One Gold Ring

[wulf]

One of the bits of photography gear I got for Christmas was a second-hand Vivitar Series 1 90mm f/2.5 macro lens. It comes in two pieces. The main lens can get shots up to about 1:2; with the adaptor added on it can reach 1:1 (with all the attendant problems of tiny depth of field and picking up minimal subject or camera movement).

I haven't got round to doing that much macro work with it yet but here is one I took last week, focusing on my wedding ring:



The photo has had a little work on colour and a touch of selective sharpening (I often sharpen the whole picture, reduce the opacity of the sharpened layer to blend it in and then use a mask so that areas outside the natural DoF aren't affected).

All in all, this is a very good lens and a worthwhile addition to my line up, especially since the macro adaptor (essentially just an extension tube) can be used on any of my lenses. The only caveats are:

(a) like most cheap old gear it requires running fully manual on the D40

(b) gosh, it's heavy! The lens must weigh as much as the camera and that's without figuring the adaptor in!

Wulf

[peeperita]

thanks for posting wulf....

as an aside you showed a technique for sharpening i have not tried befiore.....

appreciated...

peeper

[wulf]

Maybe next time I use that trick I should do a step by step guide?

Wulf

[jiminyClickit]

wulf,

Simplicity, as in a circle of gold, is a symbol of dedication. You have reached a level of skill many will admire and learn from. You kick-started my layering adventures long ago. Very choice bit of craftmanship, here. Well shot.

[FocalFrenzy]

I look forward to seeing that "Step-by-step" tutorial. That's a really nice shot. You should take one of your wife's ring also. They could be used as coverpages for your married life scrapbook.

[wulf]

Originally Posted by FocalFrenzy

I look forward to seeing that "Step-by-step" tutorial. That's a really nice shot. You should take one of your wife's ring also. They could be used as coverpages for your married life scrapbook.

We're hoping that book won't be finished and ready for covering and shelving for many years yet

Wulf

[kimspics]

nice pic_ I am going real soon and purchase a macro lens _ I cannot wait!!!

[peeperita]

Originally Posted by wulf

Maybe next time I use that trick I should do a step by step guide?

Wulf

shoot wulf, if you have the time, post it now....

thanks

peeper

[wulf]

I'm not sure I really had the time but I wrote it up anyway - see my tutorial on selective sharpening.

Wulf