MPE 65 - Still Learning

SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
edited November 5, 2007 in Holy Macro
I had a much better day today, picked up a head cold while in USA,
been suffering from vetigo for 2 weeks .... thank goodness it's finally subsiding!

Now my swaying isn't so bad :rofl
I was starting to think I was never gonna get the hang of this new Lens :cry

It's quite a challenge, and I'm still saying it's not as easy to use as I thought it would be.

I can see why Focus Stacking would be a great advantage for sure :nod

In the mean time I will continue practicing getting the focus right.
Currently I use Brian's swaying method where you set the lens distance slowly rock your body ever so carefully until you obtain FOCUS.

Here are todays efforts, and the Spider head is from the other night when I frightened the daylights out of myself trying to shoot this monster in the dark :huh
Only the first TWO shots are cropped the others are full frame.

All shots are hand held, Canon 40D, MPE 65, and Canon Twin Flash.
Enjoy .... Skippy :D
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Huntsman Spider

http://OzzieSkip.smugmug.com/photos/212772391-L.jpg

212772391-M.jpg

Hover Fly

http://OzzieSkip.smugmug.com/photos/213851423-L.jpg

213851423-M.jpg

Bee Feeding

http://OzzieSkip.smugmug.com/photos/213853214-L.jpg


213853214-M.jpg


Another Bee Feeding

http://OzzieSkip.smugmug.com/photos/213853579-L.jpg

213853579-M.jpg


Bubble Blowing Fly

http://OzzieSkip.smugmug.com/photos/213854113-L.jpg


213854113-M.jpg

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Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin

Comments

  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited October 28, 2007
    Hi Skippy
    Looks like you are getting on pretty well - wonderful set of shots :)

    I normally only use the swaying method upto about 2:1 magnification, after that I try where possible to actually rest the lens end on something firm (sometimes me). For example I'll often actually hold the branch or leaf the bug is on and rest the lens on that hand - then everything tends to move with the same frequency and you can slide the lens on your hand to achieve focus. One problem with this I think with the flash head being on the end of the lens is that you have to tip up the lens to a much steeper angle to achieve focus at 4 or 5:1.
    Brian V.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
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  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited October 28, 2007
    Lord Vetinari wrote:
    Hi Skippy
    Looks like you are getting on pretty well - wonderful set of shots :)

    I normally only use the swaying method upto about 2:1 magnification, after that I try where possible to actually rest the lens end on something firm (sometimes me). For example I'll often actually hold the branch or leaf the bug is on and rest the lens on that hand - then everything tends to move with the same frequency and you can slide the lens on your hand to achieve focus. One problem with this I think with the flash head being on the end of the lens is that you have to tip up the lens to a much steeper angle to achieve focus at 4 or 5:1.
    Brian V.

    I'm really enjoying the challenge Brian,
    Bee's are bountiful at the moment, they don't worry me being that close.

    Hope I can find a grasshopper or something with really cool eyes to try it out on........ I need to have a go at a few flowers too.

    Thanks for looking, and thank you for your advice, much appreciate thumb.gif
    .... Skippy :D
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

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    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited October 28, 2007
    Great macros Skippy clap.gif
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  • schmooschmoo Registered Users Posts: 8,468 Major grins
    edited October 28, 2007
    These are so good! I would never guess this lens is new to you. :oogle

    Please keep on shooting - I'd love to see your take on cool eyes and abstract flower parts. :D
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  • tleetlee Registered Users Posts: 1,090 Major grins
    edited October 28, 2007
    I really like the hover fly. I am looking forward to seeing more of your new macro lens adventures!
    T :D

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  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited October 28, 2007
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    Great macros Skippy clap.gif

    Thank you Awais, it's quite a handful to hold but I'm enjoying it :D
    .... Skippy
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited October 28, 2007
    schmoo wrote:
    These are so good! I would never guess this lens is new to you. :oogle

    Please keep on shooting - I'd love to see your take on cool eyes and abstract flower parts. :D

    Hi Schmoo, it was great to actually find some bugs to shoot.
    This year the Bee population is amazing,
    the years of drought have taken it's toll on the bugs and insects.

    I really want a grasshopper nod.gif and also some interesting flowers to shoot.

    Thanks for looking thumb.gif ........... Skippy :D
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited October 28, 2007
    tlee wrote:
    I really like the hover fly. I am looking forward to seeing more of your new macro lens adventures!

    Thank you .... next weekend I will be out there again looking for more.
    ... Skippy :D
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited October 28, 2007
    Skippy wrote:
    Thank you .... next weekend I will be out there again looking for more.
    ... Skippy :D
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    Those are excellent shots Skip you are obviously catching on fast with that new cxamera and lens. I bet you love that 40D as I think it is brilliant.
    Cheers the nooooooooo
    Bob
  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited October 29, 2007
    canon400d wrote:
    Those are excellent shots Skip you are obviously catching on fast with that new cxamera and lens. I bet you love that 40D as I think it is brilliant.
    Cheers the nooooooooo
    Bob

    Thanks Bob, I still say it's not an easy lens to learn to use.
    This lens requires you to be so close to the subject it leaves no room for error....so in that aspect it is very unforgiving.

    Glad you liked the images so far :D . ..... Skippy
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • patricia kaypatricia kay Registered Users Posts: 206 Major grins
    edited October 30, 2007
    Skippy I think your shots with your fab new lens are brilliant....such great definition...I am just learning Macro and love it....Look forward to following your journey with your new lens!

    Patricia.......:D
  • SerratorSerrator Registered Users Posts: 227 Major grins
    edited October 30, 2007
    Fantastic macros Skippy! You seem like an old pro already with your new lens.

    btw...where are some of your Glacier pics located so I can check them out?
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  • aktseaktse Registered Users Posts: 1,928 Major grins
    edited October 30, 2007
    Excellent Shots! :ivar Darren saw a bug outside the other day and thought we should save it for you!
    http://aktse.smugmug.com/
  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited October 30, 2007
    patricia kay wrote:
    Skippy I think your shots with your fab new lens are brilliant....such great definition...I am just learning Macro and love it....Look forward to following your journey with your new lens!

    Patricia.......:D

    Thank you Patricia, it's fun, frustrating at times, but I enjoy a challenge :D
    ... Skippy :D
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited October 30, 2007
    Serrator wrote:
    Fantastic macros Skippy! You seem like an old pro already with your new lens.

    btw...where are some of your Glacier pics located so I can check them out?

    Thanks Mr Aerrator.... but to tell you the truth I have hardly processed any images from Glacier.

    I've had one full day at home since I got back into Australia. rolleyes1.gif

    Having brought home a bunch of new toys to play with sorta has me distracted at the moment learning how to use them :D

    So the few I have edited so far are here ....

    http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/gallery/3664627#209386896

    .... Skippy
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited October 30, 2007
    aktse wrote:
    Excellent Shots! :ivar Darren saw a bug outside the other day and thought we should save it for you!

    Hey there April, so Darren found me a bug awwwww he's a good boy :D
    Hmmmmmmm but I wont be back in USA till October next year headscratch.gif
    I'll have to go bug hunting in UTAH and you can come with me okay.

    I miss you guys ... take care ... Skippy :D
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • DalantechDalantech Registered Users Posts: 1,519 Major grins
    edited October 31, 2007
    Looking good Skippy! thumb.gif

    Move in until the eyes are in focus, and then keep moving in until they go out, and then back up a little to bring them into sharp focus -then take the shot. Here's why it works:

    If you move in until the eyes are in focus and then press the shutter release the area of sharp focus starts at the eyes and falls somewhere between the critter and you -were you don't need it. So a good portion of the area of sharp focus could be wasted.

    Moving in until the eyes go back out of focus, and then backing up until they are clear again will place the area of sharp focus over the critter. Now you've got the entire plane of sharp focus right where you need it to get the most depth of field because it starts at the eyes and ends over the subject.

    I second Brian's remarks about shooting above 2x -I normally look for something to rest the rig on.

    Don't be afraid to stop the lens down. I wouldn't shoot at F16 above 2x, but you'd be amazed at how good F14 looks at 3x, and F9 at 4x to 5x. I've taken shots at 5x and F14 that look focus stacked...

    Also keep in mind that not all subjects look good past a certain magnification. For example; the cutoff with some of the dragons that I shoot is about 1.5x -above that and there isn't too much in the scene that's all that interesting.

    Practice, practice, and more practice. The frame counter on my Xti goes up to 9,999 before it turns over and I got it back to zero within the first two months...
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  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited October 31, 2007
    Dalantech wrote:
    Looking good Skippy! thumb.gif

    Move in until the eyes are in focus, and then keep moving in until they go out, and then back up a little to bring them into sharp focus -then take the shot. Here's why it works:

    If you move in until the eyes are in focus and then press the shutter release the area of sharp focus starts at the eyes and falls somewhere between the critter and you -were you don't need it. So a good portion of the area of sharp focus could be wasted.

    Moving in until the eyes go back out of focus, and then backing up until they are clear again will place the area of sharp focus over the critter. Now you've got the entire plane of sharp focus right where you need it to get the most depth of field because it starts at the eyes and ends over the subject.

    I second Brian's remarks about shooting above 2x -I normally look for something to rest the rig on.

    Don't be afraid to stop the lens down. I wouldn't shoot at F16 above 2x, but you'd be amazed at how good F14 looks at 3x, and F9 at 4x to 5x. I've taken shots at 5x and F14 that look focus stacked...

    Also keep in mind that not all subjects look good past a certain magnification. For example; the cutoff with some of the dragons that I shoot is about 1.5x -above that and there isn't too much in the scene that's all that interesting.

    Practice, practice, and more practice. The frame counter on my Xti goes up to 9,999 before it turns over and I got it back to zero within the first two months...

    Thanks John, I will be out trying to find more to shoot on the weekend,
    if the weather is okay.

    Glad you guys have had a heap more experience with this lens than I have, its great to be able to get advice on how to get to know ones gear better.

    .......thanks again thumb.gif .... Skippy :D
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • BigAlBigAl Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited November 3, 2007
    Very nice Skippy - I really like the spider detail.

    Are you using Liveview with the 40d - one of the reasons I'm looking to upgrade as you are supposed to be able to see the detail better.
    Birds
    Bugs
    Spiders
    Flowers
  • David_S85David_S85 Administrators Posts: 13,245 moderator
    edited November 3, 2007
    Skippy, glad to see you using and enjoying your new lens like this! Stunning shots so far too. Looking forward to more.
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  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited November 3, 2007
    BigAl wrote:
    Very nice Skippy - I really like the spider detail.

    Are you using Liveview with the 40d - one of the reasons I'm looking to upgrade as you are supposed to be able to see the detail better.

    No Im not using Live View to focus, as it's easier to hold the camera to your face when trying to focus than to hold it away from your body.

    The DOF is incredibly shallow you see so any movement results in a very very out of focus image.

    Thanks for looking Big Al.... hey the Canon 40D is an awesome camera.
    I am yet to try it out with other lens as the weather has not been all that great, however summer is almost upon us and longer days as we have just gone into Daylight Savings here.... I will be trying it out more as the weather improves.

    ... Skippy :D
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited November 3, 2007
    David_S85 wrote:
    Skippy, glad to see you using and enjoying your new lens like this! Stunning shots so far too. Looking forward to more.

    Thanks David... it's fun and frustrating all at the same time :D
    Least the tiny bugs are easier to reach now.

    Thanks for looking thumb.gif .... Skippy :D
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited November 4, 2007
    Very nice images, Skippy.

    Your lighting looks even, soft, and lovely with dark backgrounds, and no harsh highlights.

    Very nice!
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    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited November 5, 2007
    pathfinder wrote:
    Very nice images, Skippy.

    Your lighting looks even, soft, and lovely with dark backgrounds, and no harsh highlights.

    Very nice!

    Thanks Jim, but I fess up I did edit a bit of the harsh light out.
    Sometimes it's possible to do it other times its not :D .... Skippy
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    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
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