Skip to main content

A Test In Macro Photography

A few weeks ago I did a quick test to try out my best macro lens with a 1.5x teleconverter I had just bought. The results were good and takes me one step closer to that special level of magnification I eventually want to get to. If you don’t know much about macro photography, read this wikipedia article to get a quick overview. Eventually I’d like to have a setup were I can focus on features of small insects, such as filling a full image frame with the structure and detail of their eyes.

Here are the results:

Even with the teleconverter and limited depth of field, there is a nice amount of detail.


A larger view of the grasshopper. You can even see some damage it has in the thorax region.

Generally I put the camera into manual focus mode and completely extend the focusing tube to maximum magnification. Then I try to hold as steady as possible to frame and select what slice of image I want to be in focus. With such small objects, it’s quite difficult to stay still enough, so I think in the future I will look into getting a ball head monopod, which should help with stability yet still offer a decent amount of mobility.


The camera setup I used.

The camera setup details: 

  • Pentax K-7 camera body with battery grip.
  • Pentax D-FA 100mm WR Macro lens. This has a maximum of 1:1 magnification.
  • Kenko 1.5x Pz-AF SHQ teleconverter (currently wrapped in silicone tape to improve weather resistance)
  • Custom Brackets CB Digital-S camera flash bracket.
  • Adorama flash extension cord with a pivoting flash connector.
  • Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER flash with a plastic diffuser angled down toward the lens.

With the teleconverter I’m able to gain more magnification without having to lose working distance. I’d like to eventually get bellows, extension tubes, or a 3x teleconverter to see how the 100mm Macro lens does with even more magnification. Most of the macro setups I see use a reversed lens, which I’d eventually like to try as well. What I like about the current is setup that it has a full data connection between the lens, camera, and flash meaning I can let the camera manage most or all of the settings, so I can focus on composition.


The Kenko teleconverter wrapped in a silicone strip tape to hopefully improve weather resistance.


The camera in live view is another option for focusing if you can’t get your face close enough to the viewfinder.


Here is a macro of the maximum focusing distance of a metal tape measure.


The large silver thing on the right not in focus is a screw head showing how thin the depth of field is. The 1/4 stands for 1/4th of an inch, so there is quite a good deal of magnification happening. 








Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Nikon Z5ii Announced and My Thoughts vs the Original Z5

The Nikon Z5ii was announced recently. I haven't actually used this new camera myself, so keep that in mind. This is going to be mostly me looking at the specs and comparing it to the original Nikon Z5, which I've been using for a few years now. The original Nikon Z5 camera. Overall, the original Z5 isn't a bad camera. I've gotten it to a point where it works how I want it to and it's reliable for what I do.  My main use case is often anime and comic conventions, going there and taking photos of people in cosplay. I usually use the 40mm f/2 lens on the Z5, and it works well for that.  First-person view using the Nikon Z5 at an anime convention. Nikon Z5ii vs Z5: The Spec Sheet Comparison  Nikon has a handy comparison section on their Z5ii page, so let's break down some key differences based on that and my experience with the original. Nikon's website comparing the Z5ii and the original Z5 specifications. First up, the sensor. The Z5ii gets a backside-illumi...
Read more

Nikon D3500 Hands-On And Opinion

Today we are taking a look at the entry level standard F-mount Nikon DSLR in their line-up. This is the latest iteration in their D3000 series of cameras started in 2009.  With lower cost DSLR we can expect certain features like FP sync not being included as well as fewer direct control dials and other buttons. For this iteration it comes with a 24.2 megapixel DX (APS-C) sensor with a sensitivity range of 100 to 25600.  My video on the camera. Get the Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera through my links: Amazon.com , BHPhotoVideo.com , Used on KEH.com , Walmart.com , and eBay.com As an affiliate of these shops, I earn from qualifying purchases!  The D3500’s sensor is visible in cleaning mode. There is no shake reduction in the camera, but the kit lens does have VR. The standard optical viewfinder has 95% frame coverage with a 0.85x magnification.  The DSLR focusing system is the 11-point Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection giving you a detection ran...
Read more

Xenvo Smartphone Lens Kit Overview

I recently took a look at the Xenvo "Ultimate Smartphone Lens Kit," an add-on system designed to enhance your phone's camera capabilities. I purchased this myself; it wasn't sent to me, and I wanted to share my experiences using it. The kit aims to give you both wider angle shots and detailed macro photos using a clip-on lens system. Let's see what's included and how well it works. The Xenvo "Ultimate Smartphone Lens" Kit packaging. What's in the Box? Opening the box reveals the core components: the lens system itself, which consists of a 15x macro lens and a 0.45x wide-angle lens attachment. It's important to note that the wide-angle piece needs to be screwed onto the macro lens to function correctly; using the wide-angle part alone doesn't really produce a usable image. Inside the box: the lens, case, and accessories. You also get a plastic clip mount to attach the lens assembly to your phone. Alongside the lenses, Xenvo includes severa...
Read more