{"id":895,"date":"2021-07-31T19:31:02","date_gmt":"2021-08-01T02:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/?p=895"},"modified":"2021-09-03T10:08:53","modified_gmt":"2021-09-03T17:08:53","slug":"the-best-ultra-macro-photography-setup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/2021\/07\/31\/the-best-ultra-macro-photography-setup\/","title":{"rendered":"The best ultra-macro photography setup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>After a bit of experimentation, this is the ultra-macro setup that I like best. I should caveat this all by saying that I\u2019ve only been shooting macro for a few months. I\u2019m of course open to suggestions for improving this setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"812\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/AD957A07-1351-41C8-BEFB-03DAEBCB3442.jpeg?resize=580%2C812&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"898\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/AD957A07-1351-41C8-BEFB-03DAEBCB3442.jpeg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=898\" class=\"wp-image-898\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/AD957A07-1351-41C8-BEFB-03DAEBCB3442.jpeg?w=1463&amp;ssl=1 1463w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/AD957A07-1351-41C8-BEFB-03DAEBCB3442.jpeg?resize=357%2C500&amp;ssl=1 357w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/AD957A07-1351-41C8-BEFB-03DAEBCB3442.jpeg?resize=768%2C1075&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/AD957A07-1351-41C8-BEFB-03DAEBCB3442.jpeg?resize=1097%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1097w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/AD957A07-1351-41C8-BEFB-03DAEBCB3442.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1680&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"509\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/DD8DCE81-F9B4-446B-B191-82E478BA3D12.jpeg?resize=580%2C509&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"899\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/DD8DCE81-F9B4-446B-B191-82E478BA3D12.jpeg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=899\" class=\"wp-image-899\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/DD8DCE81-F9B4-446B-B191-82E478BA3D12.jpeg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/DD8DCE81-F9B4-446B-B191-82E478BA3D12.jpeg?resize=530%2C465&amp;ssl=1 530w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/DD8DCE81-F9B4-446B-B191-82E478BA3D12.jpeg?resize=768%2C674&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/DD8DCE81-F9B4-446B-B191-82E478BA3D12.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1348&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/DD8DCE81-F9B4-446B-B191-82E478BA3D12.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1053&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/DD8DCE81-F9B4-446B-B191-82E478BA3D12.jpeg?resize=1980%2C1737&amp;ssl=1 1980w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/DD8DCE81-F9B4-446B-B191-82E478BA3D12.jpeg?w=1740&amp;ssl=1 1740w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"387\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/28F69566-C9B5-4ACF-B446-A0D249AF27D4.jpeg?resize=580%2C387&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"900\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/28F69566-C9B5-4ACF-B446-A0D249AF27D4.jpeg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=900\" class=\"wp-image-900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/28F69566-C9B5-4ACF-B446-A0D249AF27D4.jpeg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/28F69566-C9B5-4ACF-B446-A0D249AF27D4.jpeg?resize=530%2C353&amp;ssl=1 530w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/28F69566-C9B5-4ACF-B446-A0D249AF27D4.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/28F69566-C9B5-4ACF-B446-A0D249AF27D4.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/28F69566-C9B5-4ACF-B446-A0D249AF27D4.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/28F69566-C9B5-4ACF-B446-A0D249AF27D4.jpeg?resize=1980%2C1320&amp;ssl=1 1980w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/28F69566-C9B5-4ACF-B446-A0D249AF27D4.jpeg?w=1740&amp;ssl=1 1740w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">A moth at 1x and the same moth at &gt;5x. Also, a typical housefly at &gt;5x.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Canon MP-E 65mm f\/2.8<\/strong><br \/>Whereas most macro lenses will do 1x magnification, meaning the subject is a 1:1 ratio to the sensor, this lens will do an incredible 5x. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not a particularly easy lens to use\u2014it\u2019s neither auto-focus or manual focus, you focus by moving the camera. Also, once you\u2019re out at 5x, you pretty much <em>have<\/em> to use flashes\u2014very little light makes it to the sensor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That even with those downsides though, if you want to get close and avoid extension tubes, this is pretty much <em>the<\/em> lens to use. I don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything particularly wrong with extension tubes by the way, just that you have to take them on and off and you don\u2019t get nearly as granular a zoom range as you do with the MP-E 65mm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lens Accessories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Raynox DCR-250 2.5x Super Macro Lens<\/strong><br \/>This is a clip-on magnifier that increases the magnification even further. I\u2019m still not 100% sure that it doesn\u2019t reduce the sharpness, but as far as I can tell, it doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest downside is that with 5x magnification plus the 2.5x of the Raynox, the depth of field you\u2019re left with even at f11 or higher is ridiculously small. To give you an idea, if you were focusing on a coin, say a penny, top down it\u2019d be tough to get it in focus because the depth of field at f8 is less than depth the relief on the penny\u2019s face. I also find that I have to turn my flashes all the way up to 1\/1 (the highest setting) to get enough light. Even then, I\u2019m usually shooting at ISO 1000 or higher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, if you want to get even closer, this will do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fotodiox E.F.-Sony(E) Fusion Small AF Adapter<\/strong><br \/>Since I\u2019m using a Canon lens on a Sony body, I need an adapter. This one works just fine. It enables the camera to control aperture\u2014lesser adapters have no electronic contacts. The MP-E 65mm has no focus, but for other lenses, the Fotodiox will also allow a Sony body to focus a Canon lens. The adapter also allows the camera to record the EXIF data from the lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Camera<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I use a Sony A9. This is not the best camera for macro photography, but it\u2019s not bad. The downside is that it\u2019s \u201conly\u201d 24mp. The upside is that it\u2019s an ISO champion. If I had an unlimited budget I\u2019d get a Sony A1 which is, from what I understand, the best of both worlds. With 50mp, you effectively get even more zoom since cropping at 1:1 will magnify the subject more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note that the A1 would be the best all-around + macro Sony camera for me. That\u2019s because I usually am a bird photographer. If you only planned on doing macro photography, you\u2019d probably want to go for the highest resolution camera you could find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Accessories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sirui K-40X Ball Head<\/strong><br \/>When you\u2019re shooting ultra macro you need your tripod setup to be extremely stable. You will also want a tripod head that holds a lot of weight. I spent way too much time with small tripod heads that drifted all over the place before I finally upgraded to the ~$120 K-40x. This ball head is rock solid and doesn\u2019t break the bank. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3 Legged Thing Brian CF<\/strong><br \/>This is not the best tripod for macro since it\u2019s not super heavy, but it\u2019s a pretty good compromise. It lets you flip the center post so you can shoot straight down. It\u2019s carbon fiber so it\u2019s relatively light and stable. It\u2019s also cool looking and well priced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bolt VM-1020S Speedlights \/ Flash<\/strong><br \/>This isn\u2019t the brightest flash ever made, but it\u2019s a really nice set. It supports TTL for Sony and comes with a lot of nice accessories. Notably, you can clip the flashes to a ring on the end of the lens and rotate them around the lens. In practice, this isn\u2019t always the best since the light from very close, unmodified flashes is pretty harsh, but in a pinch it\u2019s quick and effective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For setups where you have more time and space, you can easily use the flashes as you would any other speedlights and the kit includes table stands, gels, and a few other nice-to-haves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dual arm flash hot shoe bracket<\/strong><br \/>This is a bracket that screws on to the bottom of your camera and has two flexible arms with flash mounts on them. Search for it on Amazon, Ebay, or Ali Express. It seems to be a generic product manufactured in China that you can pick up for under $20. It\u2019s a nice way to get a more flexible flash setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Macro focusing rail slider<\/strong><br \/>Another generic product that you can pick up for ~25. I\u2019m not so sure that the one I have is the best, but it works okay. Since that\u2019s all I know about it, I\u2019ll leave it at that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"722\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/A76BCB89-8628-45A7-9289-8D40CB0C34E3.jpeg?resize=580%2C722&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-897\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/A76BCB89-8628-45A7-9289-8D40CB0C34E3.jpeg?w=1646&amp;ssl=1 1646w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/A76BCB89-8628-45A7-9289-8D40CB0C34E3.jpeg?resize=402%2C500&amp;ssl=1 402w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/A76BCB89-8628-45A7-9289-8D40CB0C34E3.jpeg?resize=768%2C956&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/A76BCB89-8628-45A7-9289-8D40CB0C34E3.jpeg?resize=1235%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1235w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/images\/A76BCB89-8628-45A7-9289-8D40CB0C34E3.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1493&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><figcaption>Using the MP-E 65mm to photograph a moth. Normally I\u2019d have a paper towel between the flashes and the lens to diffuse the light.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">General thoughts about ultra-macro<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultra-macro is fun on a technical level and reveals surprising details about everyday objects. Aside from technical challenges, the biggest difficulty I\u2019ve found is making <a href=\"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/2021\/07\/19\/on-what-makes-a-photograph-good\/\">beautiful photos<\/a>. Many of my photos turn out to be geometrically interesting or maybe even scientifically useful, but they don\u2019t necessarily elicit much emotion, at least not for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t say that to be discouraging, I\u2019m still trying to figure it out. I like the challenge and I know it\u2019s possible to make compelling ultra-macro photos because I\u2019ve seen others take truly beautiful pictures of everything from snowflakes to grains of sand. Personally though, I\u2019m still in the phase of working through the technical aspects. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a bit of experimentation, this is the ultra-macro setup that I like best. I should caveat this all by saying that I\u2019ve only been shooting macro for a few months. I\u2019m of course open to suggestions for improving this setup. Lens Canon MP-E 65mm f\/2.8Whereas most macro lenses will do 1x magnification, meaning the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[100],"class_list":["post-895","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-etc","tag-photography"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/ppj2P-er","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/895","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=895"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/895\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1059,"href":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/895\/revisions\/1059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcusvorwaller.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}