[Kerrowdown]

[Kerrowdown]

[Scorpio71GR]

I have long since found that I get far, far more keepers using flash. I like to go out early AM, especially about September, "bug hunting." Using a tripod-mounted camera and natural light to avoid the black backgrounds typical of flash images, far too many of the images are slightly soft because of subject motion. For insects, if I cannot use at least 1/200, the risk of motion blur is too great for me. Hard enough to find subjects - - no way I'll risk losing such opportunities using a technique that has proven unreliable in the past.

We have one of the largest indoor butterfly exhibits in the United States here in the spring. Over the years I tried all kinds of techniques. Eventually I settled on using a flash. The lighting in the conservatory is terrible. Some places are so dark it is difficult to achieve proper focus. I usually get two looks. One is of dismay at my use of unatural light. The other is of curiosity. I will get asked how I manage to get pictures to turn out with the flash. On my K3 I made a User setting to utilize HSS. I use the same settings on the K-1. ISO is maxed at 400, Tv is typically around 1/200-1/400s, apeture varies for Dof requirements. I adjust the output of the flash as needed. I have found the PTL on the AF 540 FGZII to be pretty reliable. I bring along a few diffusers and a soft box. I would be lying if I did not admit the whole thing is still trial and a lot of error. However learning as you go along is part of the experience. The plus end for me is an image like this.

K-1, Sigma 180 Macro, AF 540 FGZII, and Gary Fong diffuser.
ISO 400, 1/400s, F11

[ChipB]

We have one of the largest indoor butterfly exhibits in the United States here in the spring. Over the years I tried all kinds of techniques. Eventually I settled on using a flash. The lighting in the conservatory is terrible. Some places are so dark it is difficult to achieve proper focus. I usually get two looks. One is of dismay at my use of unatural light. The other is of curiosity. I will get asked how I manage to get pictures to turn out with the flash. On my K3 I made a User setting to utilize HSS. I use the same settings on the K-1. ISO is maxed at 400, Tv is typically around 1/200-1/400s, apeture varies for Dof requirements. I adjust the output of the flash as needed. I have found the PTL on the AF 540 FGZII to be pretty reliable. I bring along a few diffusers and a soft box. I would be lying if I did not admit the whole thing is still trial and a lot of error. However learning as you go along is part of the experience. The plus end for me is an image like this.

K-1, Sigma 180 Macro, AF 540 FGZII, and Gary Fong diffuser.
ISO 400, 1/400s, F11

Very nice Michael - I'll have to try using flash in the future.

[Scorpio71GR]

Very nice Michael - I'll have to try using flash in the future.

Thank you Chip, I have both versions of the AF 540 flash. The second and current version is by far the best flash I have ever used. The AF 540 FGZII is a completely different flash the original. I need HSS flash and AF 540ii seems to work best for that plus it is weather sealed.

[Weevil]

Moth behind bars
Look closely for details.

2018.07.04, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, CANADA

Noctuelle de Baltimore* / Baltimore Snout [Hypena baltimoralis]
(*Nom français à valider)


Technique:
---------
Empilement de 12 images / 12 images stack (Zerene Stacker / PMax method)
Pentax K-1 + SMC Pentax-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro
1/4s, ƒ/8, ISO 400 g(lumière naturelle / natural light)



Noctuelle derrière les barreaux / Moth behind bars

(x-posted)

[UncleVanya]

Moth behind bars
Look closely for details.

2018.07.04, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, CANADA

Noctuelle de Baltimore* / Baltimore Snout [Hypena baltimoralis]
(*Nom français à valider)


Technique:
---------
Empilement de 12 images / 12 images stack (Zerene Stacker / PMax method)
Pentax K-1 + SMC Pentax-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro
1/4s, ƒ/8, ISO 400 g(lumière naturelle / natural light)



Noctuelle derrière les barreaux / Moth behind bars

(x-posted)

Very impressive. I have never gotten around to stacking but this is a reason to learn it.

[Craigbob]

A few from my Vivitar/Pentax/Cosina/et all.... 100mm f/3.5 Macro

[jonhock]

IMHO

you have dabblers ( talented and/or less - me - ) or people who specialize

in many areas of photography

this is especially true with macro

use of different techniques

" field " vs. " lab "

the benefit of being a dabbler using a true macro lens - the lenses are generally very good for photography even if not used for macro

Exactly and Amen! I have the Pentax 35mm 1:2.8 limited and a Sigma 105mm 1:2.8 DG Macro. I use both a LOT more as "regular" lenses than I do macro.

---------- Post added 07-04-18 at 10:12 PM ----------

I've been trying to learn macro ever since I screwed a Spiratone extension tube between my Asahi Pentax S and its f2.2 pre-set Takumar, but sometimes I still foul up.

I've been trying since about 1978 when I used a reversal adapter on my K1000 with my Pentax A 50mm 1:2. Yeah, those were the days (I still have the adapter)

[WPRESTO]

I've been trying since about 1978 when I used a reversal adapter on my K1000 with my Pentax A 50mm 1:2. Yeah, those were the days (I still have the adapter)

I still have the zebra-stripe Spiratone extension-tube set, and still use them, albeit rarely.

[jonhock]

I still have the zebra-stripe Spiratone extension-tube set, and still use them, albeit rarely.

Just offhand, I can't think of anything else that I have left over from that year. 1978 was my first year with an SLR. I remember telling my wife that I wanted to get a "Real" camera and got the K1000 at K-mart Anyway, getting off the macro track so I'd better stop reminiscing on this thread and post a couple photos with my Pentax M 100mm macro and my first DSLR, the K10D. This was my second dedicated macro lens after the 50mm 1:4 macro. I was testing what I had read about ways of figuring out how much magnification a lens produced in February of 2012. (Well, maybe a little reminiscing)

[WPRESTO]

Just offhand, I can't think of anything else that I have left over from that year. 1978 was my first year with an SLR. I remember telling my wife that I wanted to get a "Real" camera and got the K1000 at K-mart Anyway, getting off the macro track so I'd better stop reminiscing on this thread and post a couple photos with my Pentax M 100mm macro and my first DSLR, the K10D. This was my second dedicated macro lens after the 50mm 1:4 macro. I was testing what I had read about ways of figuring out how much magnification a lens produced in February of 2012. (Well, maybe a little reminiscing)

I have three items from my very early days with 35mm, all which have survived multiple changes of cameras: 1) the Spiratone extension tubes; 2) a Pentax close-up filter specifically designed for their normal focal length lenses because when it is attached, focus starts at the close-focusing point of the normal lens without the close-up filter; and 3) a Braun two AA cell all-manual strobe that still works perfectly except that the slide-off battery compartment door is too loose to be trusted (I wrap a rubber around when I sometimes use the flash). Of these, the extension tubes are the oldest SFAIR.

[Mike.P®]

Just noticed a little moth on the wall so grabbed the K3II and 100mm WR to grab a couple of shots.


Portrait of a Moth by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr


Moth by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr

[ChipB]

Just noticed a little moth on the wall so grabbed the K3II and 100mm WR to grab a couple of shots.


Portrait of a Moth by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr


Moth by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr

Well shot Mike.

[Canada_Rockies]

Just noticed a little moth on the wall so grabbed the K3II and 100mm WR to grab a couple of shots.

Nice shooting, Mike.