Damselfly

Tooks

Tooks

Tooks

Associate
Joined
24 Oct 2005
Posts
2,047
Location
Lincolnshire
Seeing Messiah's picture of Damselflies reminded me that I went out trying to snap a few of these last week, first time I've really tried insect Macro's.

I've been messing about trying to find a 'budget' Macro setup, and had settled on a Nikon 50mm f1.8 with a B&W close up filter on it. This is great for things like watch faces and other stuff that doesn't fly away when you get too close, but I needed another solution for insects as the focus distance was a couple of inches at most, after a ringflash was fitted.

I looked at the price of the Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR, and after spitting my tea over the monitor found a set of Kenko Auto Extension tubes.

I wasn't sure what lens I'd use them on, but thought I'd buy them and give them a try. The pic below was taken with two of the extension tubes (I forget exactly which of the 3 it was!) fitted to my Nikon 300mm f4 AFS. It was handheld and is cropped a little, and I left the AF on, but I think it has worked out ok.

I know the 300mm f4 isn't a 'cheap' lens, but I had that already and the extension tubes really cut down the minimum focus distance to something workable and I remain far enough away to not disturb the subjects.

The extension tubes seem a good solution if you have a decent lens already.

3615742107_63d8b3e4eb_o.jpg
 
Not a bad attempt. Lighting is a bit harsh for my liking, and the tail is a tiny bit blown, but pretty good non the less. Nice clean background and good colours. You might actually be suprised to hear that the 300mm f4 + tubes is a very popular choice for dragon and damselflies, especially over on Nikon Cafe. :)
 
Thanks for the feedback! I hadn't really noticed the things you point out, I was too excited by actually getting one before they cleared off! :)

I've had another go, and cloned out the upper 'ears' on the stem as I thought they were distracting after I'd tried to deal with the blown highlight on the tail. Any better you think?

3615862835_17b8f6a9b4_o.jpg


I didn't know it was a popular setup for this sort of thing, but not surprising I suppose when I actually think about it!

EDIT: Still looks a bit harshly lit compared to yours....
 
Last edited:
That's better. and I totally agree about the ears of corn. Direct sunlight is never good for insects imo (except sometimes if you use it to backlight the wings). You are much better off with overcast but bright conditions. I've always shot handheld with natural light as I prefer the look, but I am now playing with using subtle, very diffused fill flash to increase my keepers rate and the amount of detail in the shot. You might also want to try making a sunlight diffuser. Something like a sheet of muslin helps a lot. :)
 
I shall have a play with the flash side of things, I've got a ring flash setup but it is very harsh even turned right down. The pic above was just sunlight.

I shall have a play with various diffusers (hadn't thought of muslin!) and if I come up with anything that seems to work I shall let you know.

Looking forward to your pics of the Banded Demoiselle's by the way! I saw some at the same place as the Damsel's but none of mine turned out sharp.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom