Macro Video Question

[liquidguru 17]

 

Hey kaj I will be coming over during late March with some friends. I am staying next door but could hook up with you and Barb some evening for a drink tea?

 

 

We would be upset if you didn't come for a tea drink

[BDSC 1]

Kaj,

 

I see you have the 4000's for your lights. I know each shot can be different but in general, what power levels are you using when shooting macro. Those things turned up would be a heck of a lot of light.

[liquidguru 17]

Kaj,

 

I see you have the 4000's for your lights. I know each shot can be different but in general, what power levels are you using when shooting macro. Those things turned up would be a heck of a lot of light.

 

For macro work I have them on their lowest power setting 98% of the time (this also means the lights last a long time between charges ). I then also manually adjust the exposure down, until it looks good. This enables me to avoid blowing out the whites and gives you continuity when you are zoomed all the the way and then pull back for a wider shot. If you don't do this then you get very variable results. This took me over a year to work out and has made a big difference.

[peterbkk 110]

For macro, I run one Sola 4000 at 2 out of 7 and one at 3 out of 7. With the camera AE adjustment somewhere between -1/3 and -2, depending on the subject and background, to reduce the risk of highlight blowout.

 

I usually position the lights in a classic portrait approach, one back and wide (fill) and one closer and high (highlight).

 

Regards

Peter

[Nick Hope 151]

Love to know if there are metal ones available. Marine grade aluminium and I'll take 10 please. May be I could just make one Any takers?

 

I don't know about marine grade, but the Gorillapod Focus has "machined aluminium sockets" in its legs. And it costs twice as much as the all-plastic Gorillapod SLR-Zoom.

 

(Just to recap, I bought a load of Gorillapod SLR-Zoom a few years ago and modified it to use as light arms as well as tripod legs. They have all gone floppy and now more joints are superglued up than aren't. It sounds like others haven't had the same problem.)

[escape 84]

I don't know about marine grade, but the Gorillapod Focus has "machined aluminium sockets" in its legs. And it costs twice as much as the all-plastic Gorillapod SLR-Zoom.

 

(Just to recap, I bought a load of Gorillapod SLR-Zoom a few years ago and modified it to use as light arms as well as tripod legs. They have all gone floppy and now more joints are superglued up than aren't. It sounds like others haven't had the same problem.)

 

I use both (SLR-Zoom x 2, Focus x 3ea) and same problem with SLR-Zoom but Focus still doing fine.

btw, Focus is negative and SLR-Zoom is slightly positive.

Edited February 5, 2013 by escape

[BDSC 1]

I really appreciate everyone who has posted. A lot of good info that is helping me out.

 

Thanks Again!

[Nick Hope 151]

I use both (SLR-Zoom x 2, Focus x 3ea) and same problem with SLR-Zoom but Focus still doing fine.

btw, Focus is negative and SLR-Zoom is slightly positive.

Do you think it would be possible to buy 2 x Focus, dislocate the joints, and make a double-length legs? (I did this with my SLR-Zoom)

 

Would the Focus be rigid enough for that, or better go with something like Xit 404 or DIY legs using strobe arms?

[escape 84]

Do you think it would be possible to buy 2 x Focus, dislocate the joints, and make a double-length legs? (I did this with my SLR-Zoom)

 

Would the Focus be rigid enough for that, or better go with something like Xit 404 or DIY legs using strobe arms?

 

I didn't try that but might be possible but I think you need something like "Loc-Line Assembly tool".

Anyway for video rig, I recommend Xit 404 twist clamp leg, ultralight tripod leg or strobe arm (if you don't need extendable).

[BDSC 1]

I received my Gorillapod Focus today and it seems very well made. I'm sure it's going to work out nicely.