Search found 82 matches

by joshmacro
Sun Nov 26, 2023 8:21 pm
Forum: Beginners Macro
Topic: Noobie with new lens and new concerns
Replies: 5
Views: 5810

Re: Noobie with new lens and new concerns

Hi, my first post and a post I needed to make concerning my new lens, the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro attached to a Nikon D300. The concern I have is that the Sigma is a rather heavy lens to find when I affix my set up to a tripod I am experiencing lens droop to think I could do better if ...
by joshmacro
Mon Aug 14, 2023 2:01 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Macro mix from the weekend
Replies: 5
Views: 2225

Re: Macro mix from the weekend

Fantastic images as usual. What are your camera settings (ISO, shutter speed, etc.)?
by joshmacro
Thu Feb 09, 2023 5:09 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: New olympus 90mm 2x macro
Replies: 114
Views: 77471

Re: New olympus 90mm 2x macro

I think there is no comparison between the Laowa and this Olympus, and autofocus makes a huge difference. At 1x-2x we are almost always going to stack. For the Laowa that means we'll need a rail, and it will be slow. For the Oly we can use the extremely fast automatic focus stacking provided by MFT...
by joshmacro
Wed Dec 14, 2022 4:11 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Best Lens/Accessory Option to Achieve 1.5-2:1 Magnification with Micro Four Thirds?
Replies: 25
Views: 3815

Re: Best Lens/Accessory Option to Achieve 1.5-2:1 Magnification with Micro Four Thirds?

Additionally, the Oly teleconverter is not built for the 60mm macro so it requires tweaking the equipment which is not fun (i.e. you need an extension tube between the teleconverter and the lens). I hadn't known that. If so, it may not be a great option. But extension tubes eat up working distance....
by joshmacro
Tue Dec 13, 2022 7:15 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Best Lens/Accessory Option to Achieve 1.5-2:1 Magnification with Micro Four Thirds?
Replies: 25
Views: 3815

Re: Best Lens/Accessory Option to Achieve 1.5-2:1 Magnification with Micro Four Thirds?

Hi Simon. Having used an E-M5 II and the M.Zuiko 60mm macro for quite a while, I can strongly recommend getting an auto extension tubes to get to 1.5:1 and using the Raynox DCR-250 to get to 2:1. The 60mm macro pairs incredibly well with the Raynox. Buy a step-down ring to connect the Raynox to the ...
by joshmacro
Fri Dec 09, 2022 3:26 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Mixed bag | Macros
Replies: 4
Views: 1273

Re: Mixed bag | Macros

Fantastic photos as usual. What are your f-stop and ISO for these? Are any of these stacked?
by joshmacro
Wed Oct 05, 2022 4:30 pm
Forum: Beginners Macro
Topic: 5x with a budget rail and tripod?
Replies: 18
Views: 5540

Re: 5x with a budget rail and tripod?

Thanks for linking to this!! If I understand correctly, using the rear bellows would enable 25x larger step size at 5x magnification. I expect that for my particular case though, it then makes no net difference. My rail gives a 1mm step per rotation and the bellows a 25mm step according to the link...
by joshmacro
Mon Oct 03, 2022 2:27 pm
Forum: Beginners Macro
Topic: 5x with a budget rail and tripod?
Replies: 18
Views: 5540

Re: 5x with a budget rail and tripod?

There are tradeoffs in using rear bellows focusing. At low magnification it works wonderfully, with the additional benefit that because the lens entrance pupil does not move, there are no changes in perspective that can degrade the stacked result. However, at higher magnification you'll find that r...
by joshmacro
Thu Sep 29, 2022 5:26 pm
Forum: Beginners Macro
Topic: 5x with a budget rail and tripod?
Replies: 18
Views: 5540

Re: 5x with a budget rail and tripod?

Thanks for the sample image! The "auto bellows" were suggested by joshmacro in response to the question in my topic opening. I'm still not quite sure what the major benefit of this would be. Chris - the "auto bellows" I referred to are not automatic. That's just the name. Good bellows to get are Ca...
by joshmacro
Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:21 pm
Forum: Beginners Macro
Topic: 5x with a budget rail and tripod?
Replies: 18
Views: 5540

Re: 5x with a budget rail and tripod?

Chris C - If you are doing studio work then invest in a good bellows (like a Canon Auto Bellows) and either a ~4x microscope objective (as mentioned in this thread) or enlarger lens (like the El-Nikkor 50mm F/2.8 N) to start with. I think starting off with an enlarger lens is better but that's just ...
by joshmacro
Sat Sep 10, 2022 4:07 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Moth Wings
Replies: 0
Views: 569

Moth Wings

Some moth wings. All with Oly OM-D E-M5 Mark II on bellows with Nikon Plan 10x/0.30 160/0.17. Lighting: Multiple flashes bounced with Alzo diffusion fabric surrounding subject. Stacks of 100, 214 and 78 images for #s 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
by joshmacro
Tue Aug 30, 2022 3:14 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: A simple setup
Replies: 2
Views: 794

Re: A simple setup

Very elegant and attractive solution. Nice job! Similarly, living in an apartment I need a rig that I could store in a closet when not in use. Over the years I have tried several options. I first tried a wooden rig (your woodworking skills are far superior to mine!) but I ended up always needing to ...
by joshmacro
Mon Aug 22, 2022 8:50 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Polishing the technique! | Macros
Replies: 3
Views: 1193

Re: Polishing the technique! | Macros

Very nice. What are your camera settings on these? Thanks.
by joshmacro
Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:41 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Recent macros - II
Replies: 3
Views: 1045

Re: Recent macros - II

Love #2. Stunning.
by joshmacro
Thu Mar 24, 2022 1:49 pm
Forum: Equipment Exchange
Topic: FS: Continuous Lighting Set
Replies: 0
Views: 627

FS: Continuous Lighting Set

Continuous lighting set for sale. 4 COB LED bulbs (high CRI, high lumen) with flexible gooseneck light sockets. Comes with McMaster-Carr adapters so the goosenecks can attach to an imperial optical breadboard or anything that accepts a 1/4" screw. PM me if interested or for any questions/photos/more...