Rain macro style

***Steve*** · 11-01-2006, 08:59

This is a close up of water droplets that were forming on a leaf, in the background you can see what looks like rain but is really fine mist, almost like sea spray coming down from the sprinkler system.

Hope you like.

Arkady · 11-01-2006, 09:03

I like.

Really beautiful.

jimandasideoffries · 11-01-2006, 09:11

THAT IS BRILLIANT!! I love macro photography.

I have recently aquired a 70-200mm Carl Zeiss Jena Macro lens for my film camera but I find that the focal range is limited (I can't get close enough to the subject for a decent detailed shot). Out of interest is your shot here the original crop size or did you crop to 100% to get a bigger/closer image to fill the frame??

Anyway my question was: Is there anyway to improve the macro range using extension tubes ect? Or will I be better forking out for a proper macro lens?

***Steve*** · 11-01-2006, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimandasideoffries

THAT IS BRILLIANT!! I love macro photography.

I have recently aquired a 70-200mm Carl Zeiss Jena Macro lens for my film camera but I find that the focal range is limited (I can't get close enough to the subject for a decent detailed shot). Out of interest is your shot here the original crop size or did you crop to 100% to get a bigger/closer image to fill the frame??

Anyway my question was: Is there anyway to improve the macro range using extension tubes ect? Or will I be better forking out for a proper macro lens?

This is full frame. I used an extention tube as well as the 70-200 lens which basically doesn't effect the focal length (make things bigger) but does allow much close focusing distances at the expense of losing depth of field. This shot was taken with a 31mm extention tube and at f8 but you can see how narrow the DOF really is.

The combination can be quite tricky to get to work well as but when you get it right you can get great results.

A dedicated macro lens will be easier to use and always give better results if used correctly but a good macro lens is not cheap, a full set of extention tubes can be bought for less than £100 so it all depends on your budget and what area of photography interests you the most.

I hope that helps and thanks for the nice comment!

dod · 11-01-2006, 09:51

great shot Steve

Love the DOF.

jimandasideoffries · 11-01-2006, 10:07

Thanks, that helps a lot. It's definitely an interest of mine as and when I see them but I though I would benifit from an Zoom lens that can do macro rather than 2 seperate primes. I shall have a look at these extensions, I actually enjoy the DOF you have on your leaf shot, I think it breaks it up and makes it more interesting so that wouldn't bother me too much. I'm also on a bit of a buget at the mo so I think a Macro lens will be stretching the buget to far.

Thanks for the help steve.

By the way, what make of extension tubes are of good quality?

dod · 11-01-2006, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimandasideoffries

By the way, what make of extension tubes are of good quality?

Have a look at kenko or jessops. The main thing to remember is to get auto tubes. They will maintain the contacts between the camera and lens and give you metering and, more importantly, allow you to select smaller apertures to maximise DOF.

***Steve*** · 11-01-2006, 10:26

Extention tubes don't have any glass in them so buying a named brand is not as important as with some other areas of equipment. Make sure that you do buy a set that has the contacts running through though as otherwise you will loose AF and aperture control as well, as the camera will lose communication with the lens.

My set is made by Jessops as I needed them in a rush and they had stock. I paid £130 for a set of 3 (13,21,31mm). They have been fine and I can stack them however I want in any combination, they also work with all my lenses.

If I were buying now I would take a look at the Kenko ones, they are available through retailers in the UK (Warehouse Express etc) and are almost identical but cheaper. If you don't mind buying of Ebay I believe they can be found for around £80.

jimandasideoffries · 11-01-2006, 10:45

You guys seem to have the idea that I have autofocus!!! My cameras completely manual, a Ricoh KR-10x. Will I still need the contacts for the metering system??

minimeeze · 11-01-2006, 10:51

Great shot! I love macro photography - must do more with my macro lens!

***Steve*** · 11-01-2006, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimandasideoffries

You guys seem to have the idea that I have autofocus!!! My cameras completely manual, a Ricoh KR-10x. Will I still need the contacts for the metering system??

Sorry I am not familiar with that system

For the metering no, the camera should do that through the lens, as its manual focus as well then that doesn't matter either however if you set the aperture on the camera rather than the lens then some form of connections will be required to make things easier.

I am not sure that Kenko do extentions tubes that will fit Ricoh but SBR film will be able to make something up for you. they specialise in manufacturing different adaptors etc, they are also excellent for filters and other bits and pieces.

http://www.srbfilm.co.uk/index1.html

jimandasideoffries · 11-01-2006, 10:58

My Ricoh uses the Pentax K mount bayonet system.

***Steve*** · 11-01-2006, 11:04

Sorry still not familiar I'm afraid

Although SBR film will definately be able to help if you can't get an off the shelf set. Maybe one of the other guys (or girls to stay PC) will have more information for you?

jimandasideoffries · 11-01-2006, 11:10

Thanks for the help Steve.

Arkady · 11-01-2006, 11:11

Ouch - really struggling to remember my manual-focus Macro lessons at college 20 years ago.

I seem to recall that you multiply the metered shutter speed by the extension ring number - for a 1.5x extension ring, x the shutter speed by the same factor (a 1/30 sec exposure becomes 1/15 and so on...).
When using TTL metering, it was supposed to correct automatically, but never did, so we all used hand-held meters and calculated accordingly.

How to here:

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consu...20.shtml#50849

SammyC · 11-01-2006, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimandasideoffries

My Ricoh uses the Pentax K mount bayonet system.

My local second hand camera shop has about a billion PK mount lenses in the window. Maybe your local one has too, work a look.

Matt · 11-01-2006, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimandasideoffries

By the way, what make of extension tubes are of good quality?

You might want to consider a set of bellows.
I'm sure you would be able to pick a set up rather cheap.
These will act in a similar way to extension tubes, only you will have more control over them.
The standard 50mm prime will be ideal on the front of them.

Great shot Steve

11-01-2006, 08:59	#1 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Rain macro style This is a close up of water droplets that were forming on a leaf, in the background you can see what looks like rain but is really fine mist, almost like sea spray coming down from the sprinkler system. Hope you like.

11-01-2006, 09:11	#3 (permalink)
jimandasideoffries Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 58	THAT IS BRILLIANT!! I love macro photography. I have recently aquired a 70-200mm Carl Zeiss Jena Macro lens for my film camera but I find that the focal range is limited (I can't get close enough to the subject for a decent detailed shot). Out of interest is your shot here the original crop size or did you crop to 100% to get a bigger/closer image to fill the frame?? Anyway my question was: Is there anyway to improve the macro range using extension tubes ect? Or will I be better forking out for a proper macro lens? Last edited by jimandasideoffries : 11-01-2006 at 09:35.

11-01-2006, 09:03	#2 (permalink)
Arkady Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Aldershot, Hampshire Posts: 1,198	I like. Really beautiful.

11-01-2006, 09:51	#5 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	great shot Steve Love the DOF.

11-01-2006, 10:07	#6 (permalink)
jimandasideoffries Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 58	Thanks, that helps a lot. It's definitely an interest of mine as and when I see them but I though I would benifit from an Zoom lens that can do macro rather than 2 seperate primes. I shall have a look at these extensions, I actually enjoy the DOF you have on your leaf shot, I think it breaks it up and makes it more interesting so that wouldn't bother me too much. I'm also on a bit of a buget at the mo so I think a Macro lens will be stretching the buget to far. Thanks for the help steve. By the way, what make of extension tubes are of good quality?

11-01-2006, 10:26	#8 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Extention tubes don't have any glass in them so buying a named brand is not as important as with some other areas of equipment. Make sure that you do buy a set that has the contacts running through though as otherwise you will loose AF and aperture control as well, as the camera will lose communication with the lens. My set is made by Jessops as I needed them in a rush and they had stock. I paid £130 for a set of 3 (13,21,31mm). They have been fine and I can stack them however I want in any combination, they also work with all my lenses. If I were buying now I would take a look at the Kenko ones, they are available through retailers in the UK (Warehouse Express etc) and are almost identical but cheaper. If you don't mind buying of Ebay I believe they can be found for around £80.

11-01-2006, 10:45	#9 (permalink)
jimandasideoffries Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 58	You guys seem to have the idea that I have autofocus!!! My cameras completely manual, a Ricoh KR-10x. Will I still need the contacts for the metering system??

11-01-2006, 10:51	#10 (permalink)
minimeeze Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Aldershot, Hants Posts: 567	Great shot! I love macro photography - must do more with my macro lens!

11-01-2006, 10:58	#12 (permalink)
jimandasideoffries Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 58	My Ricoh uses the Pentax K mount bayonet system.

11-01-2006, 11:04	#13 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Sorry still not familiar I'm afraid Although SBR film will definately be able to help if you can't get an off the shelf set. Maybe one of the other guys (or girls to stay PC) will have more information for you?

11-01-2006, 11:10	#14 (permalink)
jimandasideoffries Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 58	Thanks for the help Steve.

11-01-2006, 11:11	#15 (permalink)
Arkady Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Aldershot, Hampshire Posts: 1,198	Ouch - really struggling to remember my manual-focus Macro lessons at college 20 years ago. I seem to recall that you multiply the metered shutter speed by the extension ring number - for a 1.5x extension ring, x the shutter speed by the same factor (a 1/30 sec exposure becomes 1/15 and so on...). When using TTL metering, it was supposed to correct automatically, but never did, so we all used hand-held meters and calculated accordingly. How to here: http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consu...20.shtml#50849

11-01-2006, 15:30	#18 (permalink)
jimandasideoffries Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 58