Macro photography 101

[reddy1]

you guys are inspiring!

anybody here use a 10x30mm, 20x 21mm, or 30x 22mm jewelers loupe? i've got a 10x 18mm that i'm looking to replace for something better. i've got to see it closer. let's see those shots if you got one.

shot with a cheap sony digital. just figured out how to use the magnifier with it. a little menage a trois for your enjoyment....








helped me identify thirp larve

 

[jahman]

woohooo!!! That some amazing shots, just amazing!

ok some pics not as good as yours:smile:

its jack33 one week old seedling.

 

[Locoporro]

It's a real pleasure to see This Thread !!!

Thanxxx For sharing your pictures

++

Loco

 

[w33dstar]

st3 trich shot,with flash

 

[bubbleman]

Peace
Bubble man

 

[ThinkGREEN]

very nice thread and superb pictures.
Respect @ all

here`s a bee sunbathing under Fluorescent lights...

 

[Hashmasta-Kut]

What is True Macro Photography?

Although many lens manufacturers (including Canon) tend to use the "macro" its important to remember the difference between true macro photography and simple "close-up" photography. A picture of a flower up close doesn't make it a macro shot.

The true definition of macro photography, also known as "photomacrography" is production of an image that is the same size (or larger) on the film plane as in real life (lifesize)

if you photograph an insect that is 2 centimeters long at 1:1 (lifesize), it's image will be 2 centimeters long at the film plane or digital sensor.

shot of a spider at 1:1 life size

haha, i wonder what ratio i got, 10:1?

 

[Hashmasta-Kut]

really great didn't know nikon has a lens that gets closer than 1:1


greetz

umm are you kidding or what?

 

[l33t]

Hi all

Nice pics everyone

Regarding magnification levels , lets clear things up..
Nikon SLR cams (like with most companies' SLR's) don't have a consumer macro lens that goes over 1:1 Magnification on its own (meaning without using extension tubes or bellows) .Canon has tho , the Canon MP-E 65mm Macro Lens which goes up to 5:1 magnification on its own

''if you photograph an insect that is 2 centimeters long at 1:1 (lifesize), it's image will be 2 centimeters long at the film plane or digital sensor.''

Like Monkey posted , lifesize or 1:1 magnification is when the real/actual size of the subject is the same as the subject's size captured on the sensor/film plane.

Hashmasta-Kut ,
What Nikon cam & lens did you use to get that spider pic ? Was it a Compact Digicam or SLR ?

With SLR Cameras:
If you use a macro lens that goes up to 1:1 magnification ..no matter how much detail you see in the pic , it doesn't mean that you get more than 1:1 .....unless you used a bellows or extension tubes.

You have to understand that the magnification rate is irrespective of the resolution provided by the sensor.Lemmie give ya an example:
Take 2 different Nikon bodies for example and a single lens , the 60mm Micro Nikkor for instance. Lets say both bodies have 'full frame' sensors (same size sensors) but the first one is 6Mp and the second is 12Mp.. Now when the 60mm Micro Nikkor is used with both cams ..it will give 1:1 magnification in both cases! Yes..thats right..as weird as it may sound But of course the 12Mp sensor will give a far bigger pic (more pixels) ..so you capture more detail ! ..Remember both shots were captured at 1:1 magnification but with the 12Mp cam you will have captured lot more detail and will also be able to make bigger prints as well. So although both shots are 1:1 there will be a difference in the level of detail we see in the final pics when we compare them .
In simple words the mag level on its own doesn't mean much really (as information on its own esp to non-photographers ) cause a 12Mp cam with a , say 60mm lens that can only up to 1:2 mag level , will not capture more detail of the subject than a 6Mp cam with a 60mm lens that goes up to 1:1 mag .. Infact you will get the same details captured in these 2 cases !
(though note with the 1:2 mag and 12Mp cam you will have captured more of the surrounding of the subject)
note: By just looking at a pic of a subject you can never know/calculate what magnification level you had when the shot was taken! ..unless you know/remember the cam sensor size and lens' magnification level used at the time of the shot ..or is stated by the person that took the shot if it wasn't you that took it.

With Digicams , unless you know the sensor and Subject actual/real size , you can never know at what Magnification Level you are shooting your subject . With SLRs you usually know at what magnification you are shooting (cause you can shoot at the lenses max magnification level which is known , say 1:1 or say 1:2, and you know that as it says so on the lens itself!).

L33t

 

[beanny"s]

amazing ..those pics just blow my mind ...now i know what to ask santa for this years ,after all i have been a very good boy ...peace ..

 

[mixin]

all those pics are awesome!!!!

 

[FiveLeggedGoat]

 

[Dr.Know]

really great didn't know nikon has a lens that gets closer than 1:1

Nikon doesn't have any modern macro lenses that go beyond 1:1 but they did make a group of specialized macro lenses in the 1970's (macro nikkors) that covered 1:1 - 40:1 range when used in conjunction with a bellows. The 19mm nikkor that I use is optimized for 15:1-40:1 magnification


Hashmasta-Kut those coolpix4500 are great little pocket cams but they only shoot up to 1:1. L33t is correct, resolution does not equal magnification, its easy to get the 2 confused. Creepy spider pic btw


A few SSH x C99 trics to keep the thread rolling

every trichome has a soul if you look deep enough

 

[icough2getoff]

^^^ Oh my god, this thread just keeps getting better and better

 

[accessndx]

Dr. Know: awesome reflection of the Steal-your-face logo in those trichs!!! Could easily see that being the "picture of the month'. You've got my vote 4 sure.
All you other guys/gals...not shabby by a long shot either.

I keep reading references to magnification vs. resolution. I'm beginning to understand a bit more, but I'd really like some more "made for dummies" information.

I've got a digital cannon point and shoot cheapy model. I'd REALLY like to be taking the very magnified and high resolution photographs I see from l33t, 5LG, Dr. Know and others. Of course I'm fairly certain skill has alot to do with those pictures in addition to the camera/lenses (LOL).

I have been contemplating the Nikon D60 and the D90. However I have NO IDEA WHAT LENSES TO BUY.

Could someone be kind enough to give me a list of appropriate lenses to take the types of photographs we see here? I'm pretty much gonna just order whatever is suggested, so I need the: "Listen mofo, you need to buy the following..." type of list.

If you think there is a comparable camera in the same rough price range, let me know that too.

I did read that Nikon hadn't made a consumer model lens that magnifies beyond 1:1 earlier in this thread....so if you're aware of professional models that are accessible, I'm game for that too.

By the way; this thread is kickass. K+ to the people that keep it going and the cat who started the ball rollin...

 

[Elemental]

many congrats guys!!

go 5LG!!

 

[SpOoKGirL]

Wow!!!

Hi,
Nice very nice, all those pic's.

Spook

 

[purcellville]

No matter what camera you buy you will need:

1. A rock solid tripod and matching head. I am a fan of Manfrotto. Expect to spend $300-500 here. Do not go soft here. This is the single best piece of equipment you can buy to improve your image sharpness.

2. A remote shutter release

I am an old Nikon guy tried and true.

So you can and should equip yourself with the 60mm Micro for cannabis macros. ~$600
This is a 1:1 lens. I am pretty certain at some point in time there was a lens better than 1:1 but you wont find it now without a lot of looking.

Nikon uses an F-Mount for lenses, and many after market people offer lenses for this. If you really have some $$$ you can and will find a better lens.

If you want to shoot like some of the stuff l33t, Dr. Know and the other you will need to add a set of bellows to the Nikon.

Then again if you are going to spend this kind of money and do nothing but stunning macro work, Cannon has stuff worth looking at.

Good luck the money is not in the camera body. The 60 and 90 will both do the trick nicely. Get good glass, a stable steady platform, and most importantly have fun with good subject matters.

Dr. Know: awesome reflection of the Steal-your-face logo in those trichs!!! Could easily see that being the "picture of the month'. You've got my vote 4 sure.
All you other guys/gals...not shabby by a long shot either.

I keep reading references to magnification vs. resolution. I'm beginning to understand a bit more, but I'd really like some more "made for dummies" information.

I've got a digital cannon point and shoot cheapy model. I'd REALLY like to be taking the very magnified and high resolution photographs I see from l33t, 5LG, Dr. Know and others. Of course I'm fairly certain skill has alot to do with those pictures in addition to the camera/lenses (LOL).

I have been contemplating the Nikon D60 and the D90. However I have NO IDEA WHAT LENSES TO BUY.

Could someone be kind enough to give me a list of appropriate lenses to take the types of photographs we see here? I'm pretty much gonna just order whatever is suggested, so I need the: "Listen mofo, you need to buy the following..." type of list.

If you think there is a comparable camera in the same rough price range, let me know that too.

I did read that Nikon hadn't made a consumer model lens that magnifies beyond 1:1 earlier in this thread....so if you're aware of professional models that are accessible, I'm game for that too.

By the way; this thread is kickass. K+ to the people that keep it going and the cat who started the ball rollin...

 

[CTSV]

INCREDIBLE SHOTS!

INCREDIBLE SHOTS!

 

[accessndx]

No matter what camera you buy you will need:

1. A rock solid tripod and matching head. I am a fan of Manfrotto. Expect to spend $300-500 here. Do not go soft here. This is the single best piece of equipment you can buy to improve your image sharpness.

2. A remote shutter release

I am an old Nikon guy tried and true.

So you can and should equip yourself with the 60mm Micro for cannabis macros. ~$600
This is a 1:1 lens. I am pretty certain at some point in time there was a lens better than 1:1 but you wont find it now without a lot of looking.

Nikon uses an F-Mount for lenses, and many after market people offer lenses for this. If you really have some $$$ you can and will find a better lens.

If you want to shoot like some of the stuff l33t, Dr. Know and the other you will need to add a set of bellows to the Nikon.

Then again if you are going to spend this kind of money and do nothing but stunning macro work, Cannon has stuff worth looking at.

Good luck the money is not in the camera body. The 60 and 90 will both do the trick nicely. Get good glass, a stable steady platform, and most importantly have fun with good subject matters.

Just when I think I have a tentative grasp on the subject....LOL. Now all I need to do is figure out what an F-mount is and a bellows....
At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if someone told me I needed an Intergalactic Framma-Zamma-tron....

Thanks for your input bro. Any information like this is greatly appreciated.

If I hadn't expressed this accurately before, I'm a da-da-dummy with this SLR stuff. I wouldn't know my ass from my elbow with relations to lenses and the other jazz...

I'll let you know that I'm not scared to drop anywhere from 2-5K for a camera depending on what you'd get (but I wouldn't mind spending less if possible), so I'd be eager to hear about the Canons.

I'm looking for the simplicity of point and shoot, but the power, resolution, magification, and quality as specified before. If you got links, drop em' here, I'll gladly peruse your suggestions! :friends: