Ok, You be the judge of this photo...

After reading many, many posts about macro shots, I decided to go with the 105mm f/2.8G AF-S VR IF-ED from your recommendations. This glass is a little challenging for me to use, just started today but what do you think of it? Any tips from you guys that have one on getting that ultra close-up? I try to get close with it and images blur but if I pull back a ways it seems to give me a little better shot.
Thanks! :o)

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carlos Echenique on May 31, 2009 at 6:51pm

I would be nervous being that close to a wasp. Nice capture. On my calibrated monitor the WB looks a hair off, but that might be the JPEG conversion. Did you shoot this RAW? I would check that and maybe tweak up the contrast a hair to give a little more kick.

Carlos

Permalink Reply by Jonathan on May 31, 2009 at 8:08pm

sweet shot.. this makes me want to get the lens. but yeah, i agree with carlos, i would be terrified to be that close to a wasp, if it was a bumble bee it would be fun :) i love bumble bee shots. i have seen some sweet macro shots of ants. if you have a teleconverter to increase the magnification then maybe some macro filters, i think it might be a good combo with the lens to get extreme macro magnification.

oh, and i hope you took that wasp nest down after you took the picture ;)

Permalink Reply by Paul McBride on June 4, 2009 at 3:43am

Todd:

If you want to get really close-up, I might recommend getting a set of Kenko extension tubes. You can get them at Adorama (see here), use them with any lens, and they allow you to get really, really close. I find that they work well with the 105 VR; I sometimes stack all three tubes together to get very tight shots.

Nice shot, by the way!

Permalink Reply by ToddZilla on June 4, 2009 at 2:33pm

Thanks guys for the feedback, I played with the image in Photoshop but when I tried tried to increase the saturation/contrast more than I did, it made the wood in the background look really off. This was shot in normal jpeg mode on a tripod, the lens was about 1 foot away, been watching it for a while, and the wasp kept moving around watching me, LOL, I still want to photograph it about once a week and watch the nest grow. It's best to shot them in the evening when it's cooled off and there tired, they don't have as much activity. :o)

I've added the extension tubes to my wish list! They seem to have a good review! Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Jack J Williamson on June 9, 2009 at 6:22pm

That is a pretty good photo of a bald face hornet. What shutter speed, f stop, iso?

Permalink Reply by Jack J Williamson on June 9, 2009 at 6:58pm

By the way Jonathan bumblebees sting too. There is a bee that looks like a bumblebee, the carpenter bee. Carpenter bees bore holes in wood to lay their eggs. They are larger than bumblebees. Bumblebees are a little smaller and will sting and they hurt.

Permalink Reply by al Sharp on June 10, 2009 at 10:02am

Very nice. I agree with Carlos about being that close to a wasp.wonderful detail in the "nest" edges.

Permalink Reply by ToddZilla on June 17, 2009 at 11:54pm

Thanks guys for the great feedback. I love that picture of the fly, too bad he was mooning you, LOL :o)
I took this photo with the 105mm the other day, a little safer, on a tripod with a shutter release. I can't remember the f/stop and stuff, usually don't pay to much attention to that when I'm processing photo's. Hope you guys like this one. Give me some feedback please...

Permalink Reply by Bill Perry on July 2, 2009 at 7:18am

Great shot, I use this lens also. Thanks for sharing.

Permalink Reply by Michael Garrison on July 2, 2009 at 12:15pm

I just got a Sigma 17-70 f 2.8 and am learning to use it as well. Here are a few of the shots that I have taken over the last 24 hours. These are some of the 'keepers'. Many many more sit somewhere on my hard drive as recycled. ALL suggestions and comments appreciated.

F 11 ISO 250 1/400 D70

f/11 ISO 320 1/125

f/6.3 ISO 400 1/8

All were hand held. Comments, suggestions, critique greatly appreciated.

Permalink Reply by ToddZilla on July 3, 2009 at 6:58pm

Those look great! I really like the bottom one, I like sunsets. The top 2 look good but the brightness or levels need to be adjusted a little so they don't look so dark? I'm not a pro but that's what I notice most. Keep up the good work!

Permalink Reply by chloe on July 12, 2009 at 5:10am

WOW!

i will receive my 105mm micro in the mail this week & after looking at this photograph & reading the comments i'm veryyyy happy with my decision :D