Macro Extended M50 f1.7(8 pics)

Extended M50 f1.7(8 pics) · **1 Like**

Here a few recent macro's, made with a SMC M50 f1.7 on macro extension rings. Please feel free to comment:
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

ohce · 07-15-2012, 08:43 AM

Incredible! Never thought the M50 lens could deliver such beautiful images. I used to use extension tube with my FA 50/F1.4. But finally gave up because the lens had to be so close to the subject. So I am wondering how close the M50 lens to the subjects?

**MSL** · 07-15-2012, 08:43 AM

All fantastic. The contrasting colors on the first three are particularly eye catching.
I'm amazed you could get this close - most of the bugs near my scatter long before I'm any where near them.
Did you use a flash?

**Hornet** · 07-15-2012, 08:49 AM

Outstanding images. Proof that extension tubes are really all that is needed to achieve excellent close ups. I am particularly impressed by the lighting - I assume you are using off-camera flash with some sort of diffuser? And kudos for adding the scientific names!

Snipes · 07-15-2012, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by ohce

So I am wondering how close the M50 lens to the subjects?

Pretty close, about 3 inches when I use 3 rings. The hoverfly's are very approachable, I can even touch them and they don't fly away. The butterflies are not that easy, so I approach them very slowly, with my finger on the shutter release...

Originally posted by MSL

Did you use a flash?

Only one of these is without flash, that's the Tree bumblebee. The rest is with flash(EF-610 DG ST).

This is my set-up

charliezap · 07-15-2012, 08:54 AM

Very excellent shots well done.--charliezap

daacon · 07-15-2012, 09:08 AM

Amazing I feel as if I am the flower.

bluestringer · 07-15-2012, 02:17 PM

Fantastic. Beautiful. Amazing, all of the above.

**luftfluss** · 07-15-2012, 03:18 PM

Stunning, and crystalline.

**eaglem** · 07-15-2012, 03:20 PM

Excellent series.

GeoJerry · 07-16-2012, 12:04 AM

Wow, these are all remarkable. I especially like #7 but would put any one of them on my wall (if I had any room left).
The exposures are perfect... do you take these in P mode or aperture, and let the camera determine the proper flash output, or was it trial and error to get the right exposures? Very impressive. I bookmarked your equipment in the hope I can do one of these at some point.

Snipes · 07-16-2012, 07:31 AM

@GeoJerry: The camera was in M-mode. My M50 is almost always at f11. How to use the flash was trial and error, so now that's on manual 1/16 with a Sto-fen diffuser and the wide-angle diffuser also deployed.

GeoJerry · 07-16-2012, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by Snipes

@GeoJerry: The camera was in M-mode. My M50 is almost always at f11. How to use the flash was trial and error, so now that's on manual 1/16 with a Sto-fen diffuser and the wide-angle diffuser also deployed.

OK, gets great results! But do you think it's a lot better than a ring flash? (I haven't tried either).

Snipes · 07-17-2012, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by GeoJerry

OK, gets great results! But do you think it's a lot better than a ring flash? (I haven't tried either).

Don't know, never used a ring flash. Now the flash sometimes is too hard, i.e. when shooting white flowers. I could squeeze the diaphragm a bit more, but then it's hard too see because it gets too dark. So most of the time I under-expose with the EV button.

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07-15-2012, 08:43 AM	#2
ohce Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 477	Incredible! Never thought the M50 lens could deliver such beautiful images. I used to use extension tube with my FA 50/F1.4. But finally gave up because the lens had to be so close to the subject. So I am wondering how close the M50 lens to the subjects?

07-15-2012, 08:43 AM	#3
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	All fantastic. The contrasting colors on the first three are particularly eye catching. I'm amazed you could get this close - most of the bugs near my scatter long before I'm any where near them. Did you use a flash?

07-15-2012, 08:49 AM	#4
Hornet Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 169	Outstanding images. Proof that extension tubes are really all that is needed to achieve excellent close ups. I am particularly impressed by the lighting - I assume you are using off-camera flash with some sort of diffuser? And kudos for adding the scientific names!

07-15-2012, 08:50 AM	#5
Snipes Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Spijkenisse, Zuid-Holland Photos: Gallery Posts: 176 Original Poster	Originally posted by ohce So I am wondering how close the M50 lens to the subjects? Pretty close, about 3 inches when I use 3 rings. The hoverfly's are very approachable, I can even touch them and they don't fly away. The butterflies are not that easy, so I approach them very slowly, with my finger on the shutter release... Originally posted by MSL Did you use a flash? Only one of these is without flash, that's the Tree bumblebee. The rest is with flash(EF-610 DG ST). This is my set-up

07-15-2012, 08:54 AM	#6
charliezap Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: saugus ma Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,686	Very excellent shots well done.--charliezap

07-15-2012, 09:08 AM	#7
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	Amazing I feel as if I am the flower.

07-15-2012, 02:17 PM	#8
bluestringer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cotton fields of South Georgia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,748	Fantastic. Beautiful. Amazing, all of the above.

07-15-2012, 03:18 PM	#9
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Stunning, and crystalline.

07-15-2012, 03:20 PM	#10
eaglem Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 43,146	Excellent series.

07-16-2012, 12:04 AM	#11
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158	Wow, these are all remarkable. I especially like #7 but would put any one of them on my wall (if I had any room left). The exposures are perfect... do you take these in P mode or aperture, and let the camera determine the proper flash output, or was it trial and error to get the right exposures? Very impressive. I bookmarked your equipment in the hope I can do one of these at some point.

07-16-2012, 07:31 AM	#12
Snipes Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Spijkenisse, Zuid-Holland Photos: Gallery Posts: 176 Original Poster	@GeoJerry: The camera was in M-mode. My M50 is almost always at f11. How to use the flash was trial and error, so now that's on manual 1/16 with a Sto-fen diffuser and the wide-angle diffuser also deployed.

07-16-2012, 02:23 PM	#13
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158	Originally posted by Snipes @GeoJerry: The camera was in M-mode. My M50 is almost always at f11. How to use the flash was trial and error, so now that's on manual 1/16 with a Sto-fen diffuser and the wide-angle diffuser also deployed. OK, gets great results! But do you think it's a lot better than a ring flash? (I haven't tried either).

07-17-2012, 07:36 AM	#14
Snipes Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Spijkenisse, Zuid-Holland Photos: Gallery Posts: 176 Original Poster	Originally posted by GeoJerry OK, gets great results! But do you think it's a lot better than a ring flash? (I haven't tried either). Don't know, never used a ring flash. Now the flash sometimes is too hard, i.e. when shooting white flowers. I could squeeze the diaphragm a bit more, but then it's hard too see because it gets too dark. So most of the time I under-expose with the EV button.