Firstly - WOW again for the response to yesterday's photo - just so you know you're all fab!!! Huge thanks!
I invested £10 (inc postage) on some macro extension tubes for my kit lens on Wednesday and yesterday they dropped through my letterbox - can't complain about the service. So I'm learning how to use them and it's not easy. They are a set of rings that fit between the lens and the body of the camera - no optics or electronics - and they mean you have to get really close to the subject, focus manually and adjust the exposure to compensate for the reduced light reaching the sensor. I tried all of the rings and found the DOF very shallow indeed so I tried a less ambitious subset. The focus here isn't as sharp as I'd like (I did better with some leaves) but I'm not sure how sharp I can expect with this Heath Robinson set up. You can get more complicated tubes that maintain the electronic focus, auto-exposure etc for about £70 but I thought I'd see if I liked this macro stuff first. I have to say that I've been craving a macro lens for ages and now I can't think of many subjects! Partly because I'm needing to use the gorillapod and remote shutter and can't go out in search of bugs etc. And I have even more respect for people who take great macro shots now I'm finding out how tricky it is to get it right! Practise required....
Great POV! I gave up capturing muscaris, I'm never happy with the result. But this is interesting! I am interested in extension tubes too (macro lenses being out of budget atm) but I was wondering what the quality of the pics is. If you post some more, it will be interesting. I have no idea if the more expensive ones are much better.
@scatcat I let the light go a bit today - I'll try and have another go again tomorrow when the natural light is good. I thought for the money they were worth a shot!
Very tricky but this is pretty. Maybe try not getting so close and then cropping? The nearer you are the more movement is going to have an effect. Wind = nightmare for these types of shots!
I found it incredibly hard when I first got my macro and it's near impossible on a windy day. The slightest breeze is a nightmare with flowers and a tripod is a MUST!!! I'm still practicing.... Take so many shots to get something I'm half proud/ happy with!!! Good luck!
Lovely macro - I'm sure you will soon get used to this as you seem to be a damn good photographer and certainly have ideas for things I wouldn't think to try. Beautfiul
Cool macro, love the colour, yes lots of light is needed, when I do my bug ones at 3 or 4 times life-size I have two huge daylight lamps to provide illumination. I also use a focusing plate, as my macro lens can only be focused by moving the camera nearer or further away from the subject. Have fun and take your time, thats the other thing you need lots of.
@johnnyfrs Thanks for the top tips. I could do with a focussing plate as my lens doesn't have cross hairs or anything and if you're photographing something smooth it's quite hard. It's just want want want with me!
Well Judith you sound very professional & I do get the gist of what you are saying but you are in another league to me !! keep working on it & will look forward to seeing your gorgeous results! This is a great start anyway & you will have fun practicing !! I must try harder myself as I haven't used my GorllaPod hardly at all yet !
I'm learning to do what Alison said, being further away and cropping. Find you have to be dead steady for this - no leg giving way on me or the tripod!
I like Pat think you are in another league Judith, I am planning to go to some classes once I have had my other knee done. by the wonderful photos you take its well worth it. this one is very good for a first attempt with you new equipment
Interesting about your macro lenses. Mine (similar price) screw onto the front of the lens, and the camera still does all the automatic focusing and light exposure bit by itself. I can't see me bothering if it was that complex! I like the effect of the soft focus on this however. When I've used Holga lenses you have to focus manually and I find that it is best to focus roughly, then simply move backwards and forwards to fine adjust. If necessary the photo can be cropped.
OK, I've now read some of the other comments and this is probably superfluous!
OK, I've now read some of the other comments and this is probably superfluous!
This is stunning!