New Toy & First Shots

NateS · Mar 20, 2010

Got me a new toy. Tamron 180mm f3.5 macro. Had to build myself a little bracket for my flash but works quite well. Also have a Lumiquest mini-softbox on the way.

Here's my first few shots. Nothing special I know, but there aren't many bugs out yet.

A random weed

Another Weed

Closeup of some moss

About 1/4" long spider

You don't see much talk about this lens, but so far it seems like a very sharp lens, albeit incredibly thin DOF with 1:1 and 180mm. Bokeh is very, very creamy. Should be fun at the zoo and butterfly house trip we are planning for next weekend.

tomhooper · Mar 20, 2010

No shooting data embedded. The thin DOF might be partially due to large aperture. What were your settings. I normally try to shoot macro at f/11-16. Just a thought. Really like the 2nd macro shot.

NateS · Mar 20, 2010

tomhooper said:
No shooting data embedded. The thin DOF might be partially due to large aperture. What were your settings. I normally try to shoot macro at f/11-16. Just a thought. Really like the 2nd macro shot.

F/13 on all so yeah this is just how thin the DOF is. I could try shooting at f/16 or beyond, but I'll start losing sharpness if I do that. However, a little less sharpness might be a decent tradeoff for more of the image in focus. I plan to do some real world tests to see.

At larger apertures (such as wide open) and 1:1 I was truly unable to get anything in focus. The DOF was thinner than what my eye could see I guess.

tomhooper · Mar 20, 2010

I've never shot a 180. I use a Canon 100. Wanting to go ahead a pull the trigger on an MP-E 65.

NateS · Mar 20, 2010

tomhooper said:
I've never shot a 180. I use a Canon 100. Wanting to go ahead a pull the trigger on an MP-E 65.

Yeah, MPE-65 would be sweet and I've often wondered if I should switch to Canon for it. I just don't think I'd enjoy it that much personally since you'd have to be so close at 1:1 - 5:1 and 65mm that I'd probably have a hard time shooting a lot of the live bugs around here. I definitely love everything I see people post from it though. I'll just try to be happy with this lens and a 1.4 TC giving me 1.4:1...maybe a Canon 500D filter in the future (or some tubes).

Josh66 · Mar 20, 2010

Really like the one of the moss!

And - Wow, I never thought of using the tripod collar to mount a flash to!
New project! :lol:

tomhooper · Mar 20, 2010

I use extension tubes not only on my 100, but on my 300L. Works pretty darn good. You might give it a try on the 180. I have a set of Kenko but also have a set of $90.00 Pro-optics. Air is air. I really can't tell the difference. They both work well.

NateS · Mar 21, 2010

O|||||||O said:
Really like the one of the moss!

And - Wow, I never thought of using the tripod collar to mount a flash to!
New project!

Lol...yeah, new project for sure. It cost me all of $5 for the stuff at lowes and gets the flash closer. Only problem, as I mentioned earlier is that I will have to come up with something different for when I need to mount it on a tripod or monopod....haven't quite come up with what I'll do for that yet.

tomhooper said:
I use extension tubes not only on my 100, but on my 300L. Works pretty darn good. You might give it a try on the 180. I have a set of Kenko but also have a set of $90.00 Pro-optics. Air is air. I really can't tell the difference. They both work well.

I haven't heard of Pro-optics...I'll have to look that up. Do they have the contacts to keep metering and all that? $90 isn't bad at all.

tomhooper · Mar 21, 2010

I bought them either through B&H or Adorama. Only place I buy from online. Lens functions with no problem. I normally manual focus my 100 but let the 300 autofocus. Doesn't seem to have a problem. Here is a link to one of my threads. I shot this with the 300 and 31mm extension. Hand-held from about 6 feet. Autofocus.

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/macro-photography/197145-long-lens-honey-bee.html

cnutco · Mar 21, 2010

I have to get a macro lens sometime in my future. Love the photos!

Hardrock · Mar 21, 2010

O|||||||O said:
Really like the one of the moss!

And - Wow, I never thought of using the tripod collar to mount a flash to!
New project!

+1 definitely a new project , escpecially since I just got my new off camera flash receiver! Love the setup NateS and nice shots!

bazza · Mar 22, 2010

Another weed for me.... Shallow DOF works well.. :thumbup:

tomhooper · Mar 22, 2010

Here you are Nate.

Pro-optic Extension Tubes for Nikon.

AETNKAF Pro Optic Auto Extension Tube Set for Nikon AF SLR Cameras with Full Exposure Capabilities. (Meike)

NateS · Mar 22, 2010

Thanks Tom. I had actually looked that up after you mentioned it. I'm going to wait and get the hang of 1:1 for awhile before going beyond that. Also considering the Kenko 1.4 TC which will get me to 1.4:1 and also give me 250mm for animal/zoo shots and greater subject to lens distance at 1:1 (versus less with a extension tube). I'm sure I will move to the 1.4 + tubes eventually though.

NateS · Mar 24, 2010

Alright. I made a new bracket. Total - $6.00 exactly (that like never happens) at Lowes. Now....I don't think I like the way the new bracket handles as well as the first, but it's not that much different. Still pretty easy to handle and easy to remove (just remove the flash or clamp. Best of all, my tripod mount is remained untouched so I can use a tripod or monopod (though I think I'll use it handheld a lot).

Anyway, thought I'd see what everybody thought of the new bracket......

Excuse the horrible P&S Pics

Oh, and I plan to paint the upper part of the bracket black....from the handles of the clamp on up to the flash...that way it blends in a little better.