by successfulbob | Lumix GH4, Lumix Lounge, macro, photography, photography education, photography gear
What a difference a lens (and some extension tubes) can make!
I went back out to the trial chasing some wildflowers in Sedona, Arizona. But this time I came a bit more prepared for the subject with some extension tubes and a long lens to isolate and magnify the beauty something a wide lens just can’t do. (see images from the day before)
Having trouble finding the correct names for my desert flowers. This might be a Four O’Clock something or other. Any help from you botanical types??
Been trying to identify this flower… Has the shape of a type of Morning Glory but the
pistols extending out from the bell I think are telling me it’s something else. Any ideas for me?
OK enough with the flower naming conventions… Here’s the down low on the gear used.
Because I was on the trail I wanted to stay fairly light so I grabbed the MePhoto Backpacker Tripod. Pretty versatile and folds up to around 15 inches with it’s own shoulder case. Nice ball head with firm controls. Wasn’t sure I would like this tripod but it’s been serving me very well.
I wasn’t traveling to far so the Lumix GH4 was the camera of choice with a 35-100 f2.8 Lumix Vario lens. Extra lenses, extension tubes and other photo stuff was in the Think Tank Mirrorless Mover 20. Good build with enough room for a good selection of gear but still is unobtrusive on my belt.
I added some inexpensive extension tubes from Vello. When you shop for extension tubes make sure you get matched to your system so the auto-focus and exposure are automatic. If you only shoot macro images occasionally extension tubes can work great and save you the price of a dedicated macro lens.
To help control the lighting I used a 20 inch 5 in 1 reflector from FJ Westcott. This is small and light yet big enough to cover flowers fro the sun and give a nice glow to the lighting.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
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by successfulbob | Lumix GX7, macro, photography, photography education
Here’s an extension of the another post on getting in close by adding tubes to the lens… Playing with flowers and their pistols.
Small roses photographed after a short shower.
Day lilly image close-up. Playing and practicing
Vello Econo AF Extension Tubes. The Econo tubes were only $49.95 I’d thought I’d give them a whirl. More info here. The Lumix GX7 was great with the 35-100mm f2.8 Vario lens having the view of the image on the screen and being able to set the point of focus exactly where you want it to be.
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, macro, photography
Getting in close can really change how you can see the world…
But, purpose built macro lenses can get pretty pricey and with the new micro 4/3rds systems still growing it’s selection of lenses I was looking for a way to get in close without breaking the bank. Enter extension tubes. If you use them it allows you to convert any of your lenses to give you a whole new look. There is obviously the traditional extension tube manufaturing company Kenko that run around 180 bucks. I found a similar economy version made by a company called Vello. And they even call it Econo AF Extension Tubes. Since the Econo tubes were only $49.95 I’d thought I’d give them a whirl. Happy to report they work just fine. And, a bonus is that the auto-focus works just fine. With the Lumix GX7 having the view of the image on the screen and being able to set the point of focus exactly where you want it to be.
The kit contains a 10mm and 16mm tubes. You can use them alone or you can stack them for a 26mm extension. Ideally you want to be on a tripod when using extension tubes but if you are really steady and have the camera set at a fast enough shutter speed you can get away with hand holding as I have done here because I was on a trip and left the tripod at home.
Without just a little info you won’t be excited about this photo. The wasp is smaller than the tip of my little finger and the flowers are about the size of the last joint on my little finger.
Captured with the Lumix GX7 and the 35-100 mm f2.8 Vario Lens at 100mm with, I believe, 26mm of extension tubes attached. ISO 400 – f8 at 1/60th sec. Note that the lens was at it’s longest setting in order for the tubes to focus properly. You can’t zoom throughout the entire range on a zoom lens.
I’ll revisit this idea in some future posts as I really like the different perspective you achieve by getting in close. As always if you have any question don’t hesitate to ask or drop a comment on the page.
Yours in Photography, Bob
