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Getting close with SIGMA - part 3 of 1 2 3 4 5

by Mike McNamee Published

The test set-up of the Nikon D200, the EM-140 Flash and the 150mm Macro. Note the rotation collar and the focus limiter switch. The whole set-up balances well on the tripod.

In the Field

Our most successful series of images was of recently emerged Large Red damselflies. These are reasonably obliging photographic models and we achieved a good success rate. Working all the way down to 1:1 and hand-holding is a challenge in the field but even so we obtained good shots. The snappy focus of the D200/Sigma combination and the longer working distance of the 150mm lens meant we got more shots per "sitting" before the insect moved on. This was early season for the species and there were only three in evidence so we need to maximise our opportunities. For the record, your editor was working alongside fellow member Ron Thomas. A duo works particularly well for this type of work as the photographer "on standby" has a much higher chance of spotting the outgoing insect and where it moves to as it leaves the "set". All you need do then is agree the protocol as to who has pick at the new location.

To overcome the problems of subject failure with even the best camera TTL, you can exploit the availablity of the DSLR histogram and make a series of exposures until you get optimum exposure at each magnification. These can then be plotted, printed and carried in the field. With the EM-140 you lose your TTL when you change the relative strengths of each tube to create modelling. This graph is for Tube 1 on 1/4 power and Tube 2 on 1/16 power.

Sigma EM-140DG

This is a specialist macro flash unit. It is mounted on the front of a lens via an adaptor ring and contains two flash heads. A beefy cable joins the flash head to the control unit, which sits on the camera hot shoe in the place normally reserved for the flash unit. The controls for the flash are situated at the back of the control unit in the normal place.

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last update 09/12/2022 14:54:40

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Getting close with SIGMA - part 3 of 1 2 3 4 5