spidy

[windrider86]

This litle guy climbed into my ice tray before i got it put away and thought ahh, its the size of a pin head so it cant eat me. really it was so tiny that when i tried to show it to my hubby, he couldnt see it.
I just got this great new lens that i am learning. There was no chance of using a tripod as it was in an ice cube tray and had to set it in the window sill for light. Other than my fstop was set at the wrong setting, what do you think? What suggestions do you have for keeping a steady hand with a heavy lens with no support or how do you get a crisp clear photo with something that tiny and moving?
Camera: Olympus Olympus E-500
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 150 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 3/10 EV

[daft_biker]

I find the easiest way to freeze macro action in low light is with a macro flash. With a shot like that you'd be able to light the whole scene with flash so you could set max flash sync speed, low iso and a small aperture...just tweak the flash exposure compensation to get the right exposure. If you can keep the focus on the beastie the flash should freeze the action

Macro flashes can be pretty expensive but the good ones let you light your subject clearly and from any angle. Cheaper options include things like flash brackets to hold regular flashguns pointing down at something focused closely but there are also things like big hoods that reflect light down from an on-camera mounted flash which I think are pretty cheap.

As for holding the camera steady...yeah, that can be a bit of a problem! Being able to lean on stuff can help and if you can't do that a monopod may help take the weight off (or tripod for stationary subjects).

[windrider86]

Guess I might have to just break down and get one of those huh. I think it may have to wait a little while since i just spent a small fortune on that new lens. lol

[daft_biker]

Aye, might be an idea not to tell hubby you want to spend more money already

Good light, still air and patience are free so you can still play with the new lens in the meantime

Have you tried experimenting with the flash you have? Do you have a seperate flashgun or just the popup one on the camera? Have seen some pretty funky results from home-made diffusers that direct the light onto the subject.....check out Shane's funky contraption: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shane58/2489328677/

[windrider86]

I do have a slave flash and have tried holding it in different locations, I've also tried the bracket thing but it is rather cumbersome.
Thanks for the link, thats some pretty funky contraptions there.
I was pretty bummed yesterday, we were coming home and there was a HUGE rattler sitting in the road, so we raced home so I could gett he camera (1/2 mile) but by the time we got back it was gone. That would have made an awsome shot

[daft_biker]

Aye, I think the regular flashguns are a bit cumbersome too....but handy with longer lenses or if you need a lot of power I guess.

Bummer about the snake getting away Hopefully next time you'll get it! Am hoping I'll be able to find an adder here this summer but I think I'll be a little nervous about photographing it as I'm not used to snakes and these ones are poisonous. Should be more fun than photographing constrictors in a glass cage anyway

[windrider86]

my daughter thought i was nuts trying to get a shot of a rattler as they are mighty poisenous but it wasnt like I was gonna be sitting on the thing.
Isnt an adder a viper? dont get bit my friend, I need you

[daft_biker]

I think an adder is a viper but it's about the only wild snake I'm likely to find in Scotland...and I don't think they're THAT poisonous! No rattlesnakes or anything like that here but then again aren't they worse?.....

....don't go getting yourself bitten now

Big kids huh?