Just love macro (both to watch and shot!) – it allows us to see how they really look like, all the detail that we normally can’t see! Great shot with superb bokeh.
About lenses; Our close up photos are shot with a Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor and we also use flash; Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System (right; it is all Nikon for us).
In general; when it comes to macro (and in particularly for objects in motion) a close up flash is, in our opinion, required to get the right light to show all the tiny little details, and the smaller the object, the more essential. This even counts for a sunny day (which is most days when you are in Houston).
When we shot this bee ( http://photo.randiweb.com/2008/08/27/in-pollen-heaven/ ) it was around noon and bright sunshine; tried without flash but could not see the pollen as clearly –
We are quite pleased with the lens, the autofocus is a bit slow sometimes but I suppose you can’t get it all…
I am considering buying the same system, but think I will buy some lenses and a regular flash first. SB-600 vs SB-800 anyone? In general, I prefer to avoid flash altogether, but in macro I’m starting to think it is unavoidable. Btw, have you tried ring flash?
I have bought the Sigma 105mm Macro myself. It haven’t got VR or internal zoom like the Nikon 105mm, but it produces crisp pictures. In some tests it scores even better than the Nikon. But many say the Nikon is better for portraits. And while VR is nice, I wouldn’t use it for Macro. The same goes for autofocus, where the Sigma is said to be a bit slower than Nikon.
Love your shot of the bee, and would recommend everyone to go see it. Have you thought about selling your pictures or prints?
About flash….
We have two SB600 that we use on camera with diffuser or off the camera controlled wirelessly. It is a great system that is unbeliavable (for someone that used flash prior to digital) easy to use and works flawlessly.
Have not tried ringflash, but the R1 with the mounting ring http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/410484-USA/Nikon_00004804_R1_Wireless_Close_Up_Speedlight.html will give same effect.
I think a SB600 will be my next buy. I have borrowed it a couple of times, and feel helpless without it when flash is needed. There are too many things I want to buy…
Another important thing with macro shooing is the factor of wind force. Unfortunately I live in Stavanger (well, unfortunately, wind lives in Stavanger), and most days it’s almost impossible to shoot macros because nothing will stand still…
This is a bother especially since most macro shots that I try to take have to be focused manually.
And this explains why I almost never post macro images.
Må innrømme at jeg kvittet meg med min Tamron 70-300 mm.. Men den er billig!
The Tamron is cheap, but I haven’t bought it myself. And I probably won’t either. Did you get a lens to replace it?
Just love macro (both to watch and shot!) – it allows us to see how they really look like, all the detail that we normally can’t see! Great shot with superb bokeh.
About lenses; Our close up photos are shot with a Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor and we also use flash; Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System (right; it is all Nikon for us).
In general; when it comes to macro (and in particularly for objects in motion) a close up flash is, in our opinion, required to get the right light to show all the tiny little details, and the smaller the object, the more essential. This even counts for a sunny day (which is most days when you are in Houston).
When we shot this bee ( http://photo.randiweb.com/2008/08/27/in-pollen-heaven/ ) it was around noon and bright sunshine; tried without flash but could not see the pollen as clearly –
We are quite pleased with the lens, the autofocus is a bit slow sometimes but I suppose you can’t get it all…
I am considering buying the same system, but think I will buy some lenses and a regular flash first. SB-600 vs SB-800 anyone? In general, I prefer to avoid flash altogether, but in macro I’m starting to think it is unavoidable. Btw, have you tried ring flash?
I have bought the Sigma 105mm Macro myself. It haven’t got VR or internal zoom like the Nikon 105mm, but it produces crisp pictures. In some tests it scores even better than the Nikon. But many say the Nikon is better for portraits. And while VR is nice, I wouldn’t use it for Macro. The same goes for autofocus, where the Sigma is said to be a bit slower than Nikon.
Love your shot of the bee, and would recommend everyone to go see it. Have you thought about selling your pictures or prints?
About flash….
We have two SB600 that we use on camera with diffuser or off the camera controlled wirelessly. It is a great system that is unbeliavable (for someone that used flash prior to digital) easy to use and works flawlessly.
Have not tried ringflash, but the R1 with the mounting ring http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/410484-USA/Nikon_00004804_R1_Wireless_Close_Up_Speedlight.html will give same effect.
I think a SB600 will be my next buy. I have borrowed it a couple of times, and feel helpless without it when flash is needed. There are too many things I want to buy…
I replace it with a 100mm macro lens.
Nice picture with inexpensive lens by the way!
Thanks, Espen. I have bought myself the Sigma 105mm Macro lens. Love it for macro and portraits.
Another important thing with macro shooing is the factor of wind force. Unfortunately I live in Stavanger (well, unfortunately, wind lives in Stavanger), and most days it’s almost impossible to shoot macros because nothing will stand still…
This is a bother especially since most macro shots that I try to take have to be focused manually.
And this explains why I almost never post macro images.
Beautiful macro!