12 replies to this topic

[BugFinder]

I'm really not digging that light ring because of the glare it puts on the formicaria glass.  

 

Does anyone have a suggestion to remove the glare, or a different lamp to use to add light to the subject of your macro photography?  My camera/lens rig is taking some pretty good photos of my ants, but I'm really struggling with lighting.

[drtrmiller]

You must get right up on the glass with a light ring or the reflection will be in the photo.

[BugFinder]

yeah I've tried that, and I can't focus when I'm that close to the glass.  If I pull back, the glare is covering my subject.  If I angle my photo, the glare is not on my subject, but I can't get good shots of deeper into the nest, only what is right up front.

[ToeNhi]

Try a polarizing filter.

[nurbs]

A polarizing filter may work but I think a better solution is to reduce your MFD (minimum focusing distance).

 

Bugfinder - if you are using a camera with an interchangeable lens, you can get extension tubes which will reduce your MFD. 

 

If you are using a point and shoot, you are SOL because I don't think they make polarizing filters for point and shoots. And you can't use extension tubes because you need to be able to remove the lens.

[dspdrew]

Why not one of these?

 

http://www.amazon.co...38090884&sr=1-1

[JakobS]

Within the same idea of Drew's, you can get light ring diffusers, or make your own with semi transparent paper or cloth cut to size and placed over the ring. I would practice on non inhabited glass though, so as to reduce the amount of stress placed on the colony. 

 

Also if you can manage the amount of light coming from the ring( it looks like you can turn half the ring off?) It may work better if light is only coming from the bottom or top of the ring. 

 

I think a diffuser is a better bet though, a few layers of tissue paper or thin cloth will soften the light significantly. 

Edited by JakobS, July 28 2015 - 6:33 AM.

[BugFinder]

A polarizing filter may work but I think a better solution is to reduce your MFD (minimum focusing distance).

 

Bugfinder - if you are using a camera with an interchangeable lens, you can get extension tubes which will reduce your MFD. 

 

If you are using a point and shoot, you are SOL because I don't think they make polarizing filters for point and shoots. And you can't use extension tubes because you need to be able to remove the lens.

 

I bought extension tubes that I thought would work with my camera, but they don't, ugh!

[BugFinder]

Within the same idea of Drew's, you can get light ring diffusers, or make your own with semi transparent paper or cloth cut to size and placed over the ring. I would practice on non inhabited glass though, so as to reduce the amount of stress placed on the colony. 

 

Also if you can manage the amount of light coming from the ring( it looks like you can turn half the ring off?) It may work better if light is only coming from the bottom or top of the ring. 

 

I think a diffuser is a better bet though, a few layers of tissue paper or thin cloth will soften the light significantly. 

 

Thanks Jakob, I"ll try that and let you know how it works.

[BrittonLS]

Yeah, Drew's post should probably work. Also, does it work when you pull it off the lens? You could try pointing the light from the side and a picture from the front so the light isn't coming straight back at you. Might reduce the effectiveness of why you'd use a ring light.

[nurbs]

 

A polarizing filter may work but I think a better solution is to reduce your MFD (minimum focusing distance).

 

Bugfinder - if you are using a camera with an interchangeable lens, you can get extension tubes which will reduce your MFD. 

 

If you are using a point and shoot, you are SOL because I don't think they make polarizing filters for point and shoots. And you can't use extension tubes because you need to be able to remove the lens.

 

I bought extension tubes that I thought would work with my camera, but they don't, ugh!

 

 

 

What camera do you have?

[BugFinder]

 

 

 

 

What camera do you have?

 

 

D5000

Edited by BugFinder, July 30 2015 - 6:03 PM.

[nurbs]

 

 

 

 

 

What camera do you have?

 

 

D5000

 

 

How did the ext tubes not work? If they do not have electronic contacts (most inexpensive ones don't), then you won't have autofocus. But that's not a big deal. All they do is physically reduce the MFD, so if they physically can connect and attach the lens to the body then they should work.