Up close and personal

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Up close and personal

by Usksider ^Pro @ Sunday, 20. Jul, 2008 – 17:46:22

In photography when you've left your specialist kit at home and macro isn't an option you have only one choice...

Pop a 50mm lens on your DSLR and get in as close as you can - mine focuses down to approx. 8 inches (20cm) and that means I can still grab images like this one.

Now I'm not saying this image is in any way spectacular, but it's quite acceptable as a close shot. Of course it doesn't really compare to using a macro lens, which allows you to get in very much closer...

...but even so, geting up close and personal to your subject can be a lot of fun.
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Tags:
- life
- animals
- photography
- macro
- bee
- close up
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26 Comments on Up close and personal

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- chassy
- Sunday, 20. Jul, 2008 @ 18:02:22
How far from the bee is the lens in the macro shots?

I hadn't appreciated the hairs with the naked eye, I will look more closely next time I see one. Many insects are amazing when you really look at them, but we generally see the 'whole thing' as an insect or pest and look no further. Lovely to see what I've been ignoring Usky, a reminder to get out and look more! (I think the cloud gives me tunnel vision or something, forgetting to appreciate the beauty of nature , thanks for the reminder )

Hope things are ok Usky

XX.
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Sunday, 20. Jul, 2008 @ 18:55:14
  Well I'd have to guess since I don't have my full records to hand, but I'd say probably somewhere in the region of 14" with my 105mm macro lens.
  
  Insects are quite fascinating things... but of course can be extremely irritating.
  
  Yes, I'm good thanks. And you two?
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- ajnspencer ^Pro
- http://www.devon-photography.co.uk
- Sunday, 20. Jul, 2008 @ 19:10:05
I can't be doing without my macro lens, love it!
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Sunday, 20. Jul, 2008 @ 19:16:33
  It's interesting to work without it though and see what you can get with a 50mm.
  - - ajnspencer ^Pro
    - http://www.devon-photography.co.uk
    - Sunday, 20. Jul, 2008 @ 20:01:54
    I sometimes use my 70-200mm L zoom, it's shockingly sharp and cropping in gives quite a good close up
    - - Usksider ^Pro
      - http://www.usksider.co.uk
      - Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 05:25:52
      Yes I've done that too. The beauty of of using some quality glass.
      - ajnspencer ^Pro
        
        http://www.devon-photography.co.uk
        
        Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 06:59:44
        
        It's quite sad really how excited I got at it's level of sharpness
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
        http://www.usksider.co.uk
        
        Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 07:06:37
        
        I guess we all suffer the odd attack from the nerdy side occasionally...
        
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        ajnspencer ^Pro
        
        http://www.devon-photography.co.uk
        
        Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 07:13:58
        
        With me it's a stupidly regular occurrence
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
        http://www.usksider.co.uk
        
        Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 07:21:28
        
        Me too, but I won't tell if you don't....
        
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- happy28 ^Pro
- Sunday, 20. Jul, 2008 @ 19:21:54
wow, i want a lens like you have!

x
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Sunday, 20. Jul, 2008 @ 19:27:20
  You can a lot of fun with a macro lens....
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- GilraenH ^Pro
- http://www.gilraen.blog.co.uk
- Sunday, 20. Jul, 2008 @ 20:59:55
I'm so jealous, I wish I had the kit you have. Have you ever used Medium Format before?
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 05:47:47
  I used to have access to a Bronica ETR, so yes I've had some experience with 6x6 format. That was film as opposed to digital of course, but the results were pretty amazing.
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- mycorneroftheworld
- Sunday, 20. Jul, 2008 @ 22:36:09
What did you do with it? Why is it laying upside down?

I have always wanted a macro lens!
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 05:52:51
  The poor thing had been attacked by bee-mites...
  
  You'll have to ask Father Christmas nicely.
  - - mycorneroftheworld
    - Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 08:30:01
    I have tried, but Santa never listens to me! These days, I am mostly using my digital camera anyway.
    - - Usksider ^Pro
      - http://www.usksider.co.uk
      - Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 08:35:33
      With digital SLRs getting cheaper and cheaper, mug Santa and tell him to get you both.
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- MissyMouse
- Sunday, 20. Jul, 2008 @ 23:57:10
Bzzzzzzzz.....

buzzzz.......

buzzzzz......

L(
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 05:53:10
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- Neonjake
- Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 04:14:09
Hey I can't even figure out how to turn on a damn camera let alone take a decent photo. But I do love looking at them.
jake
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 05:53:51
  I hope you keep enjoying mine.
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- antlady69 ^Pro
- http://antmusic-forever.blog.co.uk
- Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 05:49:52
If only macro lenses weren't so damn expensive ...

I have those rings you can put between the camera and the normal lense, but unfortunately they don't work on all lenses / cameras.

*sigh*

Damn money!
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Monday, 21. Jul, 2008 @ 05:56:16
  I must admit I've never used extension tubes with digital... used to use them a lot with film though. I've been toying with the idea of buying a set of bellows...
  - - antlady69 ^Pro
    - http://antmusic-forever.blog.co.uk
    - Tuesday, 22. Jul, 2008 @ 04:41:19
    Bellows - is that the equipment that has "folds" like a concertina? How exquisite
    
    Usky, have you ever considered becoming a pro? Photographer, I mean
    
    You certainly (seem to) have the equipment of a pro ... man, I'm talking myself into a corner here, ain't I?
    
    *concentrates* COUGH!
    
    Your photo equipment (*phew*) seems to be that of a professional photographer, and your photos are EXCELLENT! You might be able to make some money with it, you know, sell your photos to calendar makers, magazines, etc. This way you can still pursue your hobby and have fun, AND earn some dough.
    
    Unless you don't need the money ...
    - - Usksider ^Pro
      - http://www.usksider.co.uk
      - Tuesday, 22. Jul, 2008 @ 05:25:16
      That's the ones.... the 'concertina' on a knurled slide that move the lens farther from or nearer to the camera.... great for set-up macro work.
      
      Yes I can see the hole you were digging from here...
      
      I have sold the odd image, but don't really consider myself good enough to go 'pro'. That said I may well give it a go if things turn out the way I hope they will.
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Up close and personal

26 Comments on Up close and personal

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