Daisy Fields of Death (DP2M)

[tantalum181]

So, it has been dim here in the Pacific NW due to normal rainfall and the "new" SD1M demands much more light than available.

So, revisiting early DP2M photos. I just have not been able to recreate the 'acctuance'(?) of the DP2M with the SD1M and the ART 18-300 lens. Close, but needs LOTS of light.

This was handheld. I think...I should have brought out the tripod and went for an aperture in the F11+ to bring the rest of the crime scene into focus.

I have learned a bit more about SPP developing since...2014 and did some slight processing. The thing with the DP2M is that when it takes a good picture, it, to me, is a great picture, even without processing.


Crab spider enjoying a lunch caught on the wing. Amazing!

Bob

--
Look where you want to go. Don't look where you don't want to go.

 

[SiFu]

Hello Bob!

Would be interesting to see if there really are obvious metering differences - maybe you can take a shot with each camera at the same focal length, aperture and scene of course. Other than that, better glass helps the SD a lot!

That is a nice snap of an interesting scene right there. Instead of adding DOF, it would have benefitted the image more to walk over to the the other side to get the heads in focus imho. To fill the frame with crab spiders, a 1:1 lens on the SD would be best. You would lose some environmental context though - always a tough call for such a scene, at least to me, allthough I typically end up going in closer. Have you thought about adding something like a Raynox250 to your DP? Might get you in closer as well for more flexibility?

Best,

Alex

--
carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero

 

[xpatUSA]

Hello Bob!

Would be interesting to see if there really are obvious metering differences - maybe you can take a shot with each camera at the same focal length, aperture and scene of course. Other than that, better glass helps the SD a lot!

That is a nice snap of an interesting scene right there. Instead of adding DOF, it would have benefitted the image more to walk over to the the other side to get the heads in focus imho. To fill the frame with crab spiders, a 1:1 lens on the SD would be best. You would lose some environmental context though - always a tough call for such a scene, at least to me, allthough I typically end up going in closer. Have you thought about adding something like a Raynox250 to your DP? Might get you in closer as well for more flexibility?

+1 for the Raynox but some adaptors might be needed:

http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/dcr/dcr250/indexdcr250eg.htm

This is worth reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close-up_filter

From which I glean that the closest focus distance for a DP2M goes down from 280mm to 125mm.

As to the SD1 Merrill, it is really good for close-up work, even with a zoom:

Preparing lunch bag . . .


SD1, low res, 18-200mm at 101mm

A 105mm would have been perfect!

Diner is a "barn spider", leg spread about 65mm . .

--
"What we've got hyah is Failyah to Communicate": 'Cool Hand Luke' 1967.

 

[tantalum181]

...
That is a nice snap of an interesting scene right there. Instead of adding DOF, it would have benefitted the image more to walk over to the the other side to get the heads in focus imho...

You realize it was 'Fields of Death' by spider right? That wasn't the only one!

Later this spring I will go out to the daisy field (on my property) and set up better. I do have macro lens adaptor for the DP2M and the 18-300 on the SD1M does macro. Will need to make a wind shade as it is usually breezy. The crab spider is shy and always turns away from me even if hanging on to a bumblebee like above.

Thanks for your thoughts!

bob

 

[SiFu]

Hello Bob!

Not much of a surprise that I am only talking about the image posted, is it?

If you are really trying to get in close, especially in windy conditions, adding at least one flash helps to reduce motion blur. We have a constant breeze over here in the Alps as well almost the whole year. It makes shooting macro out in the field harder but also helps approaching bugs in my experience, because they are not super scared by vibration.

For me, the key to getting close is slow movement and standing still to make the crittets get used to my presence. Crab spiders are sometimes present here as well - here is one from about seven years ago on the SD10 (I notice I did process colder and less contrasty back then). All handheld in windy conditions.



Here is another old feeding snap of a different spider (done with a Fuji S5 though, but the body typically does not matter much for my leisure shooting):


Done with a bellows setup I use on my Sigma bodies as well

The most important part is to have fun shooting though I guess. Looking forwatd to your new shots.

Best,

Alex

--
carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero