very rewarding, all one has to do is look at Shahan's site or many others who use similar setups, but it also presents new challenges.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

We need to assemble and post information about pros & cons of increased magnification via extension tubes, straight reversed lens, and stacked lenses. We can build a comparison chart, showing average magnification, WD, aperture, etc.

This will be helpful to me, as well as to all other interested macro-photographers.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

I will be glad to help if I can, the majority of my experience is with stacked lenses, I have done a bit with reversed lens and can help there some too, I feel that my cheapo tubes(interior threads all the way through the tubes) exacerbate the problems that I have had with flare. But I remember that eframgoldberg also experienced flare in his reversed lens photography. I believe that it is just part of the challenge of reversed lens. I think that probably you and Tom as far as the regular posters here are great resources on tubes, I have noticed that Tom is mostly shooting with his macro mounted to tubes now with very good results.

Beyond that it is a learning experience and method discussions are not a static thing, just recently we have seen alot of our members make advances in their diffusers, we did not invent this we simply discussed what we were doing at the moment, I think that if you look at Lord V's post you will see that he talked about using paper towel for diffusing material, it is an old method that became a current topic in the forum and we all benefited. I am sure that Martin will push us all to improve what we are doing as he is a freak at getting it right! So unless we all want to be embarrassed by his growth we will have to start pushing ourselves. I have lost the advantage I had over him now that he is going reverse... LOL I am looking at his penny shot and realizing that he took time to get it just right, perfect plane and lighting.... He is going to be hard to keep up with.

I am always glad to share my experiences.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

If you give me a couple of weeks I'll be able to share a little info on reverse stack and reverse mount. Geff set me straight on how to adjust my aperture on electronic control aperture lens

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

It's all the Fine detail that makes these shots. A shame we didn't invent the softbox. It's a Must for all Macro toolboxes.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Yes please do. I am a ways away from taking the next step, but the more I learn the better.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Already in process.

richardh76 Loc: VT, Central, Champlain Valley

Thanks guys for this discussion, please keep it up!!
Richard

evenic Loc: South Australia

As an eager macro beginner i would find it helpful to see some pics of the equipment in your discussions. Can you explain "reverse lens " and "extension tubes". Thankyou. Yvonne

Venecca Loc: Washington

Bought extension tubes, and then a reversing ring for my 50mm (nifty fifty). I have a Tamron 90mm to begin with. I also made Lord V's diffuser. Problem is that I only have an SB 700 speed light. Not sure what the best way to attach to camera is. I'm just setting on the ground near my subject. :( not much success. Although we don't have many live bugs right now in Wa. Everything is in hibernation. I've been shooting frost instead. Any pointers on lighting???? I feel like I'm close, but still so much to learn. I love your bee pics!! Just stunning. If I could come even close to that I would be happy!!

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Your 50/90 setup is absolutely capable of producing these shots, if you look on page three of the equipment setups you can see the bracket that I made for my flash as well as where to buy the components to make it. I am not saying that my bracket is the best one used by the photographers on this site, but I am very happy with it. I have added a home made diffuser to my flash head that can be made out of cardboard lined with aluminum foil and a paper towel for the diffusing material with a piece of clear plastic over the paper towel to protected it from moister and tears The diffuser is very important to achieve the color and soft light you see in these photos. There are several examples of these softboxes that have been posted here in the forum. Personally I used an empty Breyers Ice Cream box to make mine but I think that it is a little deep, I will probably make one similar to some of the others seen here but just a little shallower.