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we can even take subjects as small as 8mm and fill the entire frame.
My favorite combination of wet diopters is SubSee + 10 stacked with Inon UCL- 165 used with a 100mm macro lens.
HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH SUPER MACRO While shooting super macro, you should be extremely accurate and precise. It’ s very important to get a sharp focus on eyes, or rhinophores, or the mouth( depending on your subject), especially when the subject may be a mere 1cm itself. Super macro photography calls for specific skills and knowledge.
Using Manual exposure mode will give you complete control. The aperture is more impor tant than the shutter speed. Start by setting this to F / 13. For greater depth of field, use a smaller aper ture such as F / 16 or F / 22.
Before I go underwater, I prepare and set the basic camera settings to: ISO 100, F / 13, 1 / 160s. Depending on the underwater conditions and subjects, I
44 The MAG Vung Tau
adjust the settings underwater. But my favorite aperture figures for super macro are in the range from F / 6 to F / 16. With these apertures, the images produce the best details.
Stacking diopters on a DSLR means focusing on distances so close that it may be hard to illuminate a subject without strobes. You must be very careful in placing the strobes to light up the scene. I always use manual mood for lightening. I put the strobes on with the diffuser on ¼ power and place them close to the port.
Shallow depth of fields make autofocus perform very slowly. It is more effective to use manual focus instead, rocking the camera slightly back and forth and pressing the shutter when you see that the subject is in focus. This may take several attempts and some time, but the results can be fantastic.
Make sure to find a stable and relaxed position that doesn’ t damage the surroundings when attempting the shot. It can take some time to achieve the shot
desired, so you need to get comfortable.
Use a focus light whenever possible to help achieve focus.
Always ensure the well-being of the subject during the photo taking process, as it can be easy to touch them with the front of the diopter.
Spend enough time on the subject! Don’ t hurry and it will pay off!
Yawning fish make a nice behavioral shot and many other interesting things can happen in front of your lens, if you can be patient. Show detail! In fact, the secret for success in super macro photography in my view, is showing the finest details!
Don’ t leave your subject if you have enough time, air and the subject is,“ in a good mood” to be photographed! Get the shot you planned.
And last but not least, with its emphasis on detail, pattern and texture, super macro photography can give unique results.