Method for photographing insects.

[Seajay]

Just beginning to make the first exploration into macro photography for insects. I have the Nikon R1 ring flash, a 70-200 nikkor VR, 105mm Nikkor macro lens (not the new VR one) and a Canon 500D close-up lens to attach to the 70-200. The results so far are pretty good though the vast majority of shots are binned but am having problems with the tripod which I find clumsy and pretty much tiresome in the field. Does anyone use a monopod? What about extenders? The problems I can foresee with a monopod which I would prefer is how do you balance the camera and perhaps hold a slave unit flash with the other. Do you wait at a good spot for the insects to come to you or move about?
What method do you find works best in the field I suppose is what I am really asking.

Colin

[DavyG]

I use a monpod for around 95% of my photographs, normally using a Sigma 150mm for macro work or the Bigma for birds.

I find the monopod easy to use, quick to alter and, when used in conjunction with a ball head, very flexible and adaptable.

I either use a macro flash, ring or twin, or a standard flash unit which is mounted on a camera bracket, either set up works well.

I hope this helps.

Dave

[slimrbp]

Hi Similar to Dave really.

I use a Canon 100mm Macro and shoot with a Monopod most of the time, although I do carry a beanbag for those lowdown shots.

I am using flash it will be a ring flash.

Cheers,

Richard

[zail]

I use Nikon D70, sigma 105 macra and ring flash - no monopod or tripod or bean bag as yet so all is handheld which gives a few issues esp when trying to get max DOF! But it is possible!

[Ollie]

Everyone to their own thing and what works for some people obviously doesn't work for others.

It's certainly possible to use a monopod with excellent results and to hand hold as well. I use a Sigma 150mm macro lens with a flash unit and diffuser mounted on an off camera bracket. I always use a tripod because it's what I feel most comfortable with. The tripod can be a pain sometimes but it gives me the confidence to take those difficult shots.

If you feel at ease and relaxed with your set up then good photos will come naturally in my opinion anyway.

There will be many differing opinions as to which is best, but at the end of the day it's down to what suits you.
Roger

[Geoff F]

I suspose it really all comes down to how much depth of field you have and how close you can get. Proper macro lenses help but I find that when using a zoom lens with extension tube my dof is frequently around 1/2 inch at best so a tripod can be tricky and a monopod is useless.

As for 'in the field' problems. There are a number of tricks to be learnt, which will vary from person to person. This is what I have found. Adjust legs to different lengths as required. When moving through brambles and other thick undergrowth, lift the tripod high enough to clear before moving then carry it horizontally; adjust leg lengths for easiest carrying. Always walk with the legs pointing away from you. I often set the legs closer together, but beware of tripod fallover. I tie the cable release to the tripod handle so it is easy to reach.

Creaping about in undergrowth while carrying a tripod will always be difficult; patience is required. If your support isn't absolutely steady use a higher shutter speed, but it might require a high ISO. I find that extension tubes lose a bit of light so !SO 800 is normal for me when using a zoom plus tube. Using Image Stabilisation, where applicable, does appear to help if the tripod/monopod is a bit shaky.

When using manual focus, essential for extension tubes or converters, I find that a tripod is a must have option.

And yes, there are good and bad spots for insect photography just like any other subject. Check your position relative to the light, particularly sunlight. Be patient and wait for subjects to come to you instead of endlessly chasing them around. When slowly moving around don't let your shadow fall on the subject; it is a sure way to scare them.

Like most types of photography, experiment and learn. You never stop learning. I find that I have to discard 90% of photos. Besides total failures, only keeping the best few of each subject reduces the photo storage problem.

[pressld2]

I'm the complete opposite to most responses so far in that I'm almost exclusively hand-held for macro. I just find a tripod too cumbersome and too fiddly to set up. The insect has pretty much always cleared off long before I'm set right. I also find that subject movement, either due to wind or to the animal itself, means I can rarely drop my shutter speed below 1/100th of a second anyway. With good technique you can handhold a 150mm macro lens (which is what I use) at 1/100th of a second with no problems. My normal set up is three SB-R200 flashes mounted on the end of the lens as this allows me to use 1/100th or faster and still have an aperture between f11 and f16 for depth of field.

On very rare occasions, with a co-operative subject and zero wind, I will use a tripod, e.g. this ringlet which was a 2 second exposure at f22...



Dave P.

[Seajay]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I think I'll just keep experimenting till I come up with what suits. I certainly won't rule out the tripod completely as it does permit me to handhold a SB200 speedflash and direct the light exactly where I want it plus use a reflector. I'll also look into the feasibility of some sort of bracket or arm for the monopod.
Good results are possible handheld but viewed later at 100% most are binned as not good enough. Fine for the 70-200 though with VR on. (I wonder if the 105mm with VR is woth upgrading to. Anyone able to comment?)
To see these creatures in close-up with their beautiful colours makes everything worthwhile though. It's like another, surreal world!

Colin

[ron1863]

Just to add that no matter if it's a tripod, monopod or bean-bag, forget it on a windy day, your camera might be steady but insects, flowers etc won't be.

[Jon]

Originally Posted by Seajay

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I think I'll just keep experimenting till I come up with what suits. I certainly won't rule out the tripod completely as it does permit me to handhold a SB200 speedflash and direct the light exactly where I want it plus use a reflector. I'll also look into the feasibility of some sort of bracket or arm for the monopod.
Good results are possible handheld but viewed later at 100% most are binned as not good enough. Fine for the 70-200 though with VR on. (I wonder if the 105mm with VR is woth upgrading to. Anyone able to comment?)
To see these creatures in close-up with their beautiful colours makes everything worthwhile though. It's like another, surreal world!

Colin

A pal of mine has the Nikon VR macro lens - it produces great results, but there have been times he couldn't get shots that I did because he didn't have enough reach. In fairness he could take handheld images that I could not get reliably with a monopod.
As fas as I know Nikon is the only VR macro lens - excellent but not 150 or 180mm. Sorry if I have not helped but I did a lot of agonising before I decided on a new macro lens. I think it is a good idea to be absolutely clear in your mind what it is you want to do and how you will do it.
Jon