14 image stack at 7x mag

[NateS]

I have not actually checked the magnification of this setup yet (probably won't) but all of the forums that recommended it tested it and it is at 7:1 at full bellows extension (which is how I shot these).


This is the eyeball of a Hercules Beetle. 14 stacked images.

Same eyeball but from a more underneath angle

For reference, some regular macro shots of the beetle at around 1:1 and 1.5:1

 

[Markw]

It's a cool idea and you executed it flawlessly, as always. But the shots just arent aestethically appealing to me. It would be much more useful to shoot something that is in some way identifiable.

Just a thought.
Mark

 

[NateS]

It's a cool idea and you executed it flawlessly, as always. But the shots just arent aestethically appealing to me. It would be much more useful to shoot something that is in some way identifiable.

Just a thought.
Mark

I respect your opinion and honestly think some of my subjects are either "you get it" or "you don't". These images were extremely well received on the macro and micro forums I posted them on but on here nobody really cares for them. I've had this happen here before with some of my less-ordinary images. Nothing against people on this forum, I just think some of my stuff is the type that just doesn't interest the masses. I'm okay with that because I (and the photo microcography people) recognize the subject like many would with a butterfly picture.

 

[Overread16 4]

Macro bug addicts are different to artists
And yeah different people look for different things in photography


As for the shots really great results there! Out of interest was the insect alive or dead for this series? I've done some highmag stuff but not yet really done such a high magnification stack.

 

[NateS]

Macro bug addicts are different to artists
And yeah different people look for different things in photography


As for the shots really great results there! Out of interest was the insect alive or dead for this series? I've done some highmag stuff but not yet really done such a high magnification stack.

The bug was dead which is why it was my first subject. I found it in the parking lot at work. I am working on setting up a stage that I can move on front/back and up/down access to position my subjects quickly. This way I can put them to sleep with C02, cold, or ether (need to test the ether) and get shots quickly before they wake.

 

[Markw]

After a second look, I like the second one. I think if you did the same thing with the eye of a fly, it would be vastly successful.

Mark

 

[Overread16 4]

I think the trick here is that the beetle has a very shiny shell which really puts the pressure on the lighting (Esp so with focus stacking). Getting a really good diffused and soft light source can really make a big difference when you can lose a lot of the larger white areas - but its similarly very tricky to do

 

[NateS]

Yeah, lighting this setup is something that I still need to play with. Right now I'm using my diffused SB-600 but I think the consesus is to use fixed/constant lighting for these types of shots...something else to work on.

 

[Overread16 4]

Constant light or flash the diffusion is going to be the same method - constant light is preffered only because it helps greatly with composition and framing by providing light to see with (since at high magnifications the viewfinder is normally very dark)

 

[NateS]

I am not really sure what else I could do to get extra light...maybe add another flash. Right now I am trying to keep cost fairly low. I shot these with an SB-600 and a Lumiquest LQ7 5x7 softbox. The front of the softbox was about 1-2 inches from the subject. Maybe one of those fancy ping-pong ball diffusers is what I need to try to get the diffused light closer to the subject.

 

[Overread16 4]

Hmm have you heard of the concave light diffusion methods for macro work?

 

[NateS]

Hmm have you heard of the concave light diffusion methods for macro work?

I think that is similar to the ping pong ball diffuser. I will probably need something bigger than the ping pong ball as my working distance is actually pretty good considering the mags. Probably about 3-4" I think. I will google the concave light diffusion and see if I can come up with something.

 

[Overread16 4]

NateS I'll do one better - here is the source of the concave flash diffusion method:
Juza Nature Photography Forum • View topic - Some Ideas on Macro Flash Diffusion
Juza Nature Photography Forum • View topic - The reason for my macro flash diffusion techniques
Juza Nature Photography Forum • View topic - Concave Flash Diffuser Test

It might look really wordy, but the underlaying concept is really quite simple and makes a lot of sense once thought about.

also what is your optics setup - 3/4 inches is pretty darn good for such a high magnification

 

[orionmystery]

Nice high mag shots and stack.

 

[brody98]

That's incredible what did you use? I shoot Canon and have been thinking of the mpe-65 but it only goes to 5x