A Few New Macros

Sandman · Jul 3, 2004

pinophoto,

This is a link to the instructions for layer sharpening:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=7038550

This is a great technique. When you first read through it, it is a bit overwhelming, but print the instructions and follow it step-by-step. It actually takes much longer to type the instructions than to do it! Once you do this a few times, you will be able to do it in your sleep. I use PS CS and have written an "action" for setting up this sharpening routine. I don't use it for every image I take, but most of my macros get this treatment.

Once you get this down PAT, let me know and I'll share one more variation on this that I use. It is how to apply this sharpening routine ONLY to specific areas of the image, rather than sharpening the entire image. I just don't want to overwhelm you right now. Let me know when you are ready.

Cheers,

jim

--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3

alexwz · Jul 3, 2004

Hi Sandman,

Nice work.

I'm still struggling to get the DOF I need. I'm using the 100mm macro with the ring flash. When I do bugs, I've been setting my FEC on the flash to +3/4 and using the manual settings of 1/125 and F11.

This guy was about 1/4 the size of a pencil eraser.

I don't seem to have a problem with stationary things like very tiny plants This thing was about 1/2":

I think I need to find some bigger bugs!

RebelWithoutACause · Jul 3, 2004

Jim,

Very well done they look tremendous.

I like how you say I just went out this morning and took these....

Since I got my Tamron 90mm lens EVERY insect and creepy crawly has disapeared in a radius of 5kms. Was it the flash I used? or the salami sandwich I ate prior to taking them? I don't know but on the bright side it is saving me a fortune in bug spray

Peter

--
Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

bluesfan1 · Jul 3, 2004

Very impressive. I got the DigReb a little over 2 weeks ago. I love it but don't get anywhere near the quality that most of the posters in this forum get. I'm very new to this.

We were at the lake this week. Spent a lot of time out on the boat but got frustrated trying to use the camera. The boat just wouldn't stop rocking.

Oh well, great stuff.

EmmasDaddy · Jul 3, 2004

Those are most impressive. If my wife knew creatures like that were in our back yard she would never leave the house.

Eric CAN · Jul 3, 2004

Need to know, is it straight off the lens ? No Kenko tube ? If yes, then I'm off to buy one soon !

I'm dancing between a Sigma and the Canon, but the Sigma is not available in the area for many weeks... So maybe the Canon is the better idea, LOL.

The spider and grasshopper are my favorite, simply brilliant stuff. And even better the grasshopper is perfect, superb composition, perfect lighting, all the body in DOF. That's a winner Jim

Cheers

--
Eric Cote

Galleries :

http://gallery.bytephoto.com/DRHangar

Equipment list in profile

Sandman · Jul 3, 2004

alexwz,

Thanks for the compliments. You are off to a fine start. Yes, slightly bigger subjects will make a difference. It is all a matter of technique. It comes with practice. Manual mode is the way to go with the flash. You can actually stop down even more if you need to.

Cheers,

jim

--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3

Sandman · Jul 3, 2004

RebelWithoutACause said:
Jim,

Very well done they look tremendous.

I like how you say I just went out this morning and took these....
Since I got my Tamron 90mm lens EVERY insect and creepy crawly has
disapeared in a radius of 5kms. Was it the flash I used? or the
salami sandwich I ate prior to taking them? I don't know but on
the bright side it is saving me a fortune in bug spray

Peter,

What a scream! LOL! Seriously, thanks for the compliments. Hang in there. Wishing you swarms of insects in your future!

Cheers,

jim
--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3

Sandman · Jul 3, 2004

bluesfan1,

Thanks! Congrats on your new Rebel. Be patient. There is a learning curve. Just take your time, read everything you can get your hands on, and hang out on the forum. There is a lot of valuable info right here. In no time flat, you'll be posting masterpieces.

Cheers,

jim

--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3

Sandman · Jul 3, 2004

EmmasDaddy,

Thanks so much. Amazing that all these little critters were found in the shrubs and flowers around the yard. Tomorrow, if the weather holds, I'm planning a short trip to Callaway Gardens to see what lurks in their shrubs and flower beds. Wish me luck!

Cheers,

jim

--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3

Sandman · Jul 3, 2004

Eric CAN,

Thanks so much Eric. Yes, these are shot naked: no tubes or teleconverters at all. Some are cropped. That grasshopper is less than 1 inch long and the praying mantus is not much bigger (I've never seen one so small).

The Sigma is awesome. I've been amazed by the stuff that Rich brings home day after day. I've also read good things about the Tamron 90. Good luck with your decision.

Cheers,

jim

--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3

Bill Huber · Jul 3, 2004

Well Jim, those are really something, very nice indeed.....

Have you seen the little ring flash you can get on Ebay for around $75.
It has 52mm threads and comes with a PC cord.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43442&item=3824345958&rd=1

Here is one with the ring flash...

--
Bill Huber

Sandman · Jul 3, 2004

Bill Huber,

Thanks for stopping by and saying hello. I'll check out that link straight away. You are getting great results. Is this shot with your new E-1?

Cheers,

jim

--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3

Bill Huber · Jul 3, 2004

Yes Jim it is and i am still having a ball with it.
It looks like you and the 300 are getting along very well and I love the macros.

I even did something I said I would never do again, last weekend I shot a wedding... and now I know why I said I would never do it again.

Jim, for the money that little flash it a lot of fun.

You may want to tell others about it... it sold for over $200 when it came out and now for $70 it sure is fun.
Here is another one, 100% crop form the next one.
http://www.pbase.com/image/29682312

Sure miss you on the other side...

--
Bill Huber

Hawgzilla · Jul 3, 2004

Very Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sandman said:
Fellow Rebels,

Been a while since I posted some macros. Took these this morning
with the EF 100mm f2.8 macro and the Canon MT-24 Flash. Comments,
suggestions, & critiques welcome!

Biting My Nails

Fly on the Wall

Teddy Bear (with a snack)

Wax Off ~ Wax On: Words of the Grasshopper

Walk This Way!

That's All Folks!

Cheers,

jim
--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3

--
Have a great day!
Stephen

Sandman · Jul 4, 2004

Hawgzilla,

Thanks for the compliments. I'm going out this morning to try to get a few more. Wish me luck!

Cheers,

jim

--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3

Mark Marshall · Jul 4, 2004

Jim - I did a spit take with my coffee the first time I linked off to check out the MT-24 right after you first posted that you had bought it. I though "way cool, but you have to be some kind of serious at that price". Well... I am cleaning coffee off my monitor again when that mantis greeted me upon opening this thread. You have gotten your money's worth and then some. ~ m²

Sandman wrote:
--

'Brothers and sisters, we've been told there's some bad bokeh going around' ~ Wavy Gravy at Photokina
http://rhodeymark.instantlogic.com/PhotoGallery.ilx

SMH · Jul 4, 2004

We trades some threads on cross polarization recently. I was curious if you are using any form of diffussion on your MT24. I cut up a couple Mini Softbox diffussers and attached velcro to them so they would fit on the MT24. I have yet to use them in the field but, have seen some situations where the cross polarization eliminated all reflection when the pic would have looked better with some.

Great shots. Maybe we should create a "Best of the Backyard" macro book. With all the outstanding shots by you and others we would have no problem filling it.
--
Scott H.
http://www.pbase.com/smhoer

Fixitguy · Jul 4, 2004

Hi Jim
I showed your bug shots to my friend Charlie. He thinks they are fabulous.
Me - I still hate bugs.
Great work Jim.
All the best
Brian
--
Don't Be Afraid To Blow It.
My Galleries are here: http://www.pbase.com/fixitguy

Jarl Sandberg · Jul 4, 2004

I'm glad that those creatures (at least that grasshopper) doesn't live where I live

Impressive photos but that flash does almost costs as much as the body here in Sweden!

--jalle

Sandman said:
Cheers,

jim
--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3

A Few New Macros

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