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Author Topic: Reverse-Macro Spider Stacks (1:1, 2:1, and 3.4x Lifesize)  (Read 2040 times)

JKoerner007

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Reverse-Macro Spider Stacks (1:1, 2:1, and 3.4x Lifesize)
« on: July 03, 2017, 12:53:16 am »

Took a bunch of spider stacks today, thought I would share a few.

All shots taken with Nikon D810, but with 3 different lenses, per-spider, to adjust to the vast difference in sizes between species.
  • Image 1: 52-image stack taken with a Nikkor AI-S 50mm f/1.2, reversed, @ 1.1x
  • Image 2: 41-image stack taken with a Nikkor AI-S 28mm f/2.8, reversed, @ 2.1x
  • Image 3: 43-image stack taken with a Nikkor AI-S 20mm f/2.8, reversed, @ 3.4x
  • Image 4: 29-image stack taken with a Nikkor AI-S 20mm f/2.8, reversed, @ 3.4x
To give a reference as to size, the first spider is not quite as big as the first two joints on your pinky finger ... the second spider is not quite as big as the first joint on your pinky finger ... and the last spider could stretch-out on your pinky finger nail :D

Enjoy,

Jack

PS: Click the image, then click again, for full-size 8)

Dale Villeponteaux

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Re: Reverse-Macro Spider Stacks (1:1, 2:1, and 3.4x Lifesize)
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2017, 07:01:28 am »

Seems you have become the Glenn Bartley of spiders.

Regards,
Dale
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Bob_B

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Re: Reverse-Macro Spider Stacks (1:1, 2:1, and 3.4x Lifesize)
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2017, 08:06:07 am »

Very nice Jack. Are you using a focusing rail or turning the focusing ring? Either way beautiful photos.
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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Re: Reverse-Macro Spider Stacks (1:1, 2:1, and 3.4x Lifesize)
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2017, 08:33:40 am »

Seems you have become the Glenn Bartley of spiders.

Regards,
Dale
+1.
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JKoerner007

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Re: Reverse-Macro Spider Stacks (1:1, 2:1, and 3.4x Lifesize)
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2017, 09:11:21 am »

Seems you have become the Glenn Bartley of spiders.

Regards,
Dale

+1.

Thank you both for the compliment :D

JKoerner007

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Re: Reverse-Macro Spider Stacks (1:1, 2:1, and 3.4x Lifesize)
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2017, 09:13:56 am »

Very nice Jack. Are you using a focusing rail or turning the focusing ring? Either way beautiful photos.

Thanks, Bob.

I set the AI-S lenses I use (reverse-mounted) to their closest-focusing distance. Then I position (using Live View) to the outermost point I wish to begin, after which I then incrementally move forward to achieve depth via a focus rail.

JKoerner007

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Re: Reverse-Macro Spider Stacks (1:1, 2:1, and 3.4x Lifesize)
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2017, 05:10:27 pm »

For the record, stacks like this cannot generally be taken in nature. Sometimes I get lucky, but with these I collected the specimens and set them up at home.

Therefore, technically, these are not "nature photos"; they're studio photos.
(I did my best to make everything "authentic," as I took a piece of the foliage on which I captured the specimen, and set everything up in my home studio.)

For those who are interested .... here is my setup:



I start out with a Thorlabs Aluminum Breadboard, to which I anchor various accouterments. However, because spiders jump (;D), I cut and paste a Ghostline Foamboard overtop of the breadboard ... so that, should a subject jump, I can find him and re-capture him:






The subjects are illuminated by 5 Jansjö LED lights. (I place diffusers over them, not shown, to attempt to replicate "natural light." I almost never use flash.)

The clips in front hold the flower/plant in place, and then I place the spider on the prop.
The clips in back hold the "natural background" (another flower/plant, a piece of bark, whatever is appropriate for the species and its environment).

I place my camera (or, sometimes, bellows) on the macro rail and adjust DOF here.

I am actually composing a lengthy article on this subject and will post when complete.

Hope this interests some :)
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