My handheld macro rig

[Thunder_o_b]

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[RichardTaylor]

Looks like a good setup. Thanks for showing us.

[ishafizan]

thank u for sharing!

by any chance u have a pic showing u in action? interested in your pose, body balance, etc ... that setup must weight quite a bit

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

Looks like a good setup. Thanks for showing us.

Thank you Richard

Originally Posted by ishafizan

thank u for sharing!

by any chance u have a pic showing u in action? interested in your pose, body balance, etc ... that setup must weight quite a bit

It serves me well, it is quite versatile.

No shots other than the one of me in the mirror, I'll see if I can get Sunhawk to get a few for you..

I rely heavily on my training with the bow; rifles, handguns, and the martial arts. The use of body bracing and form to limit the number of muscles in use to limit tremor; triggering between heartbeats, breath control and closing my mind around the shot until the only things in existence are me, the camera, and the subject, all play an important role in my macro shooting.

There is a fair amount of weight to it, but I put it out of my mind and move on.

I hope this doesn't sound overly Zen, but that is how I do it.

[Danylu]

Very nice, I was planning to make myself a near identical setup. Did the bracket come with the gorillapod-esque bendable part? Or where they separate? Would you be able to give me some links so I can buy some as well

Thanks!

Also on a slightly different note, how do you find the working distance of the 150mm? And the general characteristics of the Sigma 150mm itself?

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by Danylu

Very nice, I was planning to make myself a near identical setup. Did the bracket come with the gorillapod-esque bendable part? Or where they separate? Would you be able to give me some links so I can buy some as well

Thanks!

Also on a slightly different note, how do you find the working distance of the 150mm? And the general characteristics of the Sigma 150mm itself?

I tried posting links in the first post, but they did not work, which is strange as they works on the other sites that I frequent.

The arm and bracket are all one unit.

Parts list:
MP-E65 Canon Macro Photo MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Manual Focus 2540A002 B&H
Flash arm Delta 1 Flip Flash I Bracket - 7" Flash Arm
conector cable Zeikos Off-Camera Flash Cord for Canon Speedlites & SLR Cameras
cable release Canon Remote Switch RS-80N3 2476A001 B&H Photo Video
Apollo micro light modifier Westcott Micro Apollo Softbox - 5x8" (13x20cm) 2200 B&H

On the Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro, you can see my results in the macro sys room. I have posted a large amount of shots there. I have had this lens for a year and would buy it again in a heartbeat, it is sharp and not too heavy for me to handhold for extended trips in the field.

The MFD if I remember is 18" (MFD is measured from the sensor) so it helps in not spooking the subjects. It is half the price of the Canon 180mm, is faster, and every report I have read says it is as sharp, if not sharper than the Canon, tho it is not as tank like and weather sealed.

Unless you are going to be shooting in extremely dusty or wet conditions, I can highly recommend it.

[Danylu]

Originally Posted by Thunder_o_b

I tried posting links in the first post, but they did not work, which is strange as they works on the other sites that I frequent.

The arm and bracket are all one unit.

Parts list:
MP-E65 Canon Macro Photo MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Manual Focus 2540A002 B&H
Flash arm Delta 1 Flip Flash I Bracket - 7" Flash Arm
conector cable Zeikos Off-Camera Flash Cord for Canon Speedlites & SLR Cameras
cable release Canon Remote Switch RS-80N3 2476A001 B&H Photo Video
Apollo micro light modifier Westcott Micro Apollo Softbox - 5x8" (13x20cm) 2200 B&H

On the Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro, you can see my results in the macro sys room. I have posted a large amount of shots there. I have had this lens for a year and would buy it again in a heartbeat, it is sharp and not too heavy for me to handhold for extended trips in the field.

The MFD if I remember is 18" (MFD is measured from the sensor) so it helps in not spooking the subjects. It is half the price of the Canon 180mm, is faster, and every report I have read says it is as sharp, if not sharper than the Canon, tho it is not as tank like and weather sealed.

Unless you are going to be shooting in extremely dusty or wet conditions, I can highly recommend it.

Thanks! I shoot Nikon though so no MP-E65 for me unfortunately

I'm thinking of buyiing a 150mm 2.8 + 2xTC or perhaps a 3x TC. Currently I'm borrowing some parts off a few friends and I am trying out the Canon 100 2.8 wth 3x TC.

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by Danylu

Thanks! I shoot Nikon though so no MP-E65 for me unfortunately

I'm thinking of buyiing a 150mm 2.8 + 2xTC or perhaps a 3x TC. Currently I'm borrowing some parts off a few friends and I am trying out the Canon 100 2.8 wth 3x TC.

Look in to using extension tubes they do not affect IQ as there are no glass elements in them., tele extenders degrade the image. Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG for Nikon Lens AEXTUBEDGN B&H You will not get the same amount of light fall off, but it will still be there.

If you plan to do high mag indoors then you can use a bellows setup, but that is quite a bit of money.

There are Nikon fans that have picked up a used Canon body to use with the MP-E65. You never need to clean the sensor as the lens would never leave the body. I had to clean mine four times last year and it needs it again. At 5:1 dust that does not show up on a walk around shot, looks like cotton balls at 5:1.

[joe27]

Thanks for showing your setup. I might try something similar. Is there a way to mount that rig on a tripod as well?

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by joe27

Thanks for showing your setup. I might try something similar. Is there a way to mount that rig on a tripod as well?

If I was to use a tripod (which I don't do) I would mount the bracket to the tripod mount at the bottom of the camera, and then mount the whole thing to the tripod via the tripod mount on the lens.

EDIT: I had to add that even though I do not use a tripod 99% of the time, there are times that I do, like photographing my fish, and some table top work using a mini tripod, and then there is the macro work station with the macro rail and ball head