My 2nd Macro Attempt @ Singapore Botanical Gardens

[shengliang1981]

All pictures shot with Olympus E-510 + ZD 50-200mm F2.8-3.5 + EX-25 extension tube. Welcome all C&Cs... Thanks.

#1:


#2:


#3:


#4:


#5:

[shengliang1981]

#6:


#7:

[tchuanye]

Good focus here, and composition!

Do watch for burnt whites in #5. They tend to distract the viewer.

[engta]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing!

[parampita]

Nice and sharp! I like the frontal shot of number 2.

[tcy81]

i like #2 most.

[loboclerk]

Think the magic of #2 is that vibrant colors form a V shape together with the wings!

[pkhunter]

Ok. I am truly humbled. You seem to be an Olympus guy. My barrage of questions:

1. That lens you use -- 50-200m -- is it a general purpose carryaround lens like Nikon's 18-200mm, or is it special for macro? I couldn't imagine getting the kind of focus shots you have with my 18-200mm, or am I missing something?

2. How far were you from these little bugs while taking these stunning pictures?

3. Did you use a tripod for these?

Shucks. Amazing stuff man.

[shengliang1981]

Originally Posted by tchuanye Good focus here, and composition! Do watch for burnt whites in #5. They tend to distract the viewer.

Point noted. Thanks.

[shengliang1981]

Originally Posted by engta Nice pics, thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by parampita Nice and sharp! I like the frontal shot of number 2.

Originally Posted by tcy81 i like #2 most.

Originally Posted by loboclerk Think the magic of #2 is that vibrant colors form a V shape together with the wings!

Thanks guys for the nice words. I guess #2 is quite a lucky shot.

[shengliang1981]

Originally Posted by pkhunter Ok. I am truly humbled. You seem to be an Olympus guy. My barrage of questions: 1. That lens you use -- 50-200m -- is it a general purpose carryaround lens like Nikon's 18-200mm, or is it special for macro? I couldn't imagine getting the kind of focus shots you have with my 18-200mm, or am I missing something? 2. How far were you from these little bugs while taking these stunning pictures? 3. Did you use a tripod for these? Shucks. Amazing stuff man.

Thanks. Here are my replies to your questions:

1. For Olympus DSLR (four-thirds system), the focal length multiplier is 2x. Therefore the 50-200mm is equivalent to 100mm-400mm in 35mm standards. Therefore, I don't think it is suitable for a general purpose carryaround lens, but more as a tele lens. It is neither a macro lens, however, with the help of an extension tube, it is able to get a magnification ratio of about 1:1 (35mm equivalent).

2. I think I am somewhere between 1 feet and 5 feet away while taking these shots.

3. I have to admit that I am too lazy to carry a tripod.

[dorts]

#2 is very stunning. Nice use of colours! The colours are just so soothing.

But I would say that the rest are pretty normal, not that I can take better than you.

[Outlook]

#2 and #3 are good.

watch out the highlight burn, e.g. on #5. May be the flash too strong/harsh

[hhho]

thank you, shengliang for sharing your experience.
It is a good attempt consider your 2nd times.

only have one comment on #4 Damselfly
I think you was shooting against the lighting so called backlighting
using fill in flash to light up the body may help.

[shengliang1981]

Originally Posted by Outlook #2 and #3 are good. watch out the highlight burn, e.g. on #5. May be the flash too strong/harsh

Originally Posted by hhho thank you, shengliang for sharing your experience. It is a good attempt consider your 2nd times. only have one comment on #4 Damselfly I think you was shooting against the lighting so called backlighting using fill in flash to light up the body may help.

Thanks. Will take note of all the advices.