Absolutely wonderful intro to macro .I can say this video is better than some professional macro photographer talking about say intro to macro.I do macro photography.Hope to see some more videos on macro.Best of luck.
Thank you so much for your special video for macrophotography of wild life. I was fully impressed and encouraged by your video series including gimbal review(part1 to 3). I usually use Canon EF 100mm macro or RF 100mm macro lenses with extension tube for taking short video of japanese butterflies, various insects and flowers. Today I have joined to your member. I hope your health and successes in nature photography!
I started with macro before becoming a wildlife photographer. I think you did an excellent job for a wildlife photographer wanting to add macro to your game. I too like to shoot both macro and wildlife at eye level, just makes it a little more personal. Also agree that most wildlife photographers won't want to mess with focus stacking when you are mainly out to shoot wildlife. in my opinion stacking is better used when macro is you main intention for that outing. For people that don't want black backgrounds, set camera exposure to just slightly under expose the background and the flash to fill in and freeze the subject. This is just a starting point as it's not that simple but it is a start.
Enjoyed the video, Scott. I started my photography journey with macro…Nikon D5000 and the Tammy 90mm. Absolutely loved this combo and had more fun with macro back then when I used to run and gun. I don’t do so much of this type of macro anymore; most of my stuff is early morning “natural” setups (I don’t have to chase anything as the bugs are still roosting). Also owned the Tokina for a while - fantastic lens. Great price and I believe sharper than the Brand by a wee smidge (at that point I was with Canon). No need for AF and IS etc. Like you, I jump between macro and birds. Great images Scott. Always been a big fan.
A very nice addition to my macro kit.......knee pads. Sounds crazy..but if you're doing a lot of macro on some very unforgiving surfaces, you'll thank me later. Nice video Scott.
Scott, I was just looking at a Nikon macro and asking myself if I had enough interest to justify the plunge. :) Very helpful to have a video with a focus on practical value.
Hi Scott, thanks for the video. I am a hobbyist bird photographer and when out and about like to take the occasional macro photo, well close closeup. My main camera is the Sony a7iv with the 100-400 GM lens. I have an old Nikon D90 and wondering what your thoughts are with D90 with the lens you use for macro? I also have a Z50 with the two kit lens. Should I use the D90 or the Z50? I have the FTZ adapter so could try both I guess. Or would the little pancake kit lens with the Z50 get me by? The Z50 kit would be lighter I guess. I don’t want to be changing lenses on the a7iv. Thanks again.
Scott, thanks for always bringing such great contents in your videos. Question: Would you consider making a future episode on resizing for different purposes? Since you do uploads for various online channels as well as you do prints I'm wondering how your output workflow looks like. I'd like to learn a lot more about this. Thanks Nick
The honest answer is maybe. Keep in mind I have premium content on my Patreon subscription site (its a great value at 8 bucks a month and you get access to almost 100 videos as soon as you sign up). So some content I keep exlusive for them. I have done a video on this topic on Patreon and will consider doing one here as well.
Brilliant. I also do both bird and macro in the field. But without flash yet. Too cumbersome for me. I use D500 and 200-500 zoom at 500mm and nikon 85mm macro . Looking forward to your next video ;-)
Thank you for this! I recently started dipping my toes into macro and everything I have been seeing is about stacking, which was leaving me pretty dissatisfied with the outcomes. I think I have a flash lying around somewhere I’ll try out next time!
D500 is great for macro, BUT the D850 (if you already have one) has almost the same pixel density so you can choose between a more "environmental" shot and a "portrait" version. I don't understand his point about having a dedicated setup, either. When I go out, it's very purpose driven. If not, I'll be carrying WAY too much gear.
If my main target is hawks, lets say, and I am hiking 1 mile to get to the look out, Its nice to have something to capture a cool insect, which is very tough to do with a long lens. Or maybe I am working on my native gardens, I will often just grab the dedicated macro set up and keep it with me outside in case I see something. Remember the theme is "... for the wildlife photographer" Just sharing how I dabble in macro as someone primarily doing wildlife.
Hey Scott what is the reason to downsize images as low as 1500 pixels wide. For Flickr I downsize to 3000x2000 and for instagram downsize to 2700 wide. Do you downsize this low for copyright reasons?
IG is only 1080 wide and last I checked FB downsized to 2k. While Flickr has better resolution, I got tired of posting to multiple places and different resolutions so 1500 was a good compromise. And yes there is a part that doesn't like leaving up high res images on Flickr that people might poach.
@@WildlifeInspired Ah ok thanks, does make sense to have 1 standard resolution for web use rather than creating multiple copies. I know instagram is very low resolution but I worked out what resolution to upload the otherway around, I started with full size and got terrible compression then gradually tested lower and lower until I was happy with 2700 on the long end for vertical or horizontal photos and keep below 1.3mb and I was happy at that. So I haven't tested even lower resolution but im sure 1500 would be fine as well.
That is not a ring flash! A ring flash the light goes all the way round. The flash you showed is a twin macro flash so the photographer has more control over the lighting. Most twin light flashes have left and right independent controls, plus most one can detach the lights to create better lighting for the situation. Thought you might like to know.
One thing that makes me wonder if I even should watch this is the extreme drop off of the light intensity towards the background in the announcement image - this to me points to too strong flash usage because all macro photographers that I personally know do everything in their powers to avoid that black background... There also seems to be a lack of shadows, that too is a hallmark of a suboptimal lighting setup... I just hope we don't get any gems like the "shallow depth of field is linked to the focal length" (which it isn't in any type of photography but especially not true in macro photography - DOF always depends on magnification, towards infinity it's common practice to use the focal length instead but you could use straight magnification there too), or that DOF is 1/3rd before and 2/3rd behind the focal plane (which isn't true at large magnification ratios, up until a magnification of 1:5 it's much more evenly distributed at 1/2 in front of the focal plane and 1/2 behind the focal plane). And because of that DOF distribution you are wasting quite a bit of possible DOF if you use autofocus on for example the eyes of your subject if they are prominent, like in a preying mantis or a dragonfly. In both these cases it is better to focus a bit further into the subject to have as much of the subject covered by the DOF - the autofocus would probably place the focal plane on the closest bit of detail of your subject - thus wasting half of the precious DOF for the air in front of your subject.
Karl, the title is macro for the wildlife photographer and I make it clear that I am NOT a macro photographer. I have lot of wildlife friends who enjoy macro on the side and this shows a very entry level setup that wildlife photographers can use as they are in the field. No stacking, no special lighting, all outside. TONS of black backgrounds. I suggest you don't watch and just focus on videos that suit your needs.
@@WildlifeInspired I do all my macro photography in the field, black backgrounds are completely unnecessary unless you insist on using a flash mounted to the camera... For aesthetic (not scientific determination) macro photography flash guns are the most expensive and the most useless item you will ever waste your money on. Get yourself a hand held 20 inch/55cm folding diffusor/reflector combo and forget about the flash gun. A wildlife photographer usually carries around a hefty tripod and long lenses, use them, combine your lens with a teleconverter and add an extension tube between the converter and lens to reduce the closest focusing distance. That will give you great macros without having to resort to a flash gun, the diffusor/reflector gives you control over the lighting, you'll not get those wretched black backgrounds and the diffusor in between your subject and the sun will result in a decent balance between lighting quality and required light levels to be able to stop down if DOF isn't sufficient out of the box (because your magnification will be good but not that extreme). If you have a 300 or 400mm lens and a 36mm extension tube and a 1.4x teleconverter you can usually pull off a lot of macro shots without ever needing a macro lens...
I'm doing two parts. Part 1. This. Is a simple macro set up. A cheap crop with a dedicated macro lens. Flash mounted with diffuser. Part 2 is using existing wildlife gear (70-200, 300mm) combined with a TC and it extension tubes. Two different videos. Show me some of your work. I'm looking for a guest speaker and hopefully you're not as condescending as you come off in your written replies.
@@WildlifeInspired The Life and Times of a creator. That's why I gave it up years ago. But Scott, Part 2 sounds interesting. There was a time that I used my 300mm f/4 and Nikon bellow in the field for Mushrooms. More the challenge than anything. If it weren't for my bike and small baby trailer, it would never have happened. I'm not a fan of Black-outs but there are times it can be reversed and the background would be overexposed for a high-key image. (strobe not required).
Check the description for a discount code that is valid for the AK diffuser
Absolutely wonderful intro to macro .I can say this video is better than some professional macro photographer talking about say intro to macro.I do macro photography.Hope to see some more videos on macro.Best of luck.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for your special video for macrophotography of wild life. I was fully impressed and encouraged by your video series including gimbal review(part1 to 3).
I usually use Canon EF 100mm macro or RF 100mm macro lenses with extension tube for taking short video of japanese butterflies, various insects and flowers.
Today I have joined to your member.
I hope your health and successes in nature photography!
Really helpful video. I just got a macro lens and I’m going out tomorrow morning to give it a try.
Scott - Great information - Thanks
Thanks Roger. I'll be looking
Good one Scott ! I took a lot time to figure out a few of the points in this video. Waiting for the next to shorten the learning curve.
I enjoyed this - glad I got to catch it live. 🙂
Thanks !
I'd never seen the AK unit. Very cool! Thanks
I like to support good people, i get nothing from mentioning them other than they are really nice and I like to recognize nice people.
I started with macro before becoming a wildlife photographer. I think you did an excellent job for a wildlife photographer wanting to add macro to your game. I too like to shoot both macro and wildlife at eye level, just makes it a little more personal. Also agree that most wildlife photographers won't want to mess with focus stacking when you are mainly out to shoot wildlife. in my opinion stacking is better used when macro is you main intention for that outing. For people that don't want black backgrounds, set camera exposure to just slightly under expose the background and the flash to fill in and freeze the subject. This is just a starting point as it's not that simple but it is a start.
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed and appreciate the insight from someone more experienced with macro
Enjoyed the video, Scott. I started my photography journey with macro…Nikon D5000 and the Tammy 90mm. Absolutely loved this combo and had more fun with macro back then when I used to run and gun. I don’t do so much of this type of macro anymore; most of my stuff is early morning “natural” setups (I don’t have to chase anything as the bugs are still roosting). Also owned the Tokina for a while - fantastic lens. Great price and I believe sharper than the Brand by a wee smidge (at that point I was with Canon). No need for AF and IS etc. Like you, I jump between macro and birds. Great images Scott. Always been a big fan.
Thanks my friend.
A very nice addition to my macro kit.......knee pads. Sounds crazy..but if you're doing a lot of macro on some very unforgiving surfaces, you'll thank me later. Nice video Scott.
I can respect that, I've cramped up more than once at my advancing age!
Scott, I was just looking at a Nikon macro and asking myself if I had enough interest to justify the plunge. :) Very helpful to have a video with a focus on practical value.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Scott, thanks for the video. I am a hobbyist bird photographer and when out and about like to take the occasional macro photo, well close closeup. My main camera is the Sony a7iv with the 100-400 GM lens. I have an old Nikon D90 and wondering what your thoughts are with D90 with the lens you use for macro? I also have a Z50 with the two kit lens. Should I use the D90 or the Z50? I have the FTZ adapter so could try both I guess. Or would the little pancake kit lens with the Z50 get me by? The Z50 kit would be lighter I guess. I don’t want to be changing lenses on the a7iv. Thanks again.
Scott, thanks for always bringing such great contents in your videos.
Question: Would you consider making a future episode on resizing for different purposes? Since you do uploads for various online channels as well as you do prints I'm wondering how your output workflow looks like. I'd like to learn a lot more about this.
Thanks
Nick
The honest answer is maybe. Keep in mind I have premium content on my Patreon subscription site (its a great value at 8 bucks a month and you get access to almost 100 videos as soon as you sign up). So some content I keep exlusive for them. I have done a video on this topic on Patreon and will consider doing one here as well.
Brilliant. I also do both bird and macro in the field. But without flash yet. Too cumbersome for me. I use D500 and 200-500 zoom at 500mm and nikon 85mm macro . Looking forward to your next video ;-)
Thanks Patrick!
Thank you for this! I recently started dipping my toes into macro and everything I have been seeing is about stacking, which was leaving me pretty dissatisfied with the outcomes. I think I have a flash lying around somewhere I’ll try out next time!
Can't hurt to try
Hi Scott, the diffuser link is not going to the diffuser, is going to the Tokina lens. Great video!
Thanks for that! ill fix now!
Does the Z9 3d Subject tracking work with insects? F.e. does it stay locked on on flying butterflies?
It does but sometimes it will lock on an odd part of the subject like a spot on a caterpillar. I went to single point AF a lot for this instead
D500 is great for macro, BUT the D850 (if you already have one) has almost the same pixel density so you can choose between a more "environmental" shot and a "portrait" version. I don't understand his point about having a dedicated setup, either. When I go out, it's very purpose driven. If not, I'll be carrying WAY too much gear.
If my main target is hawks, lets say, and I am hiking 1 mile to get to the look out, Its nice to have something to capture a cool insect, which is very tough to do with a long lens. Or maybe I am working on my native gardens, I will often just grab the dedicated macro set up and keep it with me outside in case I see something. Remember the theme is "... for the wildlife photographer" Just sharing how I dabble in macro as someone primarily doing wildlife.
Hey Scott what is the reason to downsize images as low as 1500 pixels wide. For Flickr I downsize to 3000x2000 and for instagram downsize to 2700 wide. Do you downsize this low for copyright reasons?
IG is only 1080 wide and last I checked FB downsized to 2k. While Flickr has better resolution, I got tired of posting to multiple places and different resolutions so 1500 was a good compromise. And yes there is a part that doesn't like leaving up high res images on Flickr that people might poach.
@@WildlifeInspired Ah ok thanks, does make sense to have 1 standard resolution for web use rather than creating multiple copies.
I know instagram is very low resolution but I worked out what resolution to upload the otherway around, I started with full size and got terrible compression then gradually tested lower and lower until I was happy with 2700 on the long end for vertical or horizontal photos and keep below 1.3mb and I was happy at that. So I haven't tested even lower resolution but im sure 1500 would be fine as well.
That is not a ring flash! A ring flash the light goes all the way round. The flash you showed is a twin macro flash so the photographer has more control over the lighting. Most twin light flashes have left and right independent controls, plus most one can detach the lights to create better lighting for the situation. Thought you might like to know.
Easy with the exclamation points boss. I got it, NOT A RING FLASH!
One thing that makes me wonder if I even should watch this is the extreme drop off of the light intensity towards the background in the announcement image - this to me points to too strong flash usage because all macro photographers that I personally know do everything in their powers to avoid that black background... There also seems to be a lack of shadows, that too is a hallmark of a suboptimal lighting setup...
I just hope we don't get any gems like the "shallow depth of field is linked to the focal length" (which it isn't in any type of photography but especially not true in macro photography - DOF always depends on magnification, towards infinity it's common practice to use the focal length instead but you could use straight magnification there too), or that DOF is 1/3rd before and 2/3rd behind the focal plane (which isn't true at large magnification ratios, up until a magnification of 1:5 it's much more evenly distributed at 1/2 in front of the focal plane and 1/2 behind the focal plane). And because of that DOF distribution you are wasting quite a bit of possible DOF if you use autofocus on for example the eyes of your subject if they are prominent, like in a preying mantis or a dragonfly. In both these cases it is better to focus a bit further into the subject to have as much of the subject covered by the DOF - the autofocus would probably place the focal plane on the closest bit of detail of your subject - thus wasting half of the precious DOF for the air in front of your subject.
Karl, the title is macro for the wildlife photographer and I make it clear that I am NOT a macro photographer. I have lot of wildlife friends who enjoy macro on the side and this shows a very entry level setup that wildlife photographers can use as they are in the field. No stacking, no special lighting, all outside. TONS of black backgrounds. I suggest you don't watch and just focus on videos that suit your needs.
@@WildlifeInspired I do all my macro photography in the field, black backgrounds are completely unnecessary unless you insist on using a flash mounted to the camera... For aesthetic (not scientific determination) macro photography flash guns are the most expensive and the most useless item you will ever waste your money on.
Get yourself a hand held 20 inch/55cm folding diffusor/reflector combo and forget about the flash gun. A wildlife photographer usually carries around a hefty tripod and long lenses, use them, combine your lens with a teleconverter and add an extension tube between the converter and lens to reduce the closest focusing distance. That will give you great macros without having to resort to a flash gun, the diffusor/reflector gives you control over the lighting, you'll not get those wretched black backgrounds and the diffusor in between your subject and the sun will result in a decent balance between lighting quality and required light levels to be able to stop down if DOF isn't sufficient out of the box (because your magnification will be good but not that extreme). If you have a 300 or 400mm lens and a 36mm extension tube and a 1.4x teleconverter you can usually pull off a lot of macro shots without ever needing a macro lens...
I'm doing two parts. Part 1. This. Is a simple macro set up. A cheap crop with a dedicated macro lens. Flash mounted with diffuser.
Part 2 is using existing wildlife gear (70-200, 300mm) combined with a TC and it extension tubes. Two different videos. Show me some of your work. I'm looking for a guest speaker and hopefully you're not as condescending as you come off in your written replies.
@@WildlifeInspired The Life and Times of a creator. That's why I gave it up years ago. But Scott, Part 2 sounds interesting. There was a time that I used my 300mm f/4 and Nikon bellow in the field for Mushrooms. More the challenge than anything. If it weren't for my bike and small baby trailer, it would never have happened. I'm not a fan of Black-outs but there are times it can be reversed and the background would be overexposed for a high-key image. (strobe not required).
@@WildlifeInspired Thanks Scott! th-cam.com/video/zT_Dnjk6MGM/w-d-xo.html