Macro PhotographyPresenter: David Bee

August 2019

Macro vs Close FocusMacro Photography is the representation of a subject at close to 1:1 or greater.

Close Focus Macro

Macro Examples

Close-up vs Macro Examples

Macro Examples

! Macro vs Close FocusClose Focus photography is simply getting in very close to the subject so that you can see details that you would not normally see.

Close Focus Examples

Equipment Needed• Tripod

• Cable Release, self-timer or remote trigger

• Camera

• Any lens (macro lens are best for true macro, but not necessary)

• Teleconverter

• Lighting (natural, flash, LED, studio)

• Reflector (or other light shaping tools)

• PATIENCE for Trial and Error

Focus RailA focus rail allows you to make small adjustments to the focus point without touching the camera or lens. (Neewer $40)

Extension TubesExtension Tubes push the lens further from the sensor and allow you to get closer to the subject. They go between the camera and the lens, so buy the type that allows electronic connections. ($30-$50)

Focus BellowsFocus Bellows act like extension tubes but do not allow electrical connections to the camera. ($40-50)

Reversing RingReversing rings screw on to the front of a lens like a filter. The other side of the ring is designed to connect to the camera. This reverses the lens allowing great magnification. You must be able to change the aperture manually.

Achromatic Close-up LensThese screw on to the end of a lens like a filter. But you don’t reverse the lens. It magnifies the images. Good lenses cost about $100 - $150. Buy only a good lens. Buy the largest size (77mm) and get reducing rings to fit your lenses.

PlampThese are clamps made by Wimberley with a hard clamp on one side and a soft clamp on the other. Useful for holding flowers in windy conditions and reflectors. ($43)

Ring LightsRing Lights fit around the lens and provide a flash of light. They should have colored filters and reducing rings to fit most all lenses. (Neewer $30)

Flash with DiffuserAlmost any flash will work. A diffuser helps soften the light. Off camera is best since the lens may get in the way of the light.

Additional Equipment Just Shown

• Focus Rail

• Extension Tubes

• Focus Bellows

• Reversing Ring

• Achromatic Close-up Lens

• Clamps and Clips

• Ring Light

• Flash with Diffuser

Other Equipment You Might Want

• Small Flashlight (for light painting)

• Spray Bottle (for wetting subjects, use glycerin to improve droplets)

• Backdrops (cloth, large images, paper)

• Work Surface (glass, wood, counter top)

• Additional tripods for lights or reflectors

• Use flash and/or reflectors to light subject. Gels and colored reflectors.

• Hold the subject with clamps if necessary (fresh cut flowers move as they wilt).

• Bugs are harder as they don’t pose - trial and error.

• Light from below by using a glass table, a sheet of glass or a glass dish.

• Use a tripod and cable release to eliminate camera shake.

• Shutter speed is key even if you have to raise ISO and open up the lens.

• Use a flash to freeze the subject if you can’t get a fast shutter speed.

Setup Notes

As with any subject, lighting is key. Find a subject, find a way to light it, and practice.

• Use mirror lockup if you have a DSLR.

• Always use Live View if you have it and manually focus.

• If you have trouble close focusing, set the lens to the closest focal distance and then move the camera (or subject) back and forth to get the subject in focus.

• Remember, close focusing and/or macro lenses have a very, very shallow DOF.

• Macro lenses have ratios instead of distances on the focus collar. Use 1:1 for true macro.

• Trial and error and lots of patience.

• Use focus stacking techniques for better DOF.

Setup Notes

As with any subject, lighting is key. Find a subject, find a way to light it, and practice.

Focus Stacking and Tethering

• Focus stacking is taking several images at different focusing points and combining them.

• You can stack images by moving the lens focus point, using built in focus stacking (Nikon) or by using a focus rail.

• CamRanger and Control My Nikon are also good stacking tools but do NOT work with Sony cameras.

• With focus stacking you can use a shallower depth of field and lower ISO. Use a lot of images. Trial and error again.

• Use software made for combining the images. I use Helicon Focus since it gives me several different methods to stack the images. Zerene Stacker is also good. Both may allow you to control the focus points remotely and do the focus moves for you.

• Capture One for Sony (Express) does NOT allow tethered capture.

• Use Sony Imaging Edge Software for tether capturing: https://imagingedge.sony.net/en-us/ie-desktop.html

Focus Stacking Software

Cam Ranger (for wireless

tethering)

Control My Nikon (for Nikon tethered to

a PC Only)

Source for BugsA Nearby Field or Your Own Yard

The Butterfly Company thebutterflycompany.com

Macro PhotographyTests and Demonstrations

Nikon with 105mm Macro Lens

At 2:1 ratio

At 1:1 ratio

At 1:1 with teleconverter

Nikon with a 20mm Wide Angle Lens

At close focus distance

With Reversing Ring

Sony with 24-240 at 100mm

Without Ext. Tube (30” distance)

With 10mm Ext. Tube (20” distance)

With 16mm Ext. Tube (17” distance)

Sony with 24-240 at 100mm

With 26mm Ext. Tube (16” distance)

With 26mm Ext. Tube and Close Up Lens

(13” distance)

Move to Live Demo