Here is a macro shot I took of some pills? How could I improve my macro shooting abilities? I am using a Nikon D7200 and an el-cheapo macro lens. I need budget ideas on how to improve my macro shots. Please critic my photo for me so I can improve my skills with my camera. I hate to use Photoshop and would rather get the picture.
I want from my camera, so I don't have to manipulate the image on my computer unless It is absolutely necessary to use Photoshop to make the picture look good.
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>>3000338
bump
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>>3000358
That picture is awesome. What lens did you use to get that close up to your subject?
>>3000338
Short answer: light.
Light your subjects like the surface of the sun, preferably with a flash and reflectors/diffusers. But you will also need some always on light source so you can see what you are doing and focus prior to using the flash.
Ring lights are good. Several cheap LED ring lights and a transformer can be useful, but are not ideal. Many companies that make always-on led ring lights try to make them look like they are strobes, they usually aren't.
An actual strobe type ring light with a 'modelling light' that can be turned on so you can see what you are doing prior to the shot, is ideal.
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Camera-Specific Properties: Equipment Make PENTAX Camera Model PENTAX K-5 Camera Software RawTherapee Photographer Andrew Wade Eglington oh-hi.info Sensing Method One-Chip Color Area Focal Length (35mm Equiv) 75 mm Image-Specific Properties: Image Width 400 Image Height 600 Compression Scheme Uncompressed Image Orientation Top, Left-Hand Horizontal Resolution 300 dpi Vertical Resolution 300 dpi Image Data Arrangement Chunky Format Image Created 2015:02:26 13:09:12 Exposure Time 1/180 sec F-Number f/8.0 Exposure Program Manual ISO Speed Rating 200 Exposure Bias 0 EV Metering Mode Pattern Flash Flash Focal Length 50.00 mm Color Space Information Uncalibrated Rendering Normal Exposure Mode Manual White Balance Auto Scene Capture Type Standard Contrast Hard Saturation Normal Sharpness Hard Subject Distance Range Close View
>>3000390
Thanks.
I used a canon 18-55 with some macro extension tubes i got off amazon for $12
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>>3000390
extension tubes are god bro
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>>3000445
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>>3000338
Focus stacking. Better macro lens.
Maybe better lighting (but it wasn't really bad in the first shot).
>>3000390
How new to life in general are you?
Jump off a tall building.
>1200$ body
>90$ lens
Oh /p/...
Just sell your current gear and get a basic dslr with a proper macro lens. Then maybe a teleconverter and make yourself a DIY ring led light.
The macro will give you a 1:1 ratio to start. The teleconverter will maximize the magnification as your focusing distance will remain but your focal llength will double.
Also you'll keep autofocus, metering and apperture control, and the loss in maximum apperture is negligible because you won't get wider than f/11.
>>3000446
> money
5x5mm (~0.2x0.2 inch) section of microprint on a new bank note.
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>>3000446
>2002
Try to find an older one with the ridges on the oiter edge.
>>3000506
only 10円 coin i have :(
here's a 1982 taiwanese dollar instead
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>>3000516
I might have a ridged one. I will look when I get home.
Just bought a new macro lens, will give it a shot. I only have shit lighting though.
>>3000338
I took this the other day. I'd love to offer critique, but I'm reading through the comments to learn more myself
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>>3000523
>I only have shit lighting though
i'm using my iphone light for focusing and the on camera flash, it's okay meng.
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>>3000534
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>>3000534
My camera has no flash.
I bought a super cheap always on ring light from amazon on prime day. Colors are off though. Maybe if I mess with white balance.
>>3000526
Not enough DoF, not enough of a subject.
Maybe if you used a microscope on the rock's surface. But as-is, it's both blurry and boring.
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https://vimeo.com/157712307
>>3000401
oh look it's the pedo
>>3000538
I was using my regular 35mm lens, but i'm looking to invest in a better lens soon. The blur bothers me too. I appreciate the feedback
>>3000523
Can't find the 10 yen, musta spent it.
Here is an old 500yen I have. Instead of a ridged work it has NIPPON and 500 printed on the side.
First macro shot with this lens, kinda shocked how thin the dof is at f8. It must be non-existent wide open. Might try again later at f22.
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>>3000459
What lens would you recommend. A lens that would work with a Nikon camera.
>>3000448
I just want to know what lens I should save up for. I'm not made of money, so I'll need a DIY solution for now. I just got a speed light flash off e-bay; I'll check for other types of light that is not insanely expensive.
>>3000516
You see those color grain stuff? That is the micro structure of the metal itself, the grains have different orientations and they disperse light differently, hence the color grain. Fun stuff.
Buy teleconverter + extension tube.
I guess this still counts as macro
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>>3000724
I ordered an extension tube. I'm going to have to wait on the teleconverter.
>>3000401
I got this ring light off e-bay.
I'll probably have to replace the bulb.
Pic related: the light I just ordered.
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>>3000675
> I just want to know what lens I should save up for.
Maybe the Tamron 90mm Macro? Or that 105mm Micro Nikkor.
(I'm on Sony with a 90mm FE. I can recommend that as well, but I figure you don't want to switch systems...)
I do most normal photos for a blog. I just wanted to get into macro so I could get close up pictures of plated foods and maybe some small items. I don't need an extream close-up now, but it would be nice to do in the future, Here is a creative macro I took of a technological device.
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Camera-Specific Properties: Equipment Make NIKON CORPORATION Camera Model NIKON D7200 Camera Software NIKON D7200 Ver.1.01 Photographer Michael Israel Maximum Lens Aperture f/3.4 Sensing Method One-Chip Color Area Color Filter Array Pattern 980 Focal Length (35mm Equiv) 60 mm Image-Specific Properties: Image Orientation Top, Left-Hand Horizontal Resolution 300 dpi Vertical Resolution 300 dpi Image Created 2016:10:07 00:59:04 Exposure Time 1/250 sec F-Number f/3.3 Exposure Program Manual ISO Speed Rating 100 Lens Aperture f/3.3 Exposure Bias 0 EV Metering Mode Pattern Light Source Unknown Flash Flash, Compulsory, Return Detected Focal Length 40.00 mm Color Space Information sRGB Image Width 6000 Image Height 4000 Rendering Normal Exposure Mode Manual White Balance Auto Scene Capture Type Standard Gain Control None Contrast Normal Saturation Normal Sharpness Normal Subject Distance Range Unknown
>>3000767
Food image.
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Camera-Specific Properties: Equipment Make NIKON CORPORATION Camera Model NIKON D7200 Camera Software Ver.1.01 Maximum Lens Aperture f/2.9 Sensing Method One-Chip Color Area Color Filter Array Pattern 980 Focal Length (35mm Equiv) 60 mm Image-Specific Properties: Image Orientation Top, Left-Hand Horizontal Resolution 300 dpi Vertical Resolution 300 dpi Image Created 2016:10:15 17:34:58 Exposure Time 1/60 sec F-Number f/3.0 Exposure Program Not Defined ISO Speed Rating 720 Exposure Bias 0 EV Metering Mode Pattern Light Source Unknown Flash Flash, Auto, Return Detected Focal Length 40.00 mm Color Space Information sRGB Image Width 6000 Image Height 4000 Rendering Normal Exposure Mode Auto White Balance Auto Scene Capture Type Standard Gain Control Low Gain Up Contrast Normal Saturation Normal Sharpness Normal Subject Distance Range Unknown
>>3000767
Product image. Guess what this is; hint it's not what you think it is unless you're a hippy than you'll know what it really is. :-)
>>3000763
Thanks for the lens suggestions. :-)
>>3000675
Generally any ~100mm macro is going to be very good quality unless there is a well-known dud, and they have to be because macro is fairly demanding of the optics, so stuff like a lack of field curvature are a given.
Just as important are lighting, a solid tripod, and optionally focus stacking... because even at f/11 your DoF is going to be extremely narrow, so rather than risking diffraction, just shift focus slightly and take a bunch of shots.
For anyone with a Canon camera, you can install the Magic Lantern firmware and it has a function that will automatically calculate and shoot a given number of shots, taking into account the DoF and stepping the focus automatically.
>>3000773
>Tamron 90mm Macro
I will invest in a quality lens when I can afford to do so. Right now I'll wait since most of my pictures are not macro photos. I just love my macros better than the other photos, so I'll save up maybe watch some videos on how to properly shoot macro and then get the equipment that I need. I also need to get a better tripod to the one for my camera is shit, luckily I was able to rig a quality tripod I have for my video camera to work with my DSLR. Getting a separate tripod for my DSLR, and maybe a good wide angle lens for landscapes is also on my bucket list. Photo gear is super expensive, so I'll have to wait to get everything; I think I'll start investing in the macro lenses because I want to start doing food photography and my macro lens is the best lens I have for photographing plates of food.
>>3000775
I'll give you that. When I shoot macro my battery drains in a night. When I shoot normal shots my battery last weeks on end but macro shots are just so awesome.
>>3000776
There is an older screwdrive version of the same optics for the Tammy SP 90 AF, also there is the manual focus Adaptall 2 version with same optics even cheaper. You wouldn't do much autofocusing at 1:1 macro since it changes too much of the macro ratio, like you adjust 10mm of the focus plane and you are at 1:2 ratio already. You will want a two way macro rail too for your tripod.
>>3000773
No problem.
>>3000776
> Right now I'll wait since most of my pictures are not macro photos.
Sure. There is even absolutely the possibility to do fairly well with some zoom and maybe prime lenses and a close-up filter lens (Marumi DHG / Raynox DCR, pick for your largest relevant lens and use cheap step-up adapter rings to put it on any other lenses), it'll give you more light to work with than an extension tube and often actually be a little sharper.
https://www.flickr.com/groups/marumi/pool/
> Getting a separate tripod for my DSLR, and maybe a good wide angle lens for landscapes is also on my bucket list.
A good enough tripod can be ordered from China for ~$60 for an Alu or ~$100 for a Carbon fiber one. You'll still want a remote trigger to avoid the smaller vibrations though and maybe one of those $10-20 macro sliders for a bit easier working at macro distances.
Get a small pedestal or table to sit your subject on. Anything to get it up to the same height of your lens. Bounce your on camera flash with foil to a reflector back on to your subject.
My photo is an example of the type of things I am trying to do with my macro lens. While not exactly a 1:1 extream close-up, it is easier for me to create photographs that look good enough for me to use as banners for my website. I cannot zoom in close enough to get the image I want with a regular lens; with a macro lens, it is easy to stage objects to create a beautiful looking banner. I followed some of your advice: I got a ring flash, I got an extender. I am going to have to wait on the new macro lens and the teleconverter--they cost too much for me to get right now.
>>3000781
Thank you. This is advice that won't break my bank. :-)
>>3000780
I already have the trigger. The cheap $10 tripod I got off e-bay came with a trigger. It was worth it because of the trigger. :-) The tripod works but I am worried it will tip over and break my camera.
>>3000815
I just got a foil reflector for my speed light flash off e-bay. Now I am not going to have to use house lights to light up my staging area. With the speed light, the foil reflector, and the ring light my new photos should look even better. I don't need a new lens yet since I can get my camera as close as I need to get it to my staging area and since the objects I state aren't moving. Once I want to photograph nature using a macro lens, I'll follow your advice and get the new lens and teleconverter.
The macro lens that I am currently using is also excellent for head shots for id cards and stuff like that.
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Camera-Specific Properties: Equipment Make NIKON CORPORATION Camera Model NIKON D7200 Camera Software Adobe Photoshop CC 2015.5 (Macintosh) Maximum Lens Aperture f/2.8 Sensing Method One-Chip Color Area Color Filter Array Pattern 974 Focal Length (35mm Equiv) 60 mm Image-Specific Properties: Image Width 6000 Image Height 4000 Number of Bits Per Component 8, 8, 8 Pixel Composition RGB Image Orientation Top, Left-Hand Horizontal Resolution 300 dpi Vertical Resolution 300 dpi Image Created 2016:10:22 12:44:00 Exposure Time 1/60 sec F-Number f/2.8 Exposure Program Not Defined ISO Speed Rating 1400 Lens Aperture f/2.8 Exposure Bias 0 EV Metering Mode Pattern Light Source Unknown Flash Flash, Auto, Return Detected Focal Length 40.00 mm Color Space Information sRGB Image Width 3000 Image Height 2400 Rendering Normal Exposure Mode Auto White Balance Auto Scene Capture Type Portrait Gain Control High Gain Up Contrast Normal Saturation Normal Sharpness Normal Subject Distance Range Unknown
>>3000338
ive had a hard time aswell. I see alittle bit of blur on the left (red bull) pill. double check your aperture and control your movement. make sure their distance from the lens is even. the small things matter with a macro lens.
>>3000526
yeah dude even you have to admit its a bit shitt
How do I shoot better, /p/? I'm not sure how to improve, or if I'm anything wrong.
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>>3000563
>2017
>Still this much projection
Oh look, the stalker.
>>3000516
Since we are posting money, Here's my example. Still waiting on my light kit.
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Camera-Specific Properties: Equipment Make NIKON CORPORATION Camera Model NIKON D7200 Camera Software Ver.1.01 Maximum Lens Aperture f/3.9 Sensing Method One-Chip Color Area Color Filter Array Pattern 17978 Focal Length (35mm Equiv) 60 mm Image-Specific Properties: Image Orientation Top, Left-Hand Horizontal Resolution 300 dpi Vertical Resolution 300 dpi Image Created 2017:01:12 08:39:19 Exposure Time 1/60 sec F-Number f/4.0 Exposure Program Not Defined ISO Speed Rating 5600 Exposure Bias 0 EV Metering Mode Pattern Light Source Unknown Flash Flash, Compulsory, Return Not Detected Focal Length 40.00 mm Color Space Information sRGB Image Width 6000 Image Height 4000 Rendering Normal Exposure Mode Auto White Balance Auto Scene Capture Type Standard Gain Control High Gain Up Contrast Normal Saturation Normal Sharpness Normal Subject Distance Range Unknown
>>3000835
Thanks, man. I guess I'll need to get a quality tripod to keep my camera steady.
>>3001355
You don't need a tripod, just do that thing like in call of duty where you snipe more steady by holding your breath.
Stop down hella hard, like f/13, and use a speedlite to light the subject. Almost all famous/good/whatev macro shots of bugs and plants and shit were all using artificial light. It's just not feasible to use natural light, and oftentimes its too soft, and there's no detail pop from hard light.
>>3001408
Sorry, to rephrase, there's less detail pop than USING hard light, like a speedlite (or sometimes direct sunshine)
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>>3000771
g, huh?
>>3000338
OP, hook it up and I'll tell you all you need to know about macro. Lol
>>3001667
It's a photograph of an insane sperg's LSD bottle. He lives to trip balls.