H1 & close-up lens...1st encounters.

Hello everyone. After a frustrating couple of months I'm back on track and getting to grips with the H1 again.

Thanks for all the advice on macro add-ons. Couldn't get hold of the Sony 3x and thought the Canon offerings a tad too expensive on top of the recent camera + wide and tele purchases. So I decided to try the Jessops lens, as mentioned by John F., in the 'Which close up...' thread. At £17 if it failed to deliver it wouldn't be the end of the world. I'm appending a selection from my first dozen or so attempts and would be very pleased for feedback from anybody who has an interest. I would be particularly pleased for any comment from the many experts out there on the lens performance and of course on my technique. I must say that I am fairly pleased with the outcome although there are obvious flaws, fringing, burn out and focus issues for example but the prints are nevertheless quite attractive to my 'oldish' eyes. Just wish those bugs and flowers would remain stationary a little longer when I point my lens their way!
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Tom

The bee shots are quite impressive! I love how you can see the hairs all over its body! Very nice!
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My Photos At Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilej/

n/t

Thanks Dave and I'll let you into a secret....... I've had a lifelong aversion to flying insects of the stinging variety ever since putting my foot in a wasps' nest when about 5 years of age. Got stung pretty badly by the understandably furious colony! So for me to be stalking such creatures in my back garden is no mean feat! However I will be drawing the line on WASPS! They are the villains as far as I'm concerned!
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Tom

The insect shots are excellent. Really, really good!
Some of the flower shots look a bit soft.

I'm really curious about this inexpensive lens. While it doesn't look as good as the Canon or Sony models, it's not all that bad, either.

I wonder who really makes it? It is double-element, do you know?

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=~ AAK - http://www.aakatz.com
=~ Author of the H-Series White Paper
=~ http://www.aakatz.com/h1whitepaper

Thanks for the reply Alan. Don't know who makes it for Jessops but it is manufactured in Japan. It is very slim and it is difficult to see if there is more than one element - nothing to confirm this on the box either. It is called however a 4+ close up 'filter' which may I suppose indicate one element. Incidentally I cannot fit it with the Sony wide angle as there is not enough depth to accommodate the threads. I take it that this is not so withthe Canon and Sony lclose ups.

Finally re the softness of the flower shots.....what's to be done? Is it a focusing aperture error or a characteristic of the lens or a combination of both perhaps.
Cheers
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Tom

Hi Dave, I'm posting to bring this thread to the top, as hopefully some of the more expierenced macro folk may have missed it. From my limited expierence, could be too narrow a depth of field, or try using a tripod to insure total stability. Hopefully a more knowledgable member will offer more.

Have you read Alans White Paper. There are some great pionters on the add on lenses and close ups that might help. Although the flower shots are just a little soft, one of the bee shots is awesome. I know, for myself, practice and trying to remember what worked, is the order of the day when it comes to close ups. Great shooting
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Jerry http://www.pbase.com/tocarver

Sony H1,Pemaraal Adapter SA58H, Teleconverter, wide angle, close-up, polar & uv,Triffen #6 Neutral Density lenses,and Sony p52, Monfrotto Monopod & Head w/Quick Release
Giotto VT-800 Tripod, Pod Camera Platform

Tom92 said:

...course on my technique. I must say that I am fairly pleased with
the outcome although there are obvious flaws, fringing, burn out
and focus issues for example

Click to expand...

The biggest issue with the flower shots is low shutter speed. As Tocarver mentioned, a tripod would help considerably when shooting at these light levels (and settings). Watch that wind though. You did quite well handholding, considering.

The dandelion, the fly, and the bee are all shot at much faster shutter speeds (which helped). Now you CAN shoot macros at some pretty slow shutter speeds without a tripod, but your keeper precentage will be miniscule. The fly looks fairly good, but it's likely due to the smaller image size posted here. And the bee is just a bit OOF (the focal point is a little too close to the camera), and there is some subject motion blur present (readily detected in the front leg's motion).

However a fair part of the image degradation that's still apparent is due to the lens IMO. I think you'll only be able to get to a certain point quality-wise with your photos (even though you do your part). I'd highly recommend saving your pennies and getting a multi-element lens. You will not be disappointed.

To give you an idea of the detail possible, this was shot with the Canon 250D on the H1 (slightly cropped)...



The dragonfly was shot using diffused flash. Flash provides several benefits, but mainly it eliminates blur due to camera shake and subject movement! Letting you concentrate on Focus and Composition. It also allows you to shoot at any light level.

Here's the homemade diffuser I use on the H1:



Link:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=14294263

And some more leisure reading for you...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=16675964

Hope this answers some of your questions.
R2

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Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.

http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries

R2.....what can I say?

Well firstly a huge thank you for such a prompt, comprehensive and eloquent answer to my query.

Secondly seeing as I entertained you initially it was only fair that I should be entertained in return. I certainly was.....your comic take on on the obsessive/compulsive hobbyist is hilarious.

Thirdly, taking aside my inexperience and faulty technique, it's very clear that the Canon lens is far superior.

Finally, the light diffuser - I marvel at your ingenuity but am still, despite your design description, baffled as to how to put one together should I ever have the confidence to try. The answer to these few questions might help as I am afraid to say my DIY and IT skills are on a par!
1. Is the device 6 sided ?

2. Is it possible to see the view from the top down to be able to see the internal placement of the component parts?
3. Does the system work with the tele conv. lens ?

Perhaps sometime, when you're not being pestered by the likes of me, and the weather's too foul to go on bug safari, you might post the answers and maybe some dimensions. Please don't rush - I need to build up my confidence and camera experience first !
Once again, thanks R2. It's been a privilege to 'talk' with you.
PS The dragonfly detail - simply awesome.
Cheers
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Tom