1st try with extension tubes on 50mm: My first attempt at using my 50mm lens with extension tubes... Difficult to get close enough without scaring them off but one was ready to pose...

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

My first attempt at using my 50mm lens with extension tubes... Difficult to get close enough without scaring them off but one was ready to pose for me. This darlin little creature is less than 1/2" long, feasting on the necter of my stonecrop sedum.... will try more tomorrow... only cropped the photo, no other editing....

gessman this one is for you...thanks for the encouragement

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

Outstanding!

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

ty not bad for a first try.... the sky is the limit now...

ransom63 Loc: Midwest

You couldn't have done much to improve this image. With the shallow depth of field that extension tubes give, your focusing on the eyes is perfect. GREAT JOB!

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

I attempted to take a couple shots of teeny tiny flowers, less than 1/4" across.. they are not tack sharp like I hoped, but the more I looked at the "blurry effect" on the flowers, I began to like them. I visualize using them with a reduced opacity for possible background for a really clear shot of the same flower.. will also make great notepaper or cards.... not everything needs to be crisp all the time.... but then thats just me... The depth of field give it almost a "painted watercolor" appearance..

I am happy with the results.

gessman Loc: Colorado

DB wrote:

My first attempt at using my 50mm lens with extension tubes... Difficult to get close enough without scaring them off but one was ready to pose for me. This darlin little creature is less than 1/2" long, feasting on the necter of my stonecrop sedum.... will try more tomorrow... only cropped the photo, no other editing....

gessman this one is for you...thanks for the encouragement

Wow. Right out of the box and you're hittin' home runs. Doesn't get much better than that. I really like the multi-colored background behind the bug. You'll soon find the right combinations for whatever focus interests and it'll come flying together for you. Sorry you're feeling under the weather and not getting a chance to go all day. I know within reason that would be your urge. Thanks for posting these and letting us enjoy them. Will be looking for more, soon. Get better!

trueblue

I love the moth but what most intrigues me are the delicate little flower spikes it is balancing on. Beautiful.

gessman Loc: Colorado

You know, I don't see how anyone who is not shooting macro can keep their interest up. You don't have to leave you yard and can spend a lifetime not getting all the wonderful minute shots that are available to you. It gets old, chasing elk, deer, and goats around all the time. Sometimes it's great just to move a few feet, maybe even sit on the ground, and come away with a shot that makes you want to set up your own gallery. Macro is amazing and I can see you're off to a running start. "You go girl," as they say. I'm a fan.

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

gessman, thanks... your encouragement sure helps. The multicolored background is a barrel overflowing with Stonecrop Sedum with multiple magenta flower heads. So its the depth of field that blurred the flowerheads and the leaves to give the watercolor effect of the background. I know I'm going to have fun.......

gessman Loc: Colorado

I really like shooting macro with a long lens because you can get further away from a subject and really control the bokeh better. The one thing to remember when doing macro is that to achieve maximum depth of field, you have to close the aperture down, just as in any shot but the tubes shorten dof on you so drastically, the more tubes, the more the impact on clear focus. I shoot in AV mode and start out with a pretty high f-stop, tripod, shutter release, mirror lockup, shooting multiple shots, maybe 5, and then often take my f-stop all the way to as high as it will go, f-22, f-32, whatever. Gives us more options with the end product. I'm excited for you and anxious to see your grow with it. Hurry up.

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Great suggestions, Thank you once again. The 50mm was handy as I walked out the door. I am sure I will experiment with every lens, every combination of tube. I forgot to lock up my mirror and forgot the remote shutter. As you know, my mind doesn't always retain things as well as I would like. But with you helping along the way.... as well as a few others on here, I have great confidence I will be producing great shots.

gessman Loc: Colorado

DB wrote:

Great suggestions, Thank you once again. The 50mm was handy as I walked out the door. I am sure I will experiment with every lens, every combination of tube. I forgot to lock up my mirror and forgot the remote shutter. As you know, my mind doesn't always retain things as well as I would like. But with you helping along the way.... as well as a few others on here, I have great confidence I will be producing great shots.

Two words: cheat sheet!

gessman Loc: Colorado

gessman wrote:

DB wrote:

Great suggestions, Thank you once again. The 50mm was handy as I walked out the door. I am sure I will experiment with every lens, every combination of tube. I forgot to lock up my mirror and forgot the remote shutter. As you know, my mind doesn't always retain things as well as I would like. But with you helping along the way.... as well as a few others on here, I have great confidence I will be producing great shots.

Two words: cheat sheet!

Of course I know you were going for a "quick and dirty" quick run and weren't feeling good but I have a cheat sheet when everything's just about right.

ianhargraves1066 Loc: NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida

Perfect photograph, well exposed and pin sharp. Great job

Ian

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Its amazing how positive comments make one want to try even harder to produce great shots. You guys are the best. Can barely wait for tomorrow lol.... gonna try the longer lens then maybe the bees will hang around a little longer for their photo session....