Dragonflies!

[ParkertR]

Took a walk out to the pond on campus today and snapped up a few dragonflies! Sorry if they look a little washed out - my first take at dragonflies! Hope you guys can give some critique and also tips on taking them!

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4)

[JimDavis]

Looks like your campus life in Thailand is pretty relaxing huh?

Keep all these nice photos coming...also, maybe you should start to think of creating your own portfolio. Who knows you may be making more $$ before you graduated from the uni??

[tchuanye]

The composition for all the pics are great....in terms of positioning and framing the pic.

For #1, the background is kind of distracting, so have to look out for that when taking macro shots....the rest are good.

The impt pt for such shots is to keep the EYEs of the subject sharp.....unless you want the viewer to focus on some other part....but other wise, always focus on the eyes and maximise DOF by choosing smaller apeture or larger F number e.g. F8. so that more of the insect remains in focus. For the shots above the eyes are not too sharp. Just some comments......hope you don't mind...I am also learning....

[spiderman]

hi tchuanye, you mentioned that you have Nikon 6T and a Sigma macro lens and how much is it? What type of adapter did you use for that? What is the 6T? An adapter? Pardon me for my ignorance. I am a greenhorn still.

I am looking for a macro lens but don't know which one is good. I was thinking of Raynox msn-200 but can't find in Sin according to some. Besides, macro, of course I am looking to get the tele, wide lens and UV filter too. But my priority is UV filter and macro. I was thinking it is better to get every lenses the same brand so that don't have to get extra adapters. Maybe I am wrong. However I can't afford all at once, or else can't contain anything in my pockets!

[spiderman]

hi parkertr, you took those shots with the FZ20 original macro mode w/o extra lens right? And they were taken w/o or w/ tripod?

Really good shots!

And tchuanye, you must share your set up and technique with us!

[tchuanye]

Originally Posted by spiderman hi tchuanye, you mentioned that you have Nikon 6T and a Sigma macro lens and how much is it? What type of adapter did you use for that? What is the 6T? An adapter? Pardon me for my ignorance. I am a greenhorn still. I am looking for a macro lens but don't know which one is good. I was thinking of Raynox msn-200 but can't find in Sin according to some. Besides, macro, of course I am looking to get the tele, wide lens and UV filter too. But my priority is UV filter and macro. I was thinking it is better to get every lenses the same brand so that don't have to get extra adapters. Maybe I am wrong. However I can't afford all at once, or else can't contain anything in my pockets!

Hi Spiderman,

I am using close up lenses which allows the FZ10 ( and I suppose FZ20) to have a larger working distance (WD) from the subject i.e. distance from lens to subject. At wide, the fz10 macro distance is ~5cm, and at x12, 2m. With the close up (more info here http://www.angelfire.com/ca/erker/closeups.html) the Nikon 6T allows WD of 29cm. Sigma close up(got it during my SLR days with the Sigma 70-300mm APO zoom lens) WD 40cm and both combined 19cm.

The nikon 6T has a 62mm thread, so I have the Phayee adapter attached to the camera. The Sigma has a 58mm thread so I use a step down ring from 62-58mm.

I am not familiar with the lenses you mentioned so I cannot advice.....but 72mm threading is not common so may be better to get third party adapter. You can search the net for the threading you want, e.g 6T is 62mm and 4T or 5T (can't remember which) is the same magnification as 6T but with different threading. So you have to see what you want.

The WCON and TCON, I am not so sure, perhaps the other expert users can advise on that.

Other equipt (on top of the close up lenses) for macro that are important are external flash, and a bounce card or if you afford it a stofen omni bounce. I use a homemade bounce card. Using direct flash is too harsh, so bouncing it would diffuse the light. Why flash is important is because in macro you want to maximise DOF (depth of field), so you need small apeture (large F no. e.g. F8) which means lesser light allowed in and therefore need external light source-----flash. of course if the ambient lighting is bright enough than no need flash....you have to assess the condition.

The mode I usually use is M so that I can control the A and the S seperately. The problem is that the LCD tends to get very dark and I cannot see the picture. So you have to really strain to see it and hope your shots turn out, or work in A mode, compose and than turn to M mode. I also use MF often as AF tends to be quite difficult at times. I fix the MF, and sway my body, while depressing the shutter half way (this is to prevent shutter lag). When it looks sharp on the LCD, I will depress all the way...and hope it turns out ok.

Since it is a digital camera....we can take and take up to the limit of the card...so practice....and just be aware that we may get 1 good one out of 50 shots....so just to prewarn you soo you will not get discouraged.

I enjoy the FZ10 very much as it allows me to shoot to my heart's content. dunno, maybe cos I came from SLR and I only shoot 1 or 2 per subject, and hardly any turn out nice and that was very discouraging, but now I can shoot more and more and try different techniques to improve.

Anyway, just practice and share what you have learned with the community....I am new (had the FZ10 since end Aug 04 only) and still learning. Hope to learn to take other type of pics from the other experts too!

[spiderman]

TY tchuanye, that was a piece of valueable advice. I will keep that in mind and hope I won't forget easily. The lens I was talking about can be see with this link:

http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/digital/fz10/index.htm

The Raynox lenses are from Japan. The lenses are both for FZ10 & FZ20. I am interested in the 2.2X tele zoom, 0.5X wide, msn-200 macro, the polarized filter. But I can't afford all at once ! If I get all, I can stay at home taking pics and not even going out whole year. I was thinking to get the same brand cos the adapter works for the same brand of lenses. My priority is the macro and filters first. Well, I have to get my US friend to get and send to me.

As for flash, maybe I'll get a Suntax since everyone is talking about it. But why is the original flash not good for macro? Too strong or weak? And you can cover the flash with some transluscent plastic(homemade), can't you?

[tchuanye]

Originally Posted by spiderman TY tchuanye, that was a piece of valueable advice. I will keep that in mind and hope I won't forget easily. The lens I was talking about can be see with this link: http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/digital/fz10/index.htm The Raynox lenses are from Japan. The lenses are both for FZ10 & FZ20. I am interested in the 2.2X tele zoom, 0.5X wide, msn-200 macro, the polarized filter. But I can't afford all at once ! If I get all, I can stay at home taking pics and not even going out whole year. I was thinking to get the same brand cos the adapter works for the same brand of lenses. My priority is the macro and filters first. Well, I have to get my US friend to get and send to me. As for flash, maybe I'll get a Suntax since everyone is talking about it. But why is the original flash not good for macro? Too strong or weak? And you can cover the flash with some transluscent plastic(homemade), can't you?

The on board flash is too direct and the blockage of the add on lens may cast a shadow on your subject especially if the working distance is very close. Also, you mention Msn-200? do note working distance stated is 30mm....thats very close! Your subject must be very cooperative to take that close......not impossible though....have seen pp in CS take such pics before.....all the best to you for getting your equipment!

[spiderman]

Originally Posted by tchuanye The on board flash is too direct and the blockage of the add on lens may cast a shadow on your subject especially if the working distance is very close. Also, you mention Msn-200? do note working distance stated is 30mm....thats very close! Your subject must be very cooperative to take that close......not impossible though....have seen pp in CS take such pics before.....all the best to you for getting your equipment!

Confused now
I thought the nearer is the better right? I saw the msn-200 gives the biggest magnification.

And one more thing to consult your experty, what UV and polarized filters are you using? You have to get an adpater for those filters.? I saw this item at ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...851919024&rd=1

Do you think it is expensive? Where can I get in Sin? I mean doesn't have to be Raynox, other brands which proves to be good will do. I read a few posts here but don't really know where to get and how much.

Anyone can help me out?

[tchuanye]

Originally Posted by spiderman Confused now I thought the nearer is the better right? I saw the msn-200 gives the biggest magnification. And one more thing to consult your experty, what UV and polarized filters are you using? You have to get an adpater for those filters.? I saw this item at ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...851919024&rd=1 Do you think it is expensive? Where can I get in Sin? I mean doesn't have to be Raynox, other brands which proves to be good will do. I read a few posts here but don't really know where to get and how much. Anyone can help me out?

If you see Megaweb A70 setup his working distance is 40mm and he can get very nice shots....

I suppose the subject must be very cooperative for you to approach it so close....I have not learned this technique, need the subject help and some skill on the photographer to approach it. But closer does not mean better, its the end magnification that matters, e.g. the magnification of the FZ10 w/o filters is the same as with using Sigma close up, the only difference is that the working distance for w/o is 5cm, and with is 40cm. Its really up to you what you want to achieve in the end.....

Cost wise, US$47.75 seems expensive for the whole set......UV filter and polerizer can get in Singapore, not sure what is the latest price. The Phayee adapter I got it for S$33, now not too sure.....you may want to ask those who just got this items to compare pricing and all that.....

[spiderman]

Originally Posted by tchuanye If you see Megaweb A70 setup his working distance is 40mm and he can get very nice shots.... I suppose the subject must be very cooperative for you to approach it so close....I have not learned this technique, need the subject help and some skill on the photographer to approach it. But closer does not mean better, its the end magnification that matters, e.g. the magnification of the FZ10 w/o filters is the same as with using Sigma close up, the only difference is that the working distance for w/o is 5cm, and with is 40cm. Its really up to you what you want to achieve in the end..... Cost wise, US$47.75 seems expensive for the whole set......UV filter and polerizer can get in Singapore, not sure what is the latest price. The Phayee adapter I got it for S$33, now not too sure.....you may want to ask those who just got this items to compare pricing and all that.....

tchuanye, you're right. The msn-200 has a WD of 30mm=3cm! All along I thought it was 30cm!
Now I understand what you meant, of course for my standard that's too close for me to take macro shots. Besides, original or external flash won't help cos it's too close. Looks like your Sigma of WD 40cm is quite a good distance for macro.

As for UV and polarized filter, still don't know where to get and what size and if adpater(what size?) is required. Maybe I would buy the Raynox filter after all since I am intending to get their lens in future. But still can't decide yet.