Macro First macro with Sigma EX DG 105

**csa** · 01-24-2015, 12:28 PM

I know they are horrid, but the light was not favorable, and the operator was not favorable either!

BTW, the spots, etc., is not the lens; rather this poor fly has been stuck on a glass storm door all winter, and you are seeing the dirty glass.

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Woodepic · 01-24-2015, 12:31 PM

Cool shots! I'd highly suggest investing in a ring flash, you will be amazed with the results.

**csa** · 01-24-2015, 12:36 PM

Thanks! Yes, I would love one, but I've got to wait now, since I just bought this & a 400 Tokina.

I had tried my popup flash on the fly, but it didn't work well at all.

photolady95 · 01-24-2015, 12:36 PM

And spot metering and higher f stop will get you more detail. I use the onboard flash with success. But that's a good effort.

On the pop up you either need to diffuse it, or select an ev compensation. I use EV compensation set on either -07 or -03.

**csa** · 01-24-2015, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by photolady95

And spot metering and higher f stop will get you more detail. I use the onboard flash with success. But that's a good effort.

On the pop up you either need to diffuse it, or select an ev compensation. I use EV compensation set on either -07 or -03.

Thanks for the great tips! I really appreciate it. I'll give your suggestions a try! That is the only bug I'll see for a couple of months; I was so hoping it wouldn't fall off the glass before I got my macro!

I'm amazed how small an area is in focus! I wasn't trying to focus on the head/wing, etc., just the whole fly; and I can definitely see how exact the focusing spot is!

photolady95 · 01-24-2015, 12:57 PM

Originally posted by csa

Thanks for the great tips!

You're welcome!

Originally posted by csa

I'm amazed how small an area is in focus!

This is why we use such smaller apertures, or openings, remember the smaller the number the more light gets in. I've used f8 to f16 to f22 to get more details.

**boriscleto** · 01-24-2015, 01:04 PM

If you can't afford a ring flash you could try an older flash gun like the AF280T. It doesn't have P-TTL, but it can be set manually and it depresses to -15 degrees for close up work.

There are also ring flash adapters and led ring lights that won't break the bank.

The Ring Flash Adapter - The Photojojo Store!

wildlifephotog · 01-24-2015, 02:00 PM - **1 Like**

In a pinch.
You can use a Pringles can, a rubber band, and a white paper towel to make a macro flash extender for the onboard.

bladerunner6 · 01-24-2015, 02:15 PM

You might also consider buying any sort of cheap flash that will work with your camera and making a KFC ring flash.

**csa** · 01-24-2015, 02:29 PM

Lots of great suggestions, thanks all! I'm very excited to get into the world of macro; seeing all the wonderful work that's been posted here, is very inspiring!

**csa** · 01-24-2015, 03:56 PM

I was checking out ring flashes, and it seems they come with adapter rings. My filter size is 58mm; so if a ring flash is say, 52mm; wouldn't using it on a 58mm lens cause vignetting?

photolady95 · 01-24-2015, 04:28 PM

My ring flash came with a lot of different adapters for nearly all my lens filter sizes. Plus it has different diffusers that clip over the flash itself.

**csa** · 01-24-2015, 04:43 PM

Ok, that makes sense! Oh my, you people are getting me addicted quickly!

photolady95 · 01-24-2015, 05:02 PM

This is just the beginning. LOL Wait a bit and you'll be buying more than one flash, more than one lens. Macro photography is addictive.

But it is so much more fun!!

**csa** · 01-24-2015, 05:39 PM

I can see being lead down that winding road of new goodies!

It was very much fun just trying to get the images of the poor old fly; as bad as they are, I was very pleased that I got some parts sharp. Lighting the area as you've suggested, either with aperture, or a ring would definitely improve it. Macro is definitely a challenge, but so worthwhile! Can't wait until I get a "good" image!

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01-24-2015, 12:31 PM	#2
Woodepic New Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 18	Cool shots! I'd highly suggest investing in a ring flash, you will be amazed with the results.

01-24-2015, 12:36 PM	#3
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks! Yes, I would love one, but I've got to wait now, since I just bought this & a 400 Tokina. I had tried my popup flash on the fly, but it didn't work well at all.

01-24-2015, 12:36 PM	#4
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	And spot metering and higher f stop will get you more detail. I use the onboard flash with success. But that's a good effort. On the pop up you either need to diffuse it, or select an ev compensation. I use EV compensation set on either -07 or -03.

01-24-2015, 12:52 PM	#5
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by photolady95 And spot metering and higher f stop will get you more detail. I use the onboard flash with success. But that's a good effort. On the pop up you either need to diffuse it, or select an ev compensation. I use EV compensation set on either -07 or -03. Thanks for the great tips! I really appreciate it. I'll give your suggestions a try! That is the only bug I'll see for a couple of months; I was so hoping it wouldn't fall off the glass before I got my macro! I'm amazed how small an area is in focus! I wasn't trying to focus on the head/wing, etc., just the whole fly; and I can definitely see how exact the focusing spot is!

01-24-2015, 12:57 PM	#6
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Originally posted by csa Thanks for the great tips! You're welcome! Originally posted by csa I'm amazed how small an area is in focus! This is why we use such smaller apertures, or openings, remember the smaller the number the more light gets in. I've used f8 to f16 to f22 to get more details.

01-24-2015, 01:04 PM	#7
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,473	If you can't afford a ring flash you could try an older flash gun like the AF280T. It doesn't have P-TTL, but it can be set manually and it depresses to -15 degrees for close up work. There are also ring flash adapters and led ring lights that won't break the bank. The Ring Flash Adapter - The Photojojo Store!

01-24-2015, 02:00 PM - 1 Like	#8
wildlifephotog Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 924	In a pinch. You can use a Pringles can, a rubber band, and a white paper towel to make a macro flash extender for the onboard.

01-24-2015, 02:15 PM	#9
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080	You might also consider buying any sort of cheap flash that will work with your camera and making a KFC ring flash.

01-24-2015, 02:29 PM	#10
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Lots of great suggestions, thanks all! I'm very excited to get into the world of macro; seeing all the wonderful work that's been posted here, is very inspiring!

01-24-2015, 03:56 PM	#11
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	I was checking out ring flashes, and it seems they come with adapter rings. My filter size is 58mm; so if a ring flash is say, 52mm; wouldn't using it on a 58mm lens cause vignetting?

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01-24-2015, 04:28 PM	#12
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	My ring flash came with a lot of different adapters for nearly all my lens filter sizes. Plus it has different diffusers that clip over the flash itself.

01-24-2015, 04:43 PM	#13
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Ok, that makes sense! Oh my, you people are getting me addicted quickly!

01-24-2015, 05:02 PM	#14
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	This is just the beginning. LOL Wait a bit and you'll be buying more than one flash, more than one lens. Macro photography is addictive. But it is so much more fun!!

01-24-2015, 05:39 PM	#15
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	I can see being lead down that winding road of new goodies! It was very much fun just trying to get the images of the poor old fly; as bad as they are, I was very pleased that I got some parts sharp. Lighting the area as you've suggested, either with aperture, or a ring would definitely improve it. Macro is definitely a challenge, but so worthwhile! Can't wait until I get a "good" image!