Macro lovers rejoice - here's a bonanza of multiple lenses being used (although some are not really macros)

#1 is a yellow Zinnia, taken at F/4.5, 1/250 sec., ISO 800, 200mm; #2 is orange lilies taken with my Pentax-M SMC 50mm F1.4, at 1/4000 sec; #3 is a favorite - F/5.6, 1/350 sec., ISO 400, 200mm; #4 is with the Pentax 10-17mm Fisheye.

[roentarre]

Wow, they are beautiful and colourful. I love bokeh in your first shot and sharpness in the 3rd photo.

Somehow I think you are telling everyone that it is the photographer that produces great images rather than the tools...



Cheers

[little laker]

I like the second pic
I'm almost tempted to break out the old 35mm for some fun now

[Heinrich Lohmann]

Marc, thank you from another northerner the color sure are welcome.:-)

Gorgeous set of photos, thanks for posting them and do take care,

Heinrich

[clarenceclose]

Shows the versatility of the lenses. #3 is a very interesting flower. It also looks like you have somethings going on with water droplets OOF in the upper right that becomes something else of interest in the photo. Thanks for the color.

[Marc Langille]

Wow, they are beautiful and colourful. I love bokeh in your first shot and sharpness in the 3rd photo.

Thanks James! With the exception of #2, over 95% of my macro work is in my front garden - you should thank my wife... she's the keeper of the garden...

BTW, believe it or not, #3 was MY FIRST MACRO SHOT EVER TAKEN of a flower. I confirmed the time and date - done right after I got home from work on July 7th with my FA* 200/4. The 200mm is a stellar lens - no question.

You should see the full sized image of #3 - it is scary sharp - incredible detail (shot in JPEG with my DS!!). The fact that I had the lens vertical to the ground made the petails on the outside of the flower show up nicely in the shallow DOF.

Focusing on the front edge of the petal brought me the desired effect, and the light was wonderfully ambient, a slight glow backlighting the Zinnia just a little bit.

Somehow I think you are telling everyone that it is the photographer that produces great images rather than the tools...



Cheers

Thank you - you humble me with your kind words. I always strive to master my tools, and then my artistic side as a photographer can come forward.

I agree with your comment and I look at it a little differently (but with the same intent). I am not posting to show people what I can do - there are myriads of talented people much better than I, no question. I want to show people the beauty of the world that passes them by daily, often right in front of them. Capturing beauty, be it flora/fauna/whatever is my intent.

I'll post another "macro" with my DS and the Pentax-M 50/1.4. I think you'll like it...

[NaClH2O]

Hi Marc. How can botanicals be boring! I'd say fully 75-80% of my work is botanical. Everything from autumn color to frost on leaves to massive amounts of flowers. Part of that is because I live just 2 miles or so from on of the great botanical gardens in the world, the New York Botanical Gardens. I drive by it to and from work and in the spring-fall if it looks like a nice day, chances are I'll throw my bag in the back of my car and stop off on my way home. Great way to unwind from a hetic day. Anyway love the photos. I especially like the purple lily #4. Great shots, and thanks.

NaCl(naked sex organs of plants are the best!)H2O

[Marc Langille]

I like the second pic
I'm almost tempted to break out the old 35mm for some fun now

It's always been a favorite of one of my early botanical shots...

Cheers,
Marc

[Marc Langille]

Marc, thank you from another northerner the color sure are welcome.:-)

Gorgeous set of photos, thanks for posting them and do take care,

Heinrich

Yes, we need a little color in these parts of the world right now...

Cheers,
Marc

[Marc Langille]

Shows the versatility of the lenses. #3 is a very interesting flower. It also looks like you have somethings going on with water droplets OOF in the upper right that becomes something else of interest in the photo. Thanks for the color.

Thanks Clarence!

You are correct - each one has their own value, and I am quite surprised at the versatility of the FishEye lens too.

Photo #3 was just after a hard rainshower, so it was perfect when I got home and took my first official macro photo with my 200mm. More info in the reply to James/Roentarre...

Cheers,
Marc

[Marc Langille]

Hi Marc. How can botanicals be boring! I'd say fully 75-80% of my work is botanical. Everything from autumn color to frost on leaves to massive amounts of flowers. Part of that is because I live just 2 miles or so from on of the great botanical gardens in the world, the New York Botanical Gardens. I drive by it to and from work and in the spring-fall if it looks like a nice day, chances are I'll throw my bag in the back of my car and stop off on my way home. Great way to unwind from a hetic day. Anyway love the photos. I especially like the purple lily #4. Great shots, and thanks.

NaCl(naked sex organs of plants are the best!)H2O

I was being 100% tongue in cheek when I stated that...

Like you, I am a firm believer in the beauty of botanicals. You are a lucky man to be so close to a larger botanical garden. Nearly all my photos are the result of being in my front garden! I am the victim of limited choice, but my wife is really great about helping me out - win/win situation!

Eventually 5.5 acres will be ready for us - the Ozark Botanical Gardens. They want me to help out with documenting the flowers, etc. and I look forward to a good working relationship with them in the springtime...

Cheers,
Marc

[Lipo]

Great shots! Number one is so captivating. I'd like to see more with the 30 year old lens as well.