I want to get closer still ...

[jezlee]

Hello all - my current set-up is a Nikon D90 with a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG macro lens and an R1C1 Commander Flash kit for illumination. Which is fine with all reasonable-sized insects but I want to get even closer to very small insects and possibly go past 1:1 reproduction. What's the best way to go about this? Is it extension tubes? Teleconverters? Bellows? I'm confused ... has anybody got any helpful suggestions?

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by jezlee

Hello all - my current set-up is a Nikon D90 with a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG macro lens and an R1C1 Commander Flash kit for illumination. Which is fine with all reasonable-sized insects but I want to get even closer to very small insects and possibly go past 1:1 reproduction. What's the best way to go about this? Is it extension tubes? Teleconverters? Bellows? I'm confused ... has anybody got any helpful suggestions?

Hi Jez and welcome to the world of extreme macro

I am using Tubes, bellows, reversing Lenses, stereo microscopes and compound microscopes to do this for fungi.

Rather a long story, but one I shall write an article on for WAB soon.

For insects I would certainly start looking at extension tubes as a first step.

Hope this helps

John

[jezlee]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

Hi Jez and welcome to the world of extreme macro

I am using Tubes, bellows, reversing Lenses, stereo microscopes and compound microscopes to do this for fungi.

Rather a long story, but one I shall write an article on for WAB soon.

For insects I would certainly start looking at extension tubes as a first step.

Hope this helps

John

Hi John - thanks for your input! Do you have any recommendations for extension tubes? Have they got to have connections on them so that the TTL metering etc works still?

p.s. I look forward to your story!

[Lancashire Lad]

As the D90 gives the same 1.6 crop factor image "enlargement" as the D80 (which I use), my suggestion would be to consider a Sigma 1.4 x converter to use with your Sigma 105mm. (Would need to be the Sigma EX-DG version).

The combination will give you an effective maximum image ratio of just over twice life size (approx 2.24:1).

I use a D80 + Sigma 180mm for fungi photography, and haven't taken the 1.4x converter off since I bought it about three months back. - At closest focus, full frame = 16mm x 11mm.

I cannot detect any image degradation whatsoever using the converter.

Regards,
Mike.

[Geoff F]

If you want to get reasonable quality larger photos of small insects, I would say the only answer is to spend quite a bit of money and purchase a larger lens.

Like Mike, I use the 180 lens, and frequently find even this is a bit on the small side.

Tubes and converters are all very well for those inanimate objects but live insects are a totally different scenario. You need to act fast and ideally be able to work at 1 - 2 ft distance in a variety of lighting conditions.

A 105 mm lens is excellent for flowers and reasonable for butterflies, with care, but for anything smaller I would recommend 150 mm minimum. And you will still be thinking about attaching a converter to that.

By the time you add up the cost of purchasing alternative items like tubes, converters, etc you will be well on the way to a bigger macro lens without all the light loss problems which they cause.

If however, you already have a converter or need it for other purposes, then give it a go and see how you get on.

[Wizmatt]

In reply to Geoff Fs earlier comment, all macro lenses go to a magnification of 1:1 except specialist super macro lenses like the MPE. So getting a bigger focal length will not give you greater magnification, just greater working distance which I think is what Geoff F is implying. The same goes for teleconverters. To get closer you would indeed need extension tubes or bellows.

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Wizmatt

In reply to Geoff Fs earlier comment, all macro lenses go to a magnification of 1:1 except specialist super macro lenses like the MPE. So getting a bigger focal length will not give you greater magnification, just greater working distance which I think is what Geoff F is implying. The same goes for teleconverters. To get closer you would indeed need extension tubes or bellows.

Unless I am misunderstanding what you say here, your point about teleconverters is incorrect.

If I use my 180mm macro lens on its own, get 1:1 maximum magnification, multipled by 1.6 crop factor from the sensor, (Nikon D80), giving me an actual maximum image magnification of 1.6:1 (1.6 x life size).

If I then add the 1.4 x converter, I get 1.6 x 1.4 = 2.24 x life size. (Which is born out by the full viewable frame when using the converter only being 16mm x 11mm overall).

Also, the teleconverter has negligible effect on the distance between the lens and the subject, so the minimum focussing distance remains near as dammit the same, but with the images now magnified by a further 1.4 x.

Regards,
Mike.

[Wizmatt]

Oh yeah I forgot about that, my mistake.