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PICTARS! Moth and Eggs Super DOF Macro

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
Jan 2, 2006
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http://fuzzybabybunny.smugmug.com/gallery/2814368/1/150401926#150401926

This guy flew into my room and was fluttering like nuts. I caught this 1.5 inch long moth and watched it laying little green eggs. I let it do its thing during the night and then I photographed it in the daytime in my lightbox, where it stayed nice and still because moths are nocturnal. I released it in the evening.

All pictures were processed with Helicon Focus focus stacking software, which to me is absolutely indispensable for things like macro or any other photography that requires huge DOF.

Each picture took an average of 20 stacked pictures to make.

Pictures taken with:

Canon 50mm f/1.4 (a $70 f/1.8 would work just fine)
Pro Optic Extension Tubes ($80)
Tripod
Cheapo Macro focusing rail (required): http://cgi.ebay.com/Macro-Shot-Focusing...5QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Wired Shutter Remote
 

Patt

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2000
5,288
2
81
Sweet shots. I've really got to get myself a good macro lens. And a DSLR too :)
 

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
Jan 2, 2006
10,455
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Originally posted by: ghostman
AMAZING!

I just got a set of Pro Optic extension tubes, but I haven't put it to use yet. I hate the idea of having to drop more money for the Helicon Focus software and the focusing rail if I were to ever accomplish a shot like this though.

Has anyone ever tried this for focus stacking?
http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZM/combinezm.htm

I've tried it. The only problem that I have with CombineZ is that it doesn't work with 16-bit images, only 8-bit ones. It's really not too big of a deal though. It works quite well.
 

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
Jan 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: Aharami
doesnt it look a tad bit overexposed?

A bit. For my lightbox stuff I generally like my pictures to be a bit brighter, especially in this case because I wanted to retain detail in the dark hair of the moth, especially the underside that doesn't get that much light.
 

TheoPetro

Banned
Nov 30, 2004
3,499
1
0
I hope someone finds you and pays you an ass load of $ for your work. Every time you put stuff up its good. I honestly cant say a bad thing about it.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
I seriously gotta get some tubes and a rail. I like that software quite a bit....though it's pricey.