Macro Pics

[wheres_my_beard]

I got a nice package from Schwalbe today containing a surprising number of replacement ice studs. I was amazed at the quality of the machining that went into all 64 of them, so thought I'd take a macro pic.

After fiddling with some settings I got a nice pic to show for it:

Do you have any nice close up pics of bikes or related things? Or suggestions on how to get good crisp results??

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Crispness is usually improved for fixed objects using a remote/shutter wire and tripods, or adequate shutter speed and light if subject moves or hand-holding camera, and avoiding using the extremes of the lens f-stops. To manage depth of field, which is typically limited for macro shots, tilt-shift lens while expensive help - for relatively inexpensive fun I haven't tried them but have heard good things about Lensbaby.

 

[gaz]

To manage depth of field, which is typically limited for macro shots, tilt-shift lens while expensive help - for relatively inexpensive fun I haven't tried them but have heard good things about Lensbaby.

Or if you have a DSLR, buy a 100m macro lens and the focal length will give you depth of field. That way you also don't need to be too close to your object to get the shot (great for bugs etc..

 

[ColinJ]

I have a macro setting on my camera. I have been quite pleased with a couple of close-up pictures taken with it, including ...

The bag I carry the camera in, attached to the handlebar stem.

Big Spider!

 

[gaz]

I'm more into night time photography

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Or if you have a DSLR, buy a 100m macro lens and the focal length will give you depth of field. That way you also don't need to be too close to your object to get the shot (great for bugs etc..

I am not sure I agree with that. Depth of field is only dependent on focal length, aperture and subject distance and nothing else. For the same aperture the depth of field is the same whether one takes the pic 1000cm away with a 1000mm lens or 100cm away with a 100mm lens. Compared to otherwise, a lens is a "macro" only because it has been designed to be able to focus closer (and therefore making the object appears larger on the same piece of film). A shift lens however can provide the additional degree of management of the depth of field because it allows variation of the plane of the film in relation to the lens or the objects.

 

[Steve Malkin]

Here's a close up of something that's been bugging me for a while, what is that little dimple thing on the inside of my chainstay for? must be there for some purpose, but it seems completely useless to me!

 

[S_t_e_v_e]

I believe that "dimple" on your seat stay is for hanging the chain when you take the wheel out.

 

[S_t_e_v_e]

A tip for macros is to take a photo of a tape measure positioned beneath the camera lens - you can then see at what distance from the lens gives you the sharpest detail.

 

[Steve Malkin]

I believe that "dimple" on your seat stay is for hanging the chain when you take the wheel out.

Well I suppose that would make sense, but I don't think lack of somewhere to hang my chain has ever been something that bothered me (reaches for hacksaw...)

And yes, I do need to learn the difference between a chain stay and a seat stay!

 

[Alembicbassman]

Macro is fun, you don't need expensive kit to do it either. Compact (pocket) cameras give super results as they have lenses with such tiny focal lengths compared to SLR lenses. I can get far closer with my Lumix than my Nikon D90. The main issue with close-up work is lighting. Direct flash is too powerful so buying a softbox is worthwhile. Also you can cast unwanted shadows if you get too close. Use the self timer to take the shot wile the camera is mounted on a tripod to get the best results.

 

[MontyVeda]

I'm yet to have a proper play with extreme close ups. I have tried but felt my camera wasn't up to scratch... however... Steve's tip about the tape measure and AlembicBassMan's self timer tip might make my next attempts better than before, especially since I reclaimed my tripod last night.

 

[MontyVeda]

Here's a close up of something that's been bugging me for a while, what is that little dimple thing on the inside of my chainstay for? must be there for some purpose, but it seems completely useless to me!

it's for attaching a bit of card to so your bike sounds like a motorbike rarghghghghghghghghghghg

 

[Steve Malkin]

it's for attaching a bit of card to so your bike sounds like a motorbike rarghghghghghghghghghghg

A fine hypothesis MontyVeda, but after extensive testing I can find no way of using the dimple to attach said card. My best effort is shown in the attached video.

Can anyone do better??

 

[MontyVeda]

you need to use a clothes peg (my preferred method), or cable ties as in the video, the dimple/chain hook is mearly to stop the card rotating away from the spokes