Chris Coffee Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 I would like to start taking better photos of our fins and would like some info on what equipment some of you use. I am looking to purchase either a used Nikon D90 or a new Nikon D7100. I am somewhat familiar with photography but have not taken many macro (close-up) photos. Can someone give me some pointers or suggestions on what lenses and lighting setups to use for close-ups of meteorites? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfarris Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Chris,It's isn't probably what you were expecting, but I bought a small digital Canon Power Shot SD1200 IS 10 mega pixels,for about $150, and have been very happy with it. Fits in a shirt pocket, has great capacity and takes great photos, including macro, has adjustable apertures, etc. see below for just one simple example. Karl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Coffee Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 Hi Karl, I have a Nikon Coolpix camera that has a macro setting, but for some reason I can't take good clear closer-ups with it. Wish I knew why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfarris Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Chris...I had the same problem until I realized I need use daylight, not indoor lights or direct sun, and prop the camera so it's totally solid. If you just hold it tightly, etc, you'll almost surely move the camera just the smallest amount so the result is not in clear focus. And of course, the distance from the subject is critical. Get the right lighting and anchor the camera solidly and you'll get it.Good luck, Karl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Coffee Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 Thank you, Karl. I will definitely give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extractor Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 (edited) Pick your self up a small pocket size tri pod for the camera , you will b amazed by the difference in the photo clarity in the macro setting. I also agree with Karl's advice. Edited January 18, 2014 by extractor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saginaw72 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 (edited) Hi Chris.● Try using a small tabletop tripod and your camera's shutter timer. This will prevent any jitter during shutter firing.● Check and double check your focus. ● Use 'bounce' lighting to remove shadows.● To prevent harsh light use a white sheet or muslin cloth to difuse and soften whatever light source you're using.All of this will require rigging up a photography 'stage' for your finds. Once you're satisfied with your results, you're set. There are reasonably priced lights available on Amazon, but follow Karl's advice and try sunlight first to see how that works for you. This stage is small, and nothing major, so fiddle with it until you're satisfied. Use your macro mode and the best resolution that works for the object.Good luck. Saginaw Edited January 18, 2014 by saginaw72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Coffee Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 Thanks everyone. I am going to order a tripod and some lights and see how it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saginaw72 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Hi Chris.The tripod is small, say 4-5 inches collapsed. You may be able to get one from Walmart. Before spending money on lights, try the sunlight option. The muslin can be bought at Walmarts fabric department.Saginaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Coffee Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 Thank you, Saginaw. I'm really looking to do this indoors. I will try the sunlight option, but what type of lights should I get to take the shots indoors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saginaw72 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 (edited) A daylight lamp would be ideal. These are available in fluorescent and LED.Try this website as a start for info: http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/photography.aspxSaginaw Edited January 18, 2014 by saginaw72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikestang Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I use a 10+ year old Sony 5 megapixel camera and a daylight color temp. bulb in a small desk lamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikestang Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) Photos taken outside get some great lighting, too. Makes even crappy cameras take nice picts. (0.5g Holbrook find, 2011) Edited January 20, 2014 by Mikestang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Coffee Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 Thanks, Mike. I am going to try some outside pictures, too, but I had already planned on buying a new DSLR so I will do what i can with my point-and-shoot for the time being. I was even thinking of buying one of those Photo Tent Kits that has the white box, background fabric, tripod, and two lights. Where do you buy your daylight bulbs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikestang Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Home Depot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertsunburn Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Hi Chris, I use a Coolpix Nikon as well and it works pretty good. While I am probably to blame for the lousy pictures, the stuff you see posted in my FB page are from that camera. It's an L22. I am on my second one because the first one just did not like my meteorite magnet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Coffee Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 Jim, my Coolpix is the S4300. It does fantastic on everything except close-up pictures. The latest ones I did outside turned out really well because of the sunlight, but I really want to be able to take the same quality pictures indoors where I am away from the elements. Mine just will not focus at a close distance unless the object is flooded with light, but for some reason it doesn't work well with artificial light...even with the daylight bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertsunburn Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I took a cardboard box and shoved a clamp on light fixture in it...minus the clamp. Using a standard CFL bulb. I took aluminum foil and crumpled it up and then opened it back up and lined the inside of the box with it. Makes a poor man's light box and the crumbled aluminum foil breaks up the light pretty good. I had everything, so it did not cost me an extra dime to make. Then, you can take another small piece of foil and place it so that it is curved behind the thing you are shooting, making the back corner round.Easy peasy.Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Coffee Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Hey Jim, that sounds like a really cool set up that I would like to try to replicate. How exactly is the light set in the box? Would you happen to have a picture of your setup that I can view? Thanks so much for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertsunburn Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Here ya go, Chris. Hope this helps! http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa325/desertsunburn/lightbox_zpsd59e681f.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Coffee Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Here ya go, Chris. Hope this helps!http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa325/desertsunburn/lightbox_zpsd59e681f.jpgJim,That is perfect. Thanks so much for the picture. Seeing how the light bulb was mounted is what I really wanted to see. Will work on putting it together tomorrow. Headed out meteorite hunting today. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saginaw72 Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hi Chris. Jim's setup sounds and looks interesting. I've never seen or heard of anything like it. Looks like great idea. Would love to see your photos if you go with it.Saginaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertsunburn Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Here is an example album using the poor man's light box. It really helps with the shows and such and the pictures were taken with a Nikon Coolpix L22 which is in the $80 range of cameras....nothing fancy. http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/desertsunburn/library/JW193 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saginaw72 Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 (edited) Nice results Jim. Great little rig. I like this idea. I'm going to try it with some troublesome objects I've been trying to get right.Saginaw Edited January 27, 2014 by saginaw72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Coffee Posted January 27, 2014 Author Share Posted January 27, 2014 Jim,I finished my light box today. Thank you SO much for the info. Here are two pictures I took with the box. I am using a 60W equivalent Daylight CFL bulb. Thinking 60W may be too much. The first picture is the raw picture from the camera. The second is with the Windows Live Photo Gallery doing its Auto Adjust feature. I can tell a HUGE difference already in how close I can get to the object now using the box. Any suggestions on settings? White Balance, ISO, etc.? Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.