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Macro diopter filters


Macro diopter filters
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1976 W: 259 N: 4103] (11585)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-07-09
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II, Digital ISO 200, Ext. Tube 36mm & Diopters (+6)
Exposure: f/11, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Sexy nature, Coccinellidae [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-07-12 15:05
Viewed: 3463
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Spotted Amber Ladybird
Hippodamia variegata?

I am not 100% sure of the specific species but figure it from the Hippodamia genus.

They are small (4mm) with 9 spots and one split by the middle line. The adult and larvae are predatory and feed mostly on aphids. They have a great potential for pest control. They were originally introduced from Europe.

I am still experimenting with the poor man’s macro equipment and bought some macro diopter filters for my 50mm lens. With a filter size of 52mm they come pretty cheap. About $20 for a set of three. (+3, +2, +1)

A close-up lens (or diopter) enables the camera to focus closer than it normally can. This means that the image will appear larger in the frame because you can get closer to it. In other words, close-ups allow you to magnify the image. A diopter is, in fact, just a magnifying glass.

Close-ups can be stacked. When doing this, the highest powered close-up should be the closest to the camera. I have stacked all three for this shot (+6). But I have read of photographers stacking up to +27. One problem with stacking is that the quality decreases because there is more glass and more light abnormalities and distortions occur. Another issue is that as the magnification increases the depth of field (DOF) decreases. With really high magnifications, the DOF becomes paper thin.

Still another important issue with close-ups is that you need to get so close to the subject. The distance from the camera’s lens to the bug is called the "working distance".

One of the techniques I would like to try in the future to increase the working distance is to follow the close-ups with a converter. In addition to the increased distance making it more likely that I can get the shot (by not disturbing the bug), it also makes it easier to get better lighting. A disadvantage of the converter though, is that some magnification is lost.
What out if you try to fit the normal UV filter to the front of the diopters it might make contact with the lens and you might end up in scratching both the UV filter and front diopter. I nearly did!

Anyway my rationale behind the whole set up is that the extension tubes gets me closer and magnifies the image. The diopters add to the magnification. Interesting enough when using all the tubes (68mm) and diopters (+6) the working distance shrinks to less that 1cm in front of the lens. It’s impractical and I found that by just using the 32mm tube with the +6 diopters the working distance is roughly 5cm. Still pretty close but workable.

I will try other shots in the near future but getting the light onto the subject with a working distance of 1-5cm is still my biggest problem. Ring flash? or similar option would sort this out.
carper, radz, marhowie, TAZ, Runnerduck, coasties, red45, dew77, lglandon, Luc, sAner, PDP, AndyB, scottevers7, chiliu, Signal-Womb, puffy has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To red45: No not yet...gerhardt 2 07-13 05:14
To PDP: Yes, you are right...gerhardt 1 07-12 18:03
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-07-12 17:29]
  • [+]

Hi Gerhard, vey nice job. The note is very interesting and helpful. Great shot of these love-struck ladybirds, excellent details and colours.

I guess the shadow of the lens is what you were talking about with what a ringflash could cure.

Well done.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2005-07-12 18:23]

Hello Gerhard,
A very interesting capture of these ladybirds playing leapfrog!
Sharp crisp details and very good DOF you've got.
A very interesting and informative note.
Well done.

TFS

Hi Gerhard. This is a good result for 3 lenses together, in clearness and also DOF. Beautiful lighting and composition too. Nice work. Regards, Felipe.

Hi Gerhard,
I think the results of your work are pretty darn good. Alot of detail in this shot. It looks like you handled some very strong light very well.
Scott

Gerhard,
Funny shot, great composition.
very useful note!
TFS, Laurent

Hi Gerhard,
Lovely pose, good lighting, crisp sharp image.
TFS!

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-07-13 3:35]

Hello Gerhard!
Very nice capture.Colors,framing,POV and composition are wonderful.TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-07-13 4:50]
  • [+]

Sexy picture Gerhard ;-) Lovely details, light and warm colours. Scene and subjects are also superb.
Talking about macro hardware - did you tied reverse lens mount adapter? Should be rather cheap and effective.

Hello Gerhard

Wow... great comprehensive note. Interesting reading. The shot is great. It has goos clear deatils. The light is a tad harsh, but I think the result you have achieved is wonderful. Congrats...

I love the new way you critique!

HI Gerhard
Sharpness: 4.5/5
Color: 5/5
DOF: 4.5/5
POV: 5/5
TFS
In a friendly way Christophe

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-07-13 6:19]

Hi Gerhard,

Pose is hilarious! :) Composition is very nice and the colors are good, albeit the light is a little hard. I do think POV & DOF are very good. Thanks for the note too. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

A great note Gerhard. An excellent image, quite bright but no major OE bits. Love the tilted comp.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1872 W: 304 N: 4301] (14733)
  • [2005-07-13 6:57]

Hello Gerhard! I like your new system.

Composition/placement: ****
Exposure: *****
Focus/sharpness: ****
DOF: ***
POV: *****
Impact: ****

Overall: ****

*Acceptable, **Average, ***Good, ****Great, *****Outstanding

p.s.: I just looked a movie called MASSAI. Very beautifull images of your country. We feel the vastitude of your savannas.

Hello Gerhard, Very nice close work. Excellent POV, great sharpness and details. You really have done your homework on the extension tube - diopter combo. A great service to many readers here at TN. Great note - Great post! Overall: ***** ;-)

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 616] (3404)
  • [2005-07-13 11:14]

Very nice macro!!Details are very good.Good composition.

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581] (8424)
  • [2005-07-13 13:35]

He Gerard,
prachtig man, kun je weer wat tijd vrijmaken?
mooie macro, uitstekende scherpte, goede kleuren, prachtig in pov en een goede dof, uitstekend werk mijn vriend,
gr. Jaap

Very nice macro, Gerhard.
With a ext.tube and close-ups rings on a 50 MM lens, I guess the working distance will be very short for a macro-flash abd I don't think you have room for it. Maybe a 1,4 converter will help to get decent working distance.
Nice colours, good details and well composed.
Well done, my friend.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-07-14 4:31]

Beautiful and interesting close-up for this pair ! Composition, colors, details and sharpness are very good ! Thanks for sharing Gerhard.

Considering there small 4mm size this is an excellent capture Gerhard. When you talk tech on TN concerning macro setups I always sit up and listen. Don't know what direction I shall take as I am tiring of the Kit lens and missing some excellent opportunities in the field. Very good work and informative note.

  • Great 
  • puffy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 291 W: 0 N: 339] (1351)
  • [2005-07-15 8:08]

Woow... superb macro shot Gerhard, by the way... I was lost 1/2 way through reading your "Diopters filter", still consider myself as a beginner in the equipment. :P

About your photo, excellent captured, great colours and details. Just WOOOOOOOW!!!

Thanks for sharing Gerhard.

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