Focus stacking and extreme macro

[wendyg]

I've seen so many incredible images of insects, I love these.

But really, how do you get an insect to stay still for more than a couple of seconds? No time to take several metered/ focussed pics?

Am I kidding myself that these bugs are still alive? (I'll be a bit sorry if this is the case)

Be honest!

[Comacchio]

I guess practice makes perfect. Having some decent equipment goes some way to helping too.

With a decent ringflash you can probably get about f/16 or upwards at 100th/200th of a second. That helps with things being in focus!

[14-7]

Most of the time using a proper macro flash and a high DOF will give you what you are after.

I'm not sure about some of the focus stacking stuff with live subjects though. I remember seeing one a while ago in a magazine that was a stacked image of a flies head side on that was something like 22 stacked images. I'm not 100% convinced you'd get a fly to stay still in one place for long enough to get 22 images in the exact spot whilst you do what you need to . Dead fly perhaps?

[LongQ]

Apparently one of the tricks is to chill the creature somewhat which tends to reduce their activity levels.

Quite how one does that effectively and consistently is unclear.

If you can keep them still (and have a flash system that will re-cycle fairly quickly if natural light is not an option) you can spend a little money on software and go for focus stacking via computer - assuming a compatible camera of course.

http://www.breezesys.com/DSLRRemotePro/focus_stack...


No doubt other options will appear in the near future - but they may take the fun out of it.

BTW - I haven't tried the focus stacking stuff but I have used other Breeze Systems software and trust the descriptions. I assume that the system willl allow quite small values for focus adjustment when using a suitable lens. But it is only an assumption that it would work for super-macro needs.

Edited by LongQ on Friday 1st July 03:30

[McMacro]

Only tried stacking a couple of times, but would NEVER consider freezing of any type. Just be prepared with the camera before going in for the shot, slow steady movements, and just fire away (starting from the head and moving back). It's not so easy hand-held, but practice makes perfect!



As for macro in general, a good lens is important, lighting is crucial!

I use the mp-e65mm and MT-24 flash, this flash gives you great control over lighting.

[dibbly dobbler]

I had a go at a focus stack but it was a bit of a faff tbh and the results were nothing to write home about!

I would never freeze or chill stuff either - that would be cruel on the little guys.

I reckon 99% of the stuff you have seen is just a case of stopping down with a good flash and maybe nudge the iso up a smidgin. I have nothing fancy in my set up but I can still get F16 at 1/200 - probably only gets you a few mm of dof but that's enough

[Cabinet Enforcer]

Apparently early morning is cool enough to find bugs still enough for 100+ stacks, this guy is doing some stunning stuff with MF and fancy focus rails:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnhallmen/540092007...

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