Dend. laevigatum

[nancy]

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

Hi Nancy,
I used to use a bellows for the really small miniatures and dof was a always a difficulty. Wish I had had this software then.

Hi Ron -
I got a bellows earlier this year - I was really staggered by what good, close *in focus* shots I could get without a tripod. I have screw-on close-up filters, but just a mm or so movement, and you lose that focus. Frustrating.
This stacking software should be another really good tool, I think. Once you get the camera, many of the 'toys' are relatively cheap, but, ooh, free? Solid!
Do you still use either the bellows or filters? With this, I mean? I have to read through the step-by-step that you gave, and I bookmarked...
Thanks - Nancy

[ronaldhanko]

Hi Nancy,
I've been shooting with just a macro lens (90mm Tamron). I am really pleased with it and the stacking photos I've posted all show pictures taken with that lense. The smallest flowers I've done with it, however, are still about a cm (Western Heart-leaf Twayblade (Listera cordata var. cordata) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!), but I want to do something about the really small flowers. That means either getting another macro lens (can't afford it) or a bellows (haven't looked into that for a digital camera) or just doing the best I can with what I've got (probably the way of it for a while.

[nancy]

Hi Ron - with the Tiffen lens, you might have a Canon (or not), but I got my bellows from Hirsch Optics HirschOptics.com
it was less than $40, and is just excellent for tiny flowers. I've attached a photo of a flower cluster that is about 3mm across, shot freehand, no flash or tripod. You can see the tiny yellow lips. I'm thinking that taking a few and stacking them - whoa!
How many shots do you average when you shoot to stack?
I am eager to try this!
Cheers - Nancy

[ronaldhanko]

Originally Posted by nancy

Hi Ron - with the Tiffen lens, you might have a Canon (or not), but I got my bellows from Hirsch Optics HirschOptics.com
it was less than $40, and is just excellent for tiny flowers. I've attached a photo of a flower cluster that is about 3mm across, shot freehand, no flash or tripod. You can see the tiny yellow lips. I'm thinking that taking a few and stacking them - whoa!
How many shots do you average when you shoot to stack?
I am eager to try this!
Cheers - Nancy

Hi Nancy,
I may have to invest in that bellows. Your shot has pretty well convinced me, but I can see that it would benefit from stacking. I've generally been staxcking two or three shots, but you might need a few more with something this close.
Cheers.

[SOS]

Very bummed Oxyglossums and Callista arent compatible.