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I need a ring flash!


I need a ring flash!
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2225 W: 268 N: 4166] (11529)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-06-20
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II, Digital RAW 200, Kenko Extension tubes (68mm)
Exposure: f/22, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Awestruck! [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-06-20 17:06
Viewed: 2512
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 70
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
House Fly
Musca domestica

I am not 100% sure of the ID. Would appreciate it if somebody could set me straight.

I recently swapped my old Tamron 70-300mm for a new Canon EF 50mm F1.8 lens. Since I acquired the Canon 100-400mm lens the old Tamron became redundant. I figured that the 50mm faster lens could give me nice sunset/landscape photos. And as you know by now I love to use the extension tubes to get me closer and a larger magnification factor.

Extension tubes provide an attractive an inexpensive way of adding a Macro capability to your camera set up. I have been learning about the peculiarities and limitations of extension tubes for some time now and wanted to share some of the things I've learned.

First of all, let me clear up a misunderstanding that some people have. An extension tube is very, very different from a tele-extender or tele-converter and serves a very different purpose. A teleconverter is designed to increase the apparent focal length of a lens. A 100mm lens with a 2x converter becomes a 200mm lens. An extension tube is designed to increase image size on the film or sensor so that macro / extreme close up photos can be taken. This capability comes at the cost of stand off distance.

You may have noticed that the longer the lens, the lesser amount of magnification the extension tube gets you. This is because of how an extension tube works. Every lens has a minimum focus distance as part of its characteristics. An extension tube radically reduces that minimum focal distance. In fact it creates a focus zone (a fairly narrow focus zone) within which an object may be in focus. For example on the 50mm lens the minimum focus distance is reduced down to about 1cm using all the rings, and the depth of field becomes so narrow that you'd best be pretty close to that distance when you attempt to focus the shot. Also, as you get closer to the focus object the Depth of Field (DOF) gets very narrow. This requires some very precise work to get your entire subject in focus with the extension tube mounted on the shorter focal length lenses.

The last important factor is magnification. As a rule if thumb the total length (lens focal distance plus length of tubes) divided by the focal distance gives one a good idea as to the magnification factor. On the 50mm lens using 68mm of rings it yields a magnification of 2,3 times (50mm+68mm/50mm). Twice the magnification most macro lenses can attain. But I have to stress that the DOF becomes very very small.

I am happy I got the extension rings and the only problem I have using the new 50mm lens is that the lens is so short (and the focal distance so short) that the flash shoots over the subject. I can’t get enough light onto the subject. I hope that a ring flash will sort this out though. Do you think it will? I am pleased to report that I can still do this handheld although it’s much harder given the smaller DOF.

Hope you like it.
AdrianW, liquidsunshine, scottevers7, Fisher, puffy, chiliu, livios, ellis49, carper, radz, TAZ, AndyB, red45, JeanMichel, coasties, dew77, sAner, Signal-Womb, Janice, marhowie, annagrace, naki, Comandante, extramundi, bedford67, Luc, Clochette, shaharbv, markula, flagman has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To AdrianW: Thank you for the kind words...gerhardt 1 06-21 00:53
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144] (11868)
  • [2005-06-20 17:18]

Encore une superbe macro, TOUT EST PAFAITS.

FÉLICIATIONS !!!

Wonderful shot Gerhard,
Superb details, sharpness and colors. Nicely exposed and great DOF. Very interesting note, I've been looking at extension tubes myself.
Thanks for posting

Great shot Gerhard! The amount of detail you've captured here is nothing short of amazing. Really impressive! So, what's to critique - not much, maybe the background could have fewer spots - are they sensor crud, or really on the background? Perhaps I'd have liked the entire shadow in frame maybe? Those are really minor nits though, this is truly impressive! Anyway, an excellent capture :-D

P.S. Not sure about a ringflash, the big drawback is that they're not as powerful as a big gun - my 550EX has far greater reach than my MT-24EX does. Also remember that the Canon ringflashes are designed to fit certain lenses, the MT-24 fits the 58mm size of the 100mm Macro - or the 200mm Macro with the optional 72mm adapter. Unfortunately they don't screw onto the lens, they clip, so you can't use stepping rings... If I were to buy a new flash setup based on my experience I'd be looking at a pair of 550EX's (or better, 580s) on a Novoflex UNIMARM

Hi Gerhard,

This is a superb shot. far greater than the standard 1:1 macro.. The color and detail are amazing. You are mastering the extension tubes very well. You are doing great work!!!

Scott

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-06-20 18:37]

I see that you have come up with the technicalities of what I was going through with the Fuji and Binoc lens for macros.
Thanks for explaining that in scientific terms.:) :)
My interpretation, use your body as a bellows and the focus and DOF are very limited. LOL
How's that Gerhard? Haha

Hey, excellent shot, a beauty and very crisp, sharp and detailed.

Flash, how about a card taped to the flash, bend it so that it bounces down to subject. Want a warm color instead of a bright white, use an off white card. Want less light, diffuse it with tissue paper. Hope this helps you come up with a home made contraption until you can afford the bucks, oops the Ran. :) :)
I have the Canon 580EX Hehehe

Mike

  • Great 
  • puffy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 314 W: 0 N: 352] (1349)
  • [2005-06-20 19:48]

Woow Gerhard, this is excellent macro shot, not that I like flys.. :P but this is a great shot! superb details and sharpness... Thanks for sharing mate...

  • Great 
  • chiliu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1549 W: 0 N: 1158] (6414)
  • [2005-06-20 20:50]

How close you can go,Gerhard?
Extremely sharp with crisp clear.SUPERB!
TFS!

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2306 W: 324 N: 4306] (16850)
  • [2005-06-20 23:20]

Gerhard, great details to show us such a common insect.

Your note teaches a lot (even if you ask us things I cannot help you about), your shot is a shooting lesson.

Great macro, Gerhard.
You handle the ext.tubes like a pro.
Great sharpness, well composed and nice colours.
A great note.
Excellent work, my friend.

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3068 W: 231 N: 5840] (19618)
  • [2005-06-21 0:34]

Gerhard, this shot is truly awesome! I am speechless! It is incredible. Congratulations! TFS. : )

Very good lesson in macro photography.
the discussion handheld, or tripod, is a personal one. I go for the handheld. I dont's see myself chasing a butterfly or dragonfly with a tripod unther my camera. Yes,the light is very important, that's a fact. Important for the succes of the photo. I think realy that a ring give you the solution. Very good subject, I like it very much. The fly is almost perfect, fantastic details, great pov, very good job my friend,
gr. Jaap

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 601 W: 11 N: 599] (3161)
  • [2005-06-21 1:06]

Fantastic shot,the DOF is amazing!

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1592 W: 32 N: 1361] (3978)
  • [2005-06-21 2:00]

A very nice macro Gerhard,
The details are excellent,very sharp.
I like the composition and the DOF is great.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 50 N: 3190] (10896)
  • [2005-06-21 3:30]

Wow ! What great quality ! First I tought to a microscope. Superb details, sharpness and colors. And your technical note is interesting too ! TFS & congratulations Gerhard.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2806 W: 75 N: 7857] (26309)
  • [2005-06-21 4:12]

Well, well, well... Gerhard! This isn't photo - this is ultraprecise 3D laser scan ;-) Amazing details! Subject is very well known but I see it for first time with such level of details. Great post!

Hi Gerhard!
This is INCRIBILE photo! Perfect details and just amazing close-up!
Very, very well!

This is perfect, Gerhard. Despite the limitations - very well explained in your note - you show here the state of the art in macrophotography. Such a large DOF with so many details is amazing. I like the soft and very pleasant light on the subject (a musca domestica to me), allowing to show the wings subtle details. What's also noticeable here, is the total absence of harsh contrasts and colors. Achieving this handheld is also a performance. IMO, this sets the standard for a very good work. Hat's off, my friend!

hello:) what a beauty photo:) I love this shot:) exellent details:) and pose of this fly:) great work:)

TFS

Hi Gerhard

Wow!! This is a magnificent macro. Very impressive shot. Loaded with crips, clear tack shaqrp detail. I am, as always, awestruck by your photography. Just perfect! Thanks.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2005-06-21 5:30]

Hello Gerhard!
Very nice capture of this ugly insect.Details are amazing clear.Sharpness,colors,framing and composition are excellent.I think,you dont need any ringflash.TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1654 W: 79 N: 1456] (4742)
  • [2005-06-21 6:08]

Hello Gerhard,

This is a wonderful and very close macro! :)Details are very good. The note was really interesting to read and gave me a very good insight in the troubles you experience. It's unbelievable that you can shoot images like this handheld. Five mins ago the Sigma AF 105 f/2.8 EX DG Macro my gf and I ordered arrived and hopefully we will be able to try it out tonight. :)

TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Very impressive Macro Gerhard, I seem to be one of the few that has not got a macro setup for my DSLR other than my kit lens. Your article makes for an interesting read seeing as I am thinking of the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 lens. Anyhow this is an amazing macro, certainly one of the best Iv seen on TN. Congratulations.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3414 W: 144 N: 5803] (17197)
  • [2005-06-21 6:38]

Absolutely stunning Gerhard. This looks so BIG, so SHARP and REAL! Superb result. Well done.

Another absolutely amazing post. I have never seen such perfect detail on the common fly. You are so skilled!

Alli

Hello Gerhard!
Superb close up.Details are amazing.Colors,lighting,framing are perfect.Thanks for sharing.

That is it Gerhard!!!!
This is a excellent Picture. Excellent details & sharpness, perfect composition and great colours.
Fantastic work, its a very good job.
WEll done.

Razor sharp Gerhard. In this case the highly reflective surface you shot this fly on reflected enough light up to bring out all the details over the entire subject. The shadow actually is a nice effect here but of course would be eliminated with ring-flash. And yes, a ring flash will "sort it out"..I think macro is difficult enough as it is..Working distance to subject is the main issue IMO. How close were you from lens end to subject on this one with your ext. tube??
Excellent work my friend!!

  • Great 
  • naki Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 421 W: 27 N: 783] (2688)
  • [2005-06-22 13:51]

Hi Gerhard, magnificent DoF and details. Even on the shadows you got great details. With a ring flash you get more vivid colours IMO.
Well done.

Waow! very impressive macro.
Superb details!

Great capture, excellent quality and very clear shot. You made beautiful this one, Gerhard. And big, how I like them :D I also enjoyed very much you previous posts. A pleasure to look at your work. Regards, Felipe.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 366 N: 3848] (11751)
  • [2005-06-24 6:51]

Lovely shot Gerhard, the details are superb and I love the reflections. Great work, well done.

Superb macro shot. i dont think there is something which you could have done better.

thanks

Hello Gerhard,

Superb macro! Beautiful example of what a good photographer can carry out with a subject as common as a fly!
Beautiful composition: returned luminosity and colors are fantastic.
The comment is very interesting.TFS.

Superbe macro! Bel exemple de ce qu'un bon photographe peut réaliser avec un sujet aussi commun qu'une mouche!
Belle composition: le rendu de la luminosité et des couleurs est fantastique.
Le commentaire est très intéressant.
Merci pour le partage.

Cordially, J-Patrick

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2058 W: 316 N: 4403] (14711)
  • [2005-07-01 1:56]

Hello Gerhard!
Personal assessment of the photo: you play with perfection.
Very strong visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thank you very much for sharing.

Well Gerhard, I think this is the most beautiful fly I've ever seen.. The details you captured are breathtaking. Who ever had the opportunity to watching a fly so close ?... This is a nice gift for TN members, thank you.
Thank you also for the technical note, very interesting..

Great Macro.
As for flash buy a canon gun like the 580ex and a stofen omni bounce for the gun. You can mount it on you camera and it will bounce the light on your Macros shots. You can also buy the off Camera flash lead, that will let you use the flash off Camera hot shoe. You could also buy a 2nd cheap flash gun and a slave unit. Then you have 2 guns to position how you want. It will cost half the price of a ring flash and look more natural.

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