As there a few people who are interested in what macro set ups are being used and there is a topic on macro every week I thought I would start a thread to post what set up you are using.
The idea of this thread is not so much a "hey check out my macro shots" thread but more a place to share your set up - including things like lighting (diffusion etc), brackets, tubes, filters, lenses etc etc. What the current strong points are and what areas still need to be worked on?
Over the winter I'll be experimenting with my lighting and will post some results here and I'd love for others to do the same (not just with lighting but any updates) so we can learn from each others success' as well as things that didn't work as planned.
I'll kick off with my current set up in a reply below.
Thanks for starting this, Drew! I am really curious to see what you do. All I have at the moment is a reverse mounted lens, so there is no real set up. Just try & get as much natural light as possible, and if not, turn on all the lights in the house, stick the lightscoop on and use the flash.
I'm currently shooting with full set of Kenko extension tubes on a Canon 7D. For lighting I am only using a homemade snoot with diffusion.
Overall I'm fairly happy with the diffusion but there are still some small blow outs in super reflective bugs and in eyes of some bugs. The diffusion material is a couple of layers of white "stiffening" material from a haberdashers shop. I've read that paper towel works well so I might give that a crack at some stage. This set works well when the subject is on a lighter surface as the bouncing light really fills in the details. It does struggle when on darker surfaces though and I can lose some details in the shadows.
Pic of the rather rough set up:
This set up gives around 1.5x magnification with a working distance of around 6cm.
Hoping to upgrade to a 100mm L and 430 flash at some stage.....
Cool thread! Thanks for setting it up. I just have the standard built-in macro on my compact at the moment. Unfortunately the built in flash is in completely the wrong place for macro shots, and the camera shop people couldn't suggest anything better. I might try copying your set up to see how that goes...
wondering if anyone can give a suggestion on how to use a reverse thread ring for macro...i have one, but it makes me a bit nervous to turn my 50mm around and use it...not sure if i am doing things correctly...i am putting the ring on and then applying the lens backwards- it does not seem too stable so i feel like a need to hold the lens while taking pics...does that sound right? it is a reverse macro ring for canon...
@4stories You're right, all you need to do is screw the ring onto the front, then turn it around & attach it like a normal lens. It doesn't sound like you have screwed it on tight enough if you feel it is wobbly. I have mine screwed onto the kit lens, which is fairly chunky, and definitely bigger and heavier than my 50mm.
Thanks for sharing your setup Wahyu. From memory your 1:1 working distance with the macro len alone is 15cm right? Do you find the light tent effective at that range or do you just it when combined with tubes?
I've seen more people using the light tents with the M-PE lens with the closer working distance. The light looks great.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
Overall I'm fairly happy with the diffusion but there are still some small blow outs in super reflective bugs and in eyes of some bugs. The diffusion material is a couple of layers of white "stiffening" material from a haberdashers shop. I've read that paper towel works well so I might give that a crack at some stage. This set works well when the subject is on a lighter surface as the bouncing light really fills in the details. It does struggle when on darker surfaces though and I can lose some details in the shadows.
Pic of the rather rough set up:
This set up gives around 1.5x magnification with a working distance of around 6cm.
Hoping to upgrade to a 100mm L and 430 flash at some stage.....
The setup:
End result:
this is my combo gear for macro:
Thanks for sharing your setup Wahyu. From memory your 1:1 working distance with the macro len alone is 15cm right? Do you find the light tent effective at that range or do you just it when combined with tubes?
I've seen more people using the light tents with the M-PE lens with the closer working distance. The light looks great.
yup i think light tent really great for > 1xlifesize but it's ok for 0,5-1 x lifesize..