naturecloseups
Mu-43 Regular
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2010
- Messages
- 93
A few people have reached out to me asking for high magnification examples on the E-PL1.
High-magnification photographs are not something that I enjoy making. I found my niche in making earthy, casually posed yet intimate portraits of the "bug next-doors" taken in their natural environments, or the occassional flower (typically when my wife urges me to). Besides, I work using available light with just a hint of fill-flash, but the nature of high-mag photography is such that outdoor photography using available light poses certain challenges. However, it can be enjoyable once in a while.
Here's my preferred rig for the "true macro" realms (beyond 1:1). I'll keep the textual explanations short since a picture is worth youknowwhat.
Coming next: some quick and dirty example shots (to show range of magnifications obtainable) and a couple relatively carefully taken sample shots.
High-magnification photographs are not something that I enjoy making. I found my niche in making earthy, casually posed yet intimate portraits of the "bug next-doors" taken in their natural environments, or the occassional flower (typically when my wife urges me to). Besides, I work using available light with just a hint of fill-flash, but the nature of high-mag photography is such that outdoor photography using available light poses certain challenges. However, it can be enjoyable once in a while.
Here's my preferred rig for the "true macro" realms (beyond 1:1). I'll keep the textual explanations short since a picture is worth youknowwhat.
Here's the optical rig mounted on the E-PL1. You'll see I am using a focusing rail (the one made by Minolta, the best I have ever used -- the Novoflex Castel comes close). Using a focusing rail for reversed lens photography is not optional. It is a necessity if you want consistent results. The whole setup is mounted on an RRS BH-25 ballhead mounted atop a Manfrotto 190MF4 magnesium+carbon fiber composite tripod legs.
And here is the composition of the optical rig. Before you get confused -- the only purpose of the E2 extension ring is to act as a lens shade for the exposed rear of the reversed lens. However, it also has a handy release-button that lets you open up the aperture when you press it. A handy trick is to attach a Nikon cable release AR-2 to it and lock it while pressed, find precise focus while the diaphragm is opened all the way up then release the cable lock to stop down before picture taking.
Do not confuse the lens with the Cosina made 35-70/3.5-4.5 zoom bundled with the FM10, that is an entirely different (lesser) animal
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
And here is the composition of the optical rig. Before you get confused -- the only purpose of the E2 extension ring is to act as a lens shade for the exposed rear of the reversed lens. However, it also has a handy release-button that lets you open up the aperture when you press it. A handy trick is to attach a Nikon cable release AR-2 to it and lock it while pressed, find precise focus while the diaphragm is opened all the way up then release the cable lock to stop down before picture taking.
Do not confuse the lens with the Cosina made 35-70/3.5-4.5 zoom bundled with the FM10, that is an entirely different (lesser) animal
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Coming next: some quick and dirty example shots (to show range of magnifications obtainable) and a couple relatively carefully taken sample shots.