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08-01-2014, 09:02 PM - 1 Like   #1
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O.K., my first serious attempt at macro bugs!

I used a Pentax K2000, a Takumar (baoynet) f:2.5, 135mm lens, the smallest extension tube (#1) and the adapter. I caught a praying mantis in my yard, brought it in and placed it on some straw flowers in a vase and put it on my homemade backdrop-holding gizmo. I used one of the small, high intensity flashlights for illumination.... that and the overhead incandescent lights. I had the WB set for outside shade. That seemed to give me the best color rendition. I tried several different settings, but that was the one I liked the best.

1/60th of a second, f:22, ISO 400. The little flashlight gives off one heck of a lot of light and I can see where this will be among the items I will always have handy when trying any of this type of photography. I also use it for most of my still life stuff due to failing eyesight. It helps me tremendously when trying to fine focus.... it's almost indespensable.

I tried a couple of different lenses, but settled on the 135mm. It allowed me to get back away a good distance from the mantis, which was, by the way, very cooperative. I've since released him back on my tomato plants so he can resume his watch!

Anyway, I was quite pleased with my first real attempt at this demanding area of photography. It's amazing at all the different combinations. I've yet to try the close-up lenses, but.... that's for another time.

Dewman
SW Idaho


Last edited by Dewman; 12-16-2014 at 01:02 AM.
08-01-2014, 09:26 PM   #2
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Very nice!
08-01-2014, 09:29 PM   #3
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Wow, that's a great start!
08-01-2014, 09:38 PM   #4
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One heckuva great start -- nice man

08-02-2014, 12:26 AM   #5
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I like the composition of the second very much.
08-02-2014, 12:40 AM   #6
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Great bokeh in those - especially 1st one - Well done !!
,,,
'>' manntax
08-02-2014, 04:02 AM   #7
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Very very good shots. Congratulations. I specially like the second. The depth of field, the color, the composition.

08-02-2014, 08:50 AM   #8
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Thanks for the kind comments, guys! Yep, I was happy that my first attempt turned out as well as it did. The flashlight illumination is a neat trick, but the thing puts out SO much light that it has a tendency to really wash out the subject! The color of the mantis was pretty dull, as the photos show, but the overall lighting could definitely use some work. I like being able to use a fairly high shutter speed because it allows me to stop down a lot and retain quite a bit of DOF for macro, but the bokeh is much better in the first photo. Aperture was f:8, @ 1/60th,IIRC. Second was f:22 @ 1/10th. But, I suppose the same problem would present itself when using flash.

Dewman
SW Idaho
08-02-2014, 07:14 PM   #9
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Thats a damned good share .
At this rate you are going to make a lot of people look ( well , your pictures will be fantastic )
08-14-2014, 04:44 AM   #10
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Congratulations. Thanks for sharing your photos and technique.
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