Extension Tubes (Page 4): Your dandelion image is a close-up, not a true macro-photograph at 1:1 magnification (life-size). A macro lens is not needed for close-up photography, as this...

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Extension Tubes

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Jun 18, 2012 15:55:05 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Wil wrote:

Taken with 105mm on d7000 Nikon. Auto focus was unable to get a precise focus point.

Your dandelion image is a close-up, not a true macro-photograph at 1:1 magnification (life-size). A macro lens is not needed for close-up photography, as this type of image can be captured with most lenses.

Jun 18, 2012 16:17:24 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

jerryc41 wrote:

Wil wrote:

Taken with 105mm on d7000 Nikon. Auto focus was unable to get a precise focus point.

That seems to be a popular subject. I used the same combo you did with manual focus.

A typical DX or APS-C sensor is just under 1-inch wide. Are these dandelions wider than 1-inch diameter? If so, these are close-up photos, not macro-photographs.

To capture a macro image with a true macro lens:
1.) Turn-off A-F;
2.) set your lens focus to MFD (minimum focusing distance);
3.) move your camera/lens combo too close to subject;
4.) slowly pull away from subject;
5.) when subject is in focus (at MFD), press shutter release.
6.) any photo captured farther away from MFD is not a macro-photograph.

Jun 18, 2012 16:25:14 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Clicker2014 wrote:

Which "thread" were you referring to that you read last week?

Start here:
Introduction to True Macro-Photography Forum
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22447-1.html

Then here:
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers Concerning Macro
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-36372-1.html

Then subscribe to True Macro-Photography Forum here:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/section_list.jsp so it will appear on your UHH Home page.

Jun 18, 2012 16:48:45 #

twowindsbear

redpepper wrote:

Thx. So ext can be used with crop sensor? I know tc's can't and I'm on the fence whether to get ext or lighter weight diopters.

Why can't tc's be used with a crop sensor?

In my experience - diopters are a bit easier to use, but don't give as good results as extention tubes.

Jun 18, 2012 16:56:31 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

[quote=twowindsbear]

redpepper wrote:

Why can't tc's be used with a crop sensor?
In my experience - diopters are a bit easier to use, but don't give as good results as extension tubes.

By "tc", do you mean tele-extenders?
Read this thread:
FAQ: Extension Tubes vs Tele-Extenders vs Thread-on "Close-Up" lenses
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-26496-1.html

Jun 18, 2012 17:02:10 #

twowindsbear

danielle_andrassy wrote:

Would a ring flash solve the problem for the loss of light with the tubes. But then again it is an extra expense! It could be worth if you plan to do a lot of macro photography.

Yes, a ring flash is really nice for closeup / macro photos. Especially a ring flash that is compatable with the Through The Lens auto flash feature of your camera. (Your camera DOES have this feature?) There are less expensive alternatives out there, too, such as a device that fits to your lens & to the front of your existing flash that 're-aims' the light from the flash into a circle in front of the lens.

Also, there are a 'multitude' of macro 'toys' out there. Macro lenses, ring lights & other special lights, bellows, focusing rails - from 'simple' to 'complex.'

Another 'toy' to consider, along with your extension tubes, is a reversing ring. This allows you to revers your lens when you mount it to your camera, or to your ext tube. The reversing ring gives you yet another degree of magnification, and most (many, some - depending on what source you read) lenses perform a bit better in macro use, when they are reversed.

Jun 18, 2012 17:04:51 #

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

DOF of course is a function of f-stop, and so the more light you have, the smaller your aperture can be, and the greater your DOF. One thing that I found works pretty well unless you are really close to your subject is to simply use your flash with a flash diffuser - I like the Lumiquest Pocket Bounce kit with the gold diffuser which adds warmth as well. This gives a diffuse enough light such that fairly close objects will not have shadows. It is a poor-man's/woman's subsitute for a ring flash - which will be my next investment!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/533930-REG/LumiQuest_LQ_125_Pocket_Bounce_Kit.html

Jun 18, 2012 17:06:59 #

jnenvir

Another help for DOF is a stacker program such as Zerene. You take several photos at different focus points. The software stacks them keeping the in focus parts of each.

Jun 18, 2012 17:13:12 #

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

jerryc41 wrote:

The name fits the appearance. That's why my wife will never live "below the bug line." We spent lots of time in the south, and she doesn't like making new friends with six legged creatures.

If you live anywhere outside of the polar ice caps, you'll have to deal with our six legged friends.
:>)

Jun 18, 2012 17:59:47 #

pigpen

I have a Canon 100mm macro that I just love. But I always wanted to get "closer". I just bought an adaptor that fits onto the threads of my macro (58mm), then steps down to 55mm so that I can reverse mount an old Mamiya Sekor 50mm f/1.8 to the front of my macro lens. Can't wait to try it.

Nikonian72 would probably be able to expand on this technique. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it quickly.

Jun 18, 2012 18:20:04 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

pigpen wrote:

I have a Canon 100mm macro that I just love. But I always wanted to get "closer". I just bought an adapter that fits onto the threads of my macro (58mm), then steps down to 55mm so that I can reverse mount an old Mamiya Sekor 50mm f/1.8 to the front of my macro lens. Can't wait to try it.
Nikonian72 would probably be able to expand on this technique. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it quickly.

I have tried a straight reverse-mounted lens, and lens to reverse-mounted lens, but am flustered by the extremely narrow DoF.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22956-1.html

"BlurryEyed", on the other hand, is currently expounding on lens to reverse-mounted lens virtues: Answers about my Reverse lens...
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-46648-1.html

Jun 18, 2012 22:08:51 #

Wil Loc: Northern California

Thanks Jerry for the reply. Also thanks for the resources.

Jun 18, 2012 23:37:24 #

ASR666 Loc: Singapore

jerryc41 wrote:

quote=AnnieB Yes, have been trying all morning an... (show quote)

You could try focus stacking to overcome the shallow DOF and focus issue. It works well for stationary subjects. Set aperture to f/8 or similar and then take 3 shots (1) focused on top of subject (2) focused on mid (3) focus on bottom part. Use Photoshop or similar to merge the three images. Here's a tutorial.

http://digital-photography-school.com/an-introduction-to-focus-stacking

Jun 18, 2012 23:46:25 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

ASR666 wrote:

Surely you are speaking from experience. We are interested in seeing your examples.

Jun 18, 2012 23:52:03 #

saycheese Loc: By the Big Lake in West Michigan

You've given me my next World of Warcraft name!! "Assassin Nymph! "
Thank you!!

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