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TG-6 for insects - best settings?

Started 9 months ago | Discussions
Columbusrat Regular Member • Posts: 296
TG-6 for insects - best settings?

I use my DSLR to take photos of insects in my garden, and have just bought a TG-6 so I can do the same on long walks without being weighed down. I've still to get my head around the best settings, and was wondering if I could pick your collective brains, please?

The insects I photograph range from butterfly size down to 2mm... I'm not sure at what focal distances I should use the microscope setting rather than one of the other settings. I often can't get that close to the subject before it disappears (I'm used to around 8" with a Raynox), and even zooming in, the image doesn't fill the frame - I think there's a magnification setting I can use?

I tried focus stacking, but I shoot handheld, often in a slight breeze, so that might be a non-starter. I also tried focus bracketing, but it seemed to take a load of shots with a long interval between - the insect was long gone by the time it finished.

I'm stuck with the non-diffused built-in flash for now as I can't find the flash diffuser on sale anywhere in the UK.

I could of course play with all the settings, but despite having a brain the size of a planet, it takes me forever (I'm bad enough with the telly remote...), and I invariably end up with odd settings I can't work out how to unset, so I would be really grateful if someone could tell me their tried-and-tested 'recipes'

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OM System OM-5 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro
StingyBrim New Member • Posts: 9
Re: TG-6 for insects - best settings?

I've had decent success using the straight up microscope auto mode, and zooming in if I can't get close enough. Focus stacking function only works well if the subjects are still when going handheld. If you go into your menu you can change the interval & quantity with Focus bracketing, but I think 1sec is the minimum interval.

Taken with TG-6 auto focus on microscope mode, 2x zoom from about 10cm away. Did not use stacking or bracketing. Not the best photo, but a decent example of functionalality I suppose

OP Columbusrat Regular Member • Posts: 296
Re: TG-6 for insects - best settings?
1

Thank you StingyBrim I've had better results today using the P setting with super macro focus and fill-iin flash, presumably as the flash effectively reduces the exposure time. OK, so the lighting isn't great, but I shall invest in the ring flash which should help.

I shall keep playing....

 Columbusrat's gear list:Columbusrat's gear list
OM System OM-5 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro
robgendreau Forum Pro • Posts: 10,916
Re: TG-6 for insects - best settings?
1

Pro capture mode can be handy too.

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Pentax 645Z
OP Columbusrat Regular Member • Posts: 296
Re: TG-6 for insects - best settings?

Thanks robgendreau - that's definitely something I need to try.

I'm getting more pics I'm happy with. They're by no means perfect, but still please me,  which is what is important

 Columbusrat's gear list:Columbusrat's gear list
OM System OM-5 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro
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