Macro The Charliezap Challenge

The Charliezap Challenge · **1 Like**

I was getting frustrated by shallow DOF in my macro attempts, and charliezap recommended that I try the K-5's on-camera flash. I was a little skeptical at first, thinking that all of the pictures would be blown out or at least too harsh (and some were), but although the results were inconsistent, this simple technique can work very well.

Here are a bunch of the results. These were mostly shot close to 1/180, f/18, ISO 200, as charliezap recommended, with variations as appropriate. All were shot in manual and hand held.

This one shows the effects of slightly harsh lighting.

Waxy plants can give off a bit of an unwanted sheen or reflection.

Conclusions: I owe charliezap a beer.

charliezap · 08-08-2012, 05:41 PM

Now you're cooking.

When a shot is taken that's in the sun and the flash provides the "capture light" it only gets better.I have a Vivitar flash but the K5's flash really is an asset.The bottom line being--you can take a sunlit macro shot at f/8 or so but you can get that same shot at F/18 with flash that is hardly noticeable with the ambient light. I like what you're doing "grasshopper" --charliezap

deaning · 08-08-2012, 05:52 PM

Bugger! I just ordered a ring flash. You can almost feel the texture in these shots, think I better go delete my macro thread!

wcchamp18 · 08-08-2012, 06:20 PM

Very well done and thanks to Charlie for the lesson!

daacon · 08-08-2012, 06:34 PM

Looks good Jerry did an experiment myself I do find the 540 flash even diffused too strong (probalby turn down the power might work) however the on board looks pretty good - now maybe DIY some kind of diffuse unit for that ....

**Bob Harris** · 08-08-2012, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by deaning

Bugger! I just ordered a ring flash. You can almost feel the texture in these shots, think I better go delete my macro thread!

Take a look at Dennis threads using a ring flash, he gets excellent results "bluestringer".
Jerry these are great, a real learning experience for all of us, soon we will all be sending royalty money to Charlie I bet.

GeoJerry · 08-09-2012, 12:41 AM

Originally posted by charliezap

you can take a sunlit macro shot at f/8 or so but you can get that same shot at F/18 with flash that is hardly noticeable with the ambient light. I like what you're doing "grasshopper"

Thanks! And as an extra bonus, the background is darkened with the stopped down aperture which makes for a better composition. Thanks again for this tip!

Originally posted by deaning

Bugger! I just ordered a ring flash. You can almost feel the texture in these shots, think I better go delete my macro thread!

If you have the cash, I'd still get one. Many of my pictures just didn't look good. I think a ring flash would give more consistent results.

Originally posted by wcchamp18

Very well done and thanks to Charlie for the lesson!

Thanks!

Originally posted by daacon

Looks good Jerry did an experiment myself I do find the 540 flash even diffused too strong (probalby turn down the power might work)

Thanks for the good word. What is the 540 flash?

Originally posted by Bob Harris

Take a look at Dennis threads using a ring flash, he gets excellent results "bluestringer".
Jerry these are great, a real learning experience for all of us, soon we will all be sending royalty money to Charlie I bet

Thanks Bob... and my royalty checks will be in the form of beer.

slowpez · 08-09-2012, 06:24 AM

Beautiful shots. Kudos to Charlie for the idea but to you for pulling it off.

tessfully · 08-09-2012, 07:53 AM

Running out to try this! How exciting!! Wonderful and exciting work as always Jerry.

GeoJerry · 08-09-2012, 10:36 PM

Thanks slowpez and tess, it was a fun experiment... will post a few more shortly then on to something else. :-)
This is what I like about this site, you can learn lots of new tricks, and I really like this on-camera flash for macros idea.

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08-08-2012, 05:41 PM	#2
charliezap Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: saugus ma Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,686	Now you're cooking.When a shot is taken that's in the sun and the flash provides the "capture light" it only gets better.I have a Vivitar flash but the K5's flash really is an asset.The bottom line being--you can take a sunlit macro shot at f/8 or so but you can get that same shot at F/18 with flash that is hardly noticeable with the ambient light. I like what you're doing "grasshopper" --charliezap

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08-08-2012, 05:52 PM	#3
deaning Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 737	Bugger! I just ordered a ring flash. You can almost feel the texture in these shots, think I better go delete my macro thread!

08-08-2012, 06:20 PM	#4
wcchamp18 Closed Account Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 764	Very well done and thanks to Charlie for the lesson!

08-08-2012, 06:34 PM	#5
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	Looks good Jerry did an experiment myself I do find the 540 flash even diffused too strong (probalby turn down the power might work) however the on board looks pretty good - now maybe DIY some kind of diffuse unit for that ....

08-08-2012, 10:32 PM	#6
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477	Originally posted by deaning Bugger! I just ordered a ring flash. You can almost feel the texture in these shots, think I better go delete my macro thread! Take a look at Dennis threads using a ring flash, he gets excellent results "bluestringer". Jerry these are great, a real learning experience for all of us, soon we will all be sending royalty money to Charlie I bet.

08-09-2012, 12:41 AM	#7
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158 Original Poster	Originally posted by charliezap you can take a sunlit macro shot at f/8 or so but you can get that same shot at F/18 with flash that is hardly noticeable with the ambient light. I like what you're doing "grasshopper" Thanks! And as an extra bonus, the background is darkened with the stopped down aperture which makes for a better composition. Thanks again for this tip! Originally posted by deaning Bugger! I just ordered a ring flash. You can almost feel the texture in these shots, think I better go delete my macro thread! If you have the cash, I'd still get one. Many of my pictures just didn't look good. I think a ring flash would give more consistent results. Originally posted by wcchamp18 Very well done and thanks to Charlie for the lesson! Thanks! Originally posted by daacon Looks good Jerry did an experiment myself I do find the 540 flash even diffused too strong (probalby turn down the power might work) Thanks for the good word. What is the 540 flash? Originally posted by Bob Harris Take a look at Dennis threads using a ring flash, he gets excellent results "bluestringer". Jerry these are great, a real learning experience for all of us, soon we will all be sending royalty money to Charlie I bet Thanks Bob... and my royalty checks will be in the form of beer.

08-09-2012, 06:24 AM	#8
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,462	Beautiful shots. Kudos to Charlie for the idea but to you for pulling it off.

08-09-2012, 07:53 AM	#9
tessfully Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: S. Algonquin, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,860	Running out to try this! How exciting!! Wonderful and exciting work as always Jerry.

08-09-2012, 10:36 PM	#10
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158 Original Poster	Thanks slowpez and tess, it was a fun experiment... will post a few more shortly then on to something else. :-) This is what I like about this site, you can learn lots of new tricks, and I really like this on-camera flash for macros idea.