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Jenimal · 02-20-2012, 01:21 PM

What would be the best lens to shoot ants with?

**TER-OR** · 02-20-2012, 01:28 PM

I'd suggest one of the longer macros - 90+mm. I have an FA100 macro which is similar to the DA and DA100mm WR macros.
If the ants aren't moving you can probably make one of the reversed-lens setups. There are a couple good macro threads in the Lens discussion board here.

Adam · 02-20-2012, 01:34 PM

The longer the macro lens, the better, as you'll be able to start farther away. The Tamron 90mm might work well also - we're about to post a review of it, so stay tuned!

demp10 · 02-20-2012, 01:37 PM

I used the M 100 F4 Macro and worked fine, giving enough working distance. A ring flash also helped a lot to get a nice even illumination.

Jenimal · 02-20-2012, 01:54 PM

Your input is much appreciated.

Could I ask you what brand of ringflash you´re using? I´m thinking of investing in one but not sure what to get.

Thanx again, what friendly people you are

rhodopsin · 02-20-2012, 02:05 PM

S-M-C Bellows Takumar 1:4 100mm on bellows. Find a trail, focus on the trail, press shutter as ant(s) comes into focus...

westmill · 02-20-2012, 02:05 PM

Because of the very limited depth of feild I would use one of the 60mm macros with ringflash.
Assuming your using APSC of course. Or use a tent and carry your subject and photograph them in an artificial enviroment.
To be honnest, this is the best bet for great pics. A little secret for you....... Place them in the fridge for 15 miniutes !
it slows down there metabolism. It wont harm them though. It will prob give you about ten seconds before he sprints off again lol.
Good luck !

demp10 · 02-20-2012, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by Jenimal

Could I ask you what brand of ringflash you´re using? I´m thinking of investing in one but not sure what to get.

I use a Sunpak Auto DX 12R. It's manual but it has full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 power settings allowing great light control. It also has LED lights to help focusing.

rhodopsin · 02-20-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

...... Place them in the fridge for 15 miniutes !
it slows down their metabolism. It wont harm them though. It will prob give you about ten seconds before he sprints off again lol.
Good luck !

Place your hands in boiling water for 15 minutes!...it won't harm them...

westmill · 02-20-2012, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by rhodopsin

Place your hands in boiling water for 15 minutes!...it won't harm them...

Im not even going to ask lol

**boriscleto** · 02-20-2012, 05:01 PM - **1 Like**

It is possible to get ant pictures with a 50mm macro, but it takes a lot of luck.

Philoslothical · 02-20-2012, 05:02 PM

Chilling bugs is a great way to get better shots of timid/flighty ones. Depending on the bug and the fridge, more than 15 minutes may be necessary. As long as they have air, it won't hurt them.

I once forgot one in the fridge for nearly three months, found it when cleaning out. I assumed it would be dead, but once it warmed up a bit it was just fine. I took this shot of it when it recovered from its ordeal. Condensation inside the container must have kept it going. It had air slits cut in it.

joe.penn · 02-20-2012, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by Jenimal

Lens for ants

Ants can be shot with many different macro lenses with many different focals...

This one here was done with a Vivitar 50mm 1:1 Macro:

This little guy here was done with a Panagor 90mm 1:1 Macro:

This snap here was done with a Rikenon P 50mm 1.7 w/ Extension Tube:

This guy here was done with a Panagor 90mm 1:1 Macro:
[NOTE: This photo has been chosen to be reproduced and displayed at natural resources education centers here in Maryland]

Pentaxor · 02-22-2012, 07:02 PM

I like the Sigma 70 macro a lot for shooting bugs.

stevebrot · 02-22-2012, 11:22 PM

I cannot resist...I find a standard magnifying lens the best to use on ants...

...OH! You are wanting to PHOTOGRAPH them. I thought you were just wanting see them sizzle!

Steve

02-20-2012, 01:21 PM	#1
Jenimal New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 6	Lens for ants What would be the best lens to shoot ants with?

02-20-2012, 01:34 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	The longer the macro lens, the better, as you'll be able to start farther away. The Tamron 90mm might work well also - we're about to post a review of it, so stay tuned! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

02-20-2012, 01:54 PM	#5
Jenimal New Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Thanx dudes Your input is much appreciated. Could I ask you what brand of ringflash you´re using? I´m thinking of investing in one but not sure what to get. Thanx again, what friendly people you are

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02-20-2012, 01:28 PM	#2
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I'd suggest one of the longer macros - 90+mm. I have an FA100 macro which is similar to the DA and DA100mm WR macros. If the ants aren't moving you can probably make one of the reversed-lens setups. There are a couple good macro threads in the Lens discussion board here.

02-20-2012, 01:37 PM	#4
demp10 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta Photos: Albums Posts: 602	I used the M 100 F4 Macro and worked fine, giving enough working distance. A ring flash also helped a lot to get a nice even illumination.

02-20-2012, 02:05 PM	#6
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	S-M-C Bellows Takumar 1:4 100mm on bellows. Find a trail, focus on the trail, press shutter as ant(s) comes into focus...

02-20-2012, 02:05 PM	#7
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Because of the very limited depth of feild I would use one of the 60mm macros with ringflash. Assuming your using APSC of course. Or use a tent and carry your subject and photograph them in an artificial enviroment. To be honnest, this is the best bet for great pics. A little secret for you....... Place them in the fridge for 15 miniutes ! it slows down there metabolism. It wont harm them though. It will prob give you about ten seconds before he sprints off again lol. Good luck !

02-20-2012, 02:10 PM	#8
demp10 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta Photos: Albums Posts: 602	Originally posted by Jenimal Could I ask you what brand of ringflash you´re using? I´m thinking of investing in one but not sure what to get. I use a Sunpak Auto DX 12R. It's manual but it has full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 power settings allowing great light control. It also has LED lights to help focusing.

02-20-2012, 02:13 PM	#9
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Quote: ...... Place them in the fridge for 15 miniutes ! it slows down their metabolism. It wont harm them though. It will prob give you about ten seconds before he sprints off again lol. Good luck ! Place your hands in boiling water for 15 minutes!...it won't harm them...

02-20-2012, 02:16 PM	#10
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Originally posted by rhodopsin Place your hands in boiling water for 15 minutes!...it won't harm them... Im not even going to ask lol

02-20-2012, 05:01 PM - 1 Like	#11
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	It is possible to get ant pictures with a 50mm macro, but it takes a lot of luck.

02-20-2012, 05:02 PM	#12
Philoslothical Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,889	Chilling bugs is a great way to get better shots of timid/flighty ones. Depending on the bug and the fridge, more than 15 minutes may be necessary. As long as they have air, it won't hurt them. I once forgot one in the fridge for nearly three months, found it when cleaning out. I assumed it would be dead, but once it warmed up a bit it was just fine. I took this shot of it when it recovered from its ordeal. Condensation inside the container must have kept it going. It had air slits cut in it.

02-20-2012, 05:18 PM	#13
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	Originally posted by Jenimal Lens for ants Ants can be shot with many different macro lenses with many different focals... This one here was done with a Vivitar 50mm 1:1 Macro: This little guy here was done with a Panagor 90mm 1:1 Macro: This snap here was done with a Rikenon P 50mm 1.7 w/ Extension Tube: This guy here was done with a Panagor 90mm 1:1 Macro: [NOTE: This photo has been chosen to be reproduced and displayed at natural resources education centers here in Maryland]

02-22-2012, 07:02 PM	#14
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	I like the Sigma 70 macro a lot for shooting bugs.

02-22-2012, 11:22 PM	#15
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I cannot resist...I find a standard magnifying lens the best to use on ants... ...OH! You are wanting to PHOTOGRAPH them. I thought you were just wanting see them sizzle! Steve