Can you take Macro photos with a Super Telephoto Lens?

In this film I explain how I photograph insects at 750mm with my Super Telephoto Lens. Included are examples of my 'macro' photographs taken with this set-up.
Most static subjects (including insects & birds) were taken at 1/500th second shutter, at aperture 5.6, and variable iso. Moving subjects were taken at either 1/1500th or 1/2000th of a second and mostly shot at f5.6.
#WildlifePhotography #Nature #Nikon #Macro #Telephoto #Insects #Butterflies #Dragonflies
See higher resolution photos on Flickr at www.flickr.com...
About me:-
My name is Martin Sepion. I have a passion for nature and photography. I am based in Leytonstone, London.
Connect:-
Twitter: @Martin_Sepion
Flickr: www.flickr.com...
email: [e-mail]
Equipment:-
Photographic:
Benro Slim lightweight tripod
Benro Mach3 Tripod
Zoom H5 Field recorder
Nikon Zfc
Nikon D500
Nikon Z6
Nikkor 200-500mm 5.6 lens
Laowa 100mm f2.8 Macro lens
Software:
Photographs processed with Darktable
Film editing done in Shotcut
Focus stacking done with Picolay

[@dennishaldiman6087]

I am happy to see you finding what I also have found. I have the Nikon Z8 and couple it to my Z180-600 mm lens along with the 1.4x teleconverter. In doing so, I have been able to capture a crystal sharp photo of a bumble bee that fills my computer screen. I end up shooting at 840 mm and love the results at short distances.

[@JonnyPink65]

I love taking macro with my 500 F4 and teli. Works extremely well.

[@Walkinginthewoods]

I'd love to try one for birds and insects.

[@JonnyPink65]

@@Walkinginthewoods You end up with something like this.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmmXi4OmgtiSZ5Y Not a true macro, but cropping in with a beg sensor and a sharp lens works well. I was using a Sigma 150-600 for this, but I usually shoot my 500 F4. You are limited only by your minimum focus distance. 😁

[@catherinegrimes2308]

When I do wildlife photography I use the Fujifilm X-S20 with the 70-300mm lens and a 1.4X teleconverter. The system is versatile in that it can photograph a wide range of animals from flies to swans. It is also small and lightweight and can be carried around for hours.

[@rmyr4359]

I used the same Lens and took photos of dragonflies and the results were amazing

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Do you post your photos up anywhere? Would be nice to see them.

[@kelvin869]

I use the Sigma 150 - 600 dg dn the same way. I have a minimum focal distance of 57 cm with that lens. It's great.

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Wow that is even better than my Nikon 200-500. 57cm must give you a huge subject in the frame.

[@kelvin869]

@@Walkinginthewoods l don't have a macro lens yet, but this Sigma lens is really flexible. The close focusing at the 150mm end is extremely useful and l can get good sized images. I have been focus stacking with it too.

[@danielbowden2401]

I have the D500 and the 200-500mm lens. I have used extension tubes for flowers and insects. The results were nice.

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Daniel, that is interesting. I had not thought about extension tubes with my 200-500 lens. Do you post photos online anywhere where I could have a look at the results. I am looking forward to spring/summer when the insects come out again.

[@RaymondParkerPhoto]

I also haven't had a true macro/micro lens ... until recently (video coming soon) and, like you, I've occasionally used a telephoto to make close-ups. Often these have been dragonflies and larger insects. I agree, the longer focal length has its advantages, which is why I've chosen a 105mm lens for macro. Enjoying your walks in the woods.

[@naturalreach4316]

Outstanding work

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Thank you very much!

[@paulmcwilliams8641]

I use this kind of lens for video close ups and stick to a macro for stills. I would never use a full frame for any kind of macro work however. I tried my A7Rii with one of my Pentax macro lenses and a drinker moth. I could get the head and tail in focus, but the centre of the body was blurred, or the centre of the body sharp and the ends of the animal blurred and that was purely the difference in distance and low depth of field caused by the optics.

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Thanks for your thoughts on this topic Paul. I agree, depth of focus is the key challenge in macro.

[@XJarhead360]

Even with a macro lens you have to do focus staking to get the entire subject in focus.

[@lazyspeed5496]

Nice place spot 👍

[@blackmamba3427]

Awesome video and commentary 👌

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Thank you for the feedback. Have a great day.

[@johnclarke1319]

If macro magnifies, then where is the larger sensor to fit something as large as a dragon fly. I am with you on this. We maybe use the term macro badly,

[@danielmurtin2911]

It doesn't magnify the image. The lens projects the same image circle onto the focus plane, regardless of the sensor size. It is just that the smaller sensor just crops the image more than the full-frame sensor. The statement should be that "you will need to use a 750mm lens to fill the frame to the same degree as the cropped-sensor image." The magnification is the same on a cropped sensor as it is on a full-frame sensor.

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Thanks for this Daniel. So basically you cannot get around the laws of physics and the only real advantage of using a telephoto lens is that you are less likely to disturb the subject.

[@jlm3124]

I have been doing macro on the cheap for years, using close up +10, +4, +2 on their own and stacked on a variety of lenses. I also used the fuji fine pix camera $250 with its macro setting and got some really good photos. Sometimes I am nearly touching my subject, but depending on the lense I stack the close up lenses on I can get further away.

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Jlm it does not matter if it is cheap or expensive so long as it works. I have seen some fantastic macro shots taken with extension tubes.

[@tectorama]

When I go out photographing wildlife the only lens I take is my 200-500. It is indeed excellent at letting you take photos of birds and insects.

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Cheers Tectorama

[@peterviragphoto]

Nice video Martin! Loved the b-rolls & totally agree that some telephoto lenses have semi-decent magnification ratio & can still take some quite high detail shots of certain subject. Subbed:)

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Thank you for your feedback Peter. All the best

[@peterviragphoto]

@@Walkinginthewoods very welcome mate! Thanks for your support as well! Just checked another video from you😊

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Peter, I have just bought a Laowa 100mm macro lens. I am getting to know the lens and am really looking forward to getting into macro properly. Will be watching your films to help me on my journey. Cheers from London.

[@peterviragphoto]

@@Walkinginthewoods hey Martin! That’s awesome! I’m sure you’re gonna love it! Thanks for your support!

[@bamsemh1]

You can 😊 it's called reverse macro filter 😉 but not the safest way though

[@skakdosmer]

There is an interesting fact about depth of field in macro. And that is that although being at a greater distance from the subject will give you greater depth of field, a greater focal length will give you less depth of field, so for a given magnification ratio they tend to cancel each other out.

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Thank you for this Lau. Recently I have been experimenting with using a Macro lens on my Z6 (full frame) and then on my Zfc (crop sensor). As far as I understand it, the crop sensor should give a greater depth of field than the full frame? Assuming all other settings are the same.

[@skakdosmer]

@@Walkinginthewoods not necessarily - it's a rather complex issue...

[@ValkoBranislav]

👍👍👍

[@skakdosmer]

Have you tried adding extension tubes to get closer?

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Lau, I have not tried extension tubes yet. They seem a good option as they are not too expensive.

[@skakdosmer]

@@Walkinginthewoods bear in mind that the longer focal length you use, the longer extension tube(s) you’ll need. And of course extension tubes will loose some light. Not as much as a teleconverter, but there is a loss.

[@bamsemh1]

You should wear ankle socks 😅