Flies!

[kyrontf]

I've spent some time over the last couple of days trying to get flies to cooperate with me and stay still long enough for me to get a shot or two. Here are a few of the results so far. I never realized how cool their feet look.

1.

2.

3.

4. This was a surprise. I thought the fly had some dirt stuck to its leg when I was taking the shot. Only discovered it was a pseudoscorpion when I was reviewing.

 

[Bend The Light]

They're very good, but the last one takes the biscuit.
Excellent idea, hitching a lift on a fly to get from place to place!
What lens are you using?

 

[WildDog22]

Great shots...I too am interested to find out what lens is being used!aperture and shutter speed are also of interest.

 

[jrice12]

Also, what lighting set-up are you using?

 

[cgipson1]

Very nice shots! I am wondering about your flash diffuser... very nice lighting!

 

[kyrontf]

Thanks, all.

The lens I'm using is a Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro. My lighting setup consists of the built-in flash and a diffuser inspired by a design using a foam plate I saw on orionmystery's DIY diffuser page. I used some plastic from an old container instead and roughened up the surface with sandpaper. It attaches where the lens hood normally would. Here's a picture of the setup (apologies for the bad lighting!):

@WildDog22:
Shutter speed is my flash sync of 1/160. I often go for f/11 for macro when I'm using the flash, though it depends on the DoF I'm trying to get. I think all these fly pictures were done with that.

 

[Netskimmer]

Beautiful pics! I really love that diffuser.

 

[dxqcanada2]

Great diffuser ... I have to build something like that.

Which SLT is that ... A33, A35, or A55 ?

 

[kyrontf]

Thanks Netskimmer, dxqcanada.

Great diffuser ... I have to build something like that.

Which SLT is that ... A33, A35, or A55 ?

They're very simple to make. I had a heck of a time cutting the plastic on mine though. :lmao: If you do build one and find another material that works for you, please let me know! I'm still experimenting with different ones. More opaque plastics (I tried some bucket lids) seem to give more diffused, warmer results. They eat up more of the flash power though, so not good with the built-in. I have the Sony A35.

 

[WildDog22]

I'm up for having a go at it too. I need to use a slightly different line of attack tho' because my 5DII has no built-in flash.The intention is to build a sleeve which slides over my 580EX and then expand to a sagging funnel that (possibly) drops down to lean on the front of the lens.The outer is intended to be 5 or 6mm foamcore, lined with alfoil. The diffuser, planned to be about 150mm x 200mm will use some thin translucent mylar sheet (about the same thickness as good quality photo paper (200GSM).Wish me luck - may take a week or so (not enough FC on hand), but I'll post a report and pic of the finished construct.

 

[WildDog22]

Thanks Netskimmer, dxqcanada.

Great diffuser ... I have to build something like that.

Which SLT is that ... A33, A35, or A55 ?

They're very simple to make. I had a heck of a time cutting the plastic on mine though. :lmao: If you do build one and find another material that works for you, please let me know! I'm still experimenting with different ones. More opaque plastics (I tried some bucket lids) seem to give more diffused, warmer results. They eat up more of the flash power though, so not good with the built-in. I have the Sony A35.

I've produced a totally different version (for an external Canon 580EX II) that uses a funnel like system with a diffuser panel over the end of the lens.
My diffuser is a light weight material called "Vilene" - used in dressmaking as a stiffener. I've used it before for a 500mm square light box.
It works very well, colour temp is good, and it's not too dense, so gives more illumination over the subject.
You could try cutting out a central area (leaving a suitable stiffening rim on your existing model), then taping a piece of vilene across the opening to produce a soft, but bright illumination.
What do you think?

 

[kyrontf]

I'm up for having a go at it too. I need to use a slightly different line of attack tho' because my 5DII has no built-in flash.The intention is to build a sleeve which slides over my 580EX and then expand to a sagging funnel that (possibly) drops down to lean on the front of the lens.The outer is intended to be 5 or 6mm foamcore, lined with alfoil. The diffuser, planned to be about 150mm x 200mm will use some thin translucent mylar sheet (about the same thickness as good quality photo paper (200GSM).Wish me luck - may take a week or so (not enough FC on hand), but I'll post a report and pic of the finished construct.

Luck wished. Sounds like it'll be a solid unit. Look forward to seeing it. Getting support from the lens should make it pretty stable.

I've produced a totally different version (for an external Canon 580EX II) that uses a funnel like system with a diffuser panel over the end of the lens.
My diffuser is a light weight material called "Vilene" - used in dressmaking as a stiffener. I've used it before for a 500mm square light box.
It works very well, colour temp is good, and it's not too dense, so gives more illumination over the subject.
You could try cutting out a central area (leaving a suitable stiffening rim on your existing model), then taping a piece of vilene across the opening to produce a soft, but bright illumination.
What do you think?

I considered making a frame like that when I was making my current diffuser, but didn't have a suitable material to put over it. Next time I get a chance, I'll check out vilene. Thanks!

 

[WildDog22]

I'm up for having a go at it too. I need to use a slightly different line of attack tho' because my 5DII has no built-in flash.The intention is to build a sleeve which slides over my 580EX and then expand to a sagging funnel that (possibly) drops down to lean on the front of the lens.The outer is intended to be 5 or 6mm foamcore, lined with alfoil. The diffuser, planned to be about 150mm x 200mm will use some thin translucent mylar sheet (about the same thickness as good quality photo paper (200GSM).Wish me luck - may take a week or so (not enough FC on hand), but I'll post a report and pic of the finished construct.

Luck wished. Sounds like it'll be a solid unit. Look forward to seeing it. Getting support from the lens should make it pretty stable.

I've produced a totally different version (for an external Canon 580EX II) that uses a funnel like system with a diffuser panel over the end of the lens.
My diffuser is a light weight material called "Vilene" - used in dressmaking as a stiffener. I've used it before for a 500mm square light box.
It works very well, colour temp is good, and it's not too dense, so gives more illumination over the subject.
You could try cutting out a central area (leaving a suitable stiffening rim on your existing model), then taping a piece of vilene across the opening to produce a soft, but bright illumination.
What do you think?

I considered making a frame like that when I was making my current diffuser, but didn't have a suitable material to put over it. Next time I get a chance, I'll check out vilene. Thanks!

Since I can't yet post attachments, (not enough text posts yet), I've set up a page on my web site.
to see the diffuser and some rush images made with it, go to Wild Dog Photographics

 

[kyrontf]

That's some fine DIY work there! Looks like professional build quality. Just a thought - I think it may be practical to have the diffusing surface facing somewhat downward. Assuming most subjects will be photographed at very close range, that'll help direct more of the light onto them. If it's more general purpose than that though, I think it's fine as is.

Looks like it's working very well from the pictures. Soft and even lighting!

Hopefully I'll be getting an external flash before too long, so I may try to build something along the lines of yours there. Great diffuser!

 

[WildDog22]

That's some fine DIY work there! Looks like professional build quality. Just a thought - I think it may be practical to have the diffusing surface facing somewhat downward. Assuming most subjects will be photographed at very close range, that'll help direct more of the light onto them. If it's more general purpose than that though, I think it's fine as is.

Looks like it's working very well from the pictures. Soft and even lighting!

Hopefully I'll be getting an external flash before too long, so I may try to build something along the lines of yours there. Great diffuser!

You could be right - although I've just given it a coat of fast drying matte spray paint, I'd like to build another with more attention to getting the light down lower and better joints (I just used king size scissors instead of a thin modeler's blade, so the edges area bit rough).

My big question tho', is - how are you getting close enough to the fly to get those shots - without the fly moving way?
I'm only guessing, but you'd have to be only about 20cm from the subject!! That dumb fly is asking to get swatted!

The images you shoot are lovely and sharp - what post processing /software are you using? - I use a combination of CaptureOne and CS5, or Aperture3.