My tryst with macro photography

[Rebellious]

I had asked for suggestions here a while ago. Decided to dive into the deep end and got myself a Venus Optics Loawa 100mm 2.8 APO 2:1 macro lens for Nikon. Shame it doesn't come with a Z mount & I still have to use the FTZ adapter on my Nikon Z6. Some of my work so far. Getting there, slowly, I guess.

 

[Space Face]

Excellent set.

The lighting looks about perfect. What do you use? I have the same lens (+ MP-E 65) and use the Yongnuo YN24EX twin head flash with packing foam diffusion.

Are they stacks?

 

[Rebellious]

Excellent set.

The lighting looks about perfect. What do you use? I have the same lens (+ MP-E 65) and use the Yongnuo YN24EX twin head flash with packing foam diffusion.

Are they stacks?

Thank you. I use a Godox V860 II, with a magmod replica sphere.

Yes, most pics are stacks. I use Helicon for stacking. I tried really hard to get single shots, bu with very poor results. Hope to master that someday. For now, it is a tripod, a rail & Helicon

 

[Space Face]

Excellent set.

The lighting looks about perfect. What do you use? I have the same lens (+ MP-E 65) and use the Yongnuo YN24EX twin head flash with packing foam diffusion.

Are they stacks?

Thank you. I use a Godox V860 II, with a magmod replica sphere.

Yes, most pics are stacks. I use Helicon for stacking. I tried really hard to get single shots, bu with very poor results. Hope to master that someday. For now, it is a tripod, a rail & Helicon

Cheers.

I'll have a look at that lighting set up.

I'm the opposite as far as stacking is concerned. I've never tried it. Is it not very difficult with live subjects tho? It certainly gives a bit more to the depth of focus (I suppose that's really it's intention).

 

[Irishwhistler]

Incredible images. Well done Mate.

Mike

 

[Jeff1545 45]

Very good set......

 

[Derrel]

Looks like are using the new lens to good effect. These are quite well done.

 

[Jeff G]

Rajan, these are great! Looks like your doing quite well with the new lens.

 

[Soocom1]

Wonderful!!!!!

I am hoping to eventuality get a Laowa soon.

 

[K9Kirk]

You did well, those are some great pictures, Rajan. I have a couple questions ... Are the spiders alive in all the pictures and how close was the lens to them on average to get pics like that? I'm considering getting a lens like that.

 

[Rebellious]

Incredible images. Well done Mate.

Mike

Thank you

Very good set......

Thank you

Looks like are using the new lens to good effect. These are quite well done.

Thank you

Rajan, these are great! Looks like your doing quite well with the new lens.

Thank you

Wonderful!!!!!

I am hoping to eventuality get a Laowa soon.

Thank you. You should. The lens is true APO & gives super sharp images. Worth every penny

You did well, those are some great pictures, Rajan. I have a couple questions ... Are the spiders alive in all the pictures and how close was the lens to them on average to get pics like that? I'm considering getting a lens like that.

Except the fly, all other insects are alive. On an average somewhere between 8 to 12 inches, depending on the chosen magnification. The lens goes up to 2:1. The trick is to set the equipment up in the tripod, with the rail & remote shutter and then go looking for bugs early in the morning. The weather being cold, the insects are usually sluggish at that time of the day. All these insects were shot right in my garden in the pre-dawn twilight

 

[K9Kirk]

Thanks and good info there.

 

[Space Face]

You did well, those are some great pictures, Rajan. I have a couple questions ... Are the spiders alive in all the pictures and how close was the lens to them on average to get pics like that? I'm considering getting a lens like that.

Except the fly, all other insects are alive. On an average somewhere between 8 to 12 inches, depending on the chosen magnification. The lens goes up to 2:1. The trick is to set the equipment up in the tripod, with the rail & remote shutter and then go looking for bugs early in the morning. The weather being cold, the insects are usually sluggish at that time of the day. All these insects were shot right in my garden in the pre-dawn twilight[/QUOTE]
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Fantastic attitude and method that. I've heard of people killing or putting insects and spiders etc in the fridge to cool them down (often killing them) and trying to justify that as a valid method of wildlife photography. I find this completely abhorrent and it shows a lack of skill and understanding on how to take wildlife macro shots let alone cruel. I have no issue with killing pests but to kill or injure a living subject to get a picture of it just ain't on imo. It's refreshing that you do it how it should be done and I take my hat off to you for that.