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As some of you know, the closest I usually get to a subject is about 500 feet, so when Hlop offered his Marumi closeup set for sale, I grabbed it to try something new. Leek suggested to me that Muogamarra Nature Reserve would be a great place to do my first closeup shots.

I have to admit it was a lot harder than I thought. I was using the kit lens so I was almost nudging these subjects to get the shot. The focus was so fine that the focus ring was useless - I just set it to the closest distance and then moved the camera to achieve focus.

I started off with the flowers. The latin name of this one is pricklius thingus. I think it has a kind of hypnotic effect to it.


Then I noticed a buzzing and got completely hooked on shooting insects! I like the insect shots because they show a completely different living world which is all around us, and also because it's kind of tricky because they zip around so much! So I set my diopters to stun and got within a centimetre or so and started clicking away!

Hi Thaddeus
nice first close-ups. Macro is certainly an interesting world, isn't it ? All the day to day things that are constantly around us seem to spring to life when viewed at 1:1.

Do you have EXIF for these ? I really like the bee one's, especially the last, however a little more DOF would be handy.

I think macro brings VR technology into it's element. You really need to use small apertures (f16 - 29) to obtain a good deal of DOF (even though we're only talking about adding an extra couple of mm's), sometimes that can make all the difference. Being so close to the subject, your DOF would be extremely narrow, so focussing on the correct point is critical (and not easy with the D70 viewfinder).

Kerry Pierce often shows us what is possible with macro photography, but you have started down that road now.....I can see lens lust appearing in the near future

You guys and the macros are great. Never realized that close ups can be so interesting. Well add macro lens to the lust.

nito wrote:You guys and the macros are great. Never realized that close ups can be so interesting. Well add macro lens to the lust.

Read carefully nito... no need to save up for a macro lens... these photos were taken with the kit lens with some attached close-up filters... This allows you to focus a lot closer to the subject...

Nice shots thaddeus... The bees are great, but I particularly like the way that the foliage draws you into the middle of the prickly thing...
If anyone knows what pricklius thingus is really called - I'd love to know...

Hi thaddeus,

First one is my favorite! Very nice form and pattern. Second one is great too but needs bit more depth of field IMHO

I hope you aren't disappointed with these close-up filters

Welcome to the world of macro, Thaddeus!

Looks like you're off to a good start.

Love the shots, especially the first one.

Can anyone provide more details on the filters used ? (I assume its a cheaper option to buying a macro lens?)

G'day Thaddeus,
That first one is mesmorising, stunning, I think I'm getting dizzy though.... The macro world seems fascinating... Splurged on a canon 500d close-up filter(?) so I can't wait to play too

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!
Alpha_7, I purchased these filters off Hlop for $60. They look a bit like this:
http://go.dc-accessories.com/int0-closeuplens.html
Aussie Dave, all the shots were 1/320s and I was fiddling the aperture to see the different depths of field. The prickly thing was f/3.8 25mm
the bees were f/4.5 70mm and f/4.5 70mm respectively. I can't wait to try some more!

The first is my pick as well. Really sharp

thaddeus wrote:Aussie Dave, all the shots were 1/320s and I was fiddling the aperture to see the different depths of field. The prickly thing was f/3.8 25mm
the bees were f/4.5 70mm and f/4.5 70mm respectively. I can't wait to try some more!

next time, try closing the aperture closer to f22 and you will obtain more Depth of Field. It's difficult because when you do this, the shutter speed usually drops to beyond handholding speeds.....this is where the SB800 comes into it's own

...but it's great fun experimenting.

I'll try that, thanks.

leek wrote: If anyone knows what pricklius thingus is really called - I'd love to know...

They're drumsticks, uncommonly known asn isopogon anethifolius See http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=isopogon+anethifolius

Great shots Thaddeus. First is my pick. Great detail