|
Scott
|
 |
« on: April 03, 2009, 08:50:44 AM » |
|
Hi, all - After Mike Kovacs suggested off-camera flash for macro shooting, I got busy with some aluminum and spare parts, and came up with this:  I'm using an old Vivtar 2500 flash, which after some tweaking, is giving me shots at about f/32 close up. Nice. Still getting the specular highlights Mike saw, but it's pouring down rain right now, so I think that's unavoidable...  I really want to hit the butterfly house this weekend at the Philly Museum of the Sciences, but I don't think it's in the cards...  More to come. Scott |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Mike Kovacs
|
|
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2009, 11:21:40 AM » |
|
That little crab spider doesn't move much does he? I'll raise you one  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Gage
|
|
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2009, 05:51:34 PM » |
|
I haven't shot much flash with water droplets around so I don't know how much you can expect to eliminate the specular highlights in the drops, though with a big enough light source it should be a big help. Getting the flash away from the same plane as the lens might help too. Here's my crab spider, I had an umbrella on a Vivitar 283.  A 100% crop from above:  That was one sharp lens (Pentax DFA 100/2.8 macro) Alan |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
|
|
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2009, 07:02:41 AM » |
|
Nice, guys! Alan - I've set mine up now so that the light is raking from the side - seems to help. Lots of variables to tweak with this...
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Mike Kovacs
|
|
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2009, 07:41:30 AM » |
|
They are so cool - ambush hunters. They change colour too for the folks that don't know.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Gage
|
|
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2009, 01:17:05 PM » |
|
What did you make your little softbox out of (other than a plastic bag)? I've been thinking I'd like to make a little something I could carry out into the field.
How close to the flash head is the white plastic? From the picture it looks like it might be pretty close. If it's too close it won't really soften the light all that much because the flash head won't be able to illuminate the whole thing.
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
|
|
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2009, 01:27:50 PM » |
|
The diffuser is a white polystyrene bowl with a cutout to fit the flash head. I've replaced the Walmart bag with a sheet of white paper towel. The paper towel sits about 2-1/2" or so from the end of the flash. Want to go out and try things out again, but it's cold and windier'n sin today, and I'm just frustrating myself trying. And my little spider friend is gone... |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Gage
|
|
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2009, 02:03:10 PM » |
|
Can you trigger the flash while taking a picture of it at the same time? Like camera on a long exposure and manually triggering the flash in the frame, or maybe a mirror? Stop down the aperture and lower the flash power level so it isn't totally blown out. See if the flash is lighting the whole thing or not. I'm not so sure 2 1/2 inches will be enough.
A diffuser in itself doesn't soften the light, the light source itself has to be larger to do any softening. Maybe you could cover the inside of the bowl with foil or something to reflect as much light as possible forward.
I wish I was as persistent as you are. I always think I'd like to do more with stuff like HDR, focus stacking, and making little softboxes for my flashes, but I never get around to it.
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
|
|
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2009, 02:37:06 PM » |
|
I'll work on that, Alan. I'm thinking I need something about 5" or so deep for a more effective light, but haven't had time to fettle something. I need to work on rev. 1 of the bracket, and get my macro lens fixed. Found this guy on the wall today, though:  Any better? I went with more raking light for some depth. Work or no? Thanks, guys. Scott |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Gage
|
|
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2009, 03:53:49 PM » |
|
Yeah, I like that light better. A little more interesting than head on.
Fettle huh? Never heard that one before.
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
|
|
« Reply #10 on: April 05, 2009, 09:33:12 AM » |
|
Hi, Alan -
"Fettle" is a common term among hand tool users, especially those who use hand planes that need work (or "fettling") to be brought to usable shape.
I found out today that I can use a PC-sync'ed flash and a hot shoe flash simultaneously on the 20D. Lookout... :toocool:
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Gage
|
|
« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2009, 07:21:19 AM » |
|
Nice, that looks pretty sweet!
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Scott
|
|
« Reply #13 on: April 06, 2009, 11:55:36 AM » |
|
Thanks, Alan. Now I need to learn how to use it... :rolleyes:
Scott
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
