Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/09/16

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Subject: [Leica] technical question
From: don.dory at gmail.com (Don Dory)
Date: Sun Sep 16 18:57:00 2007
References: <C7DA229A-C880-4B9D-857B-B9385BC37E68@pandora.be>

Philippe,
If you have access to a bellows system then that and a 105 to 200mm
enlarging lens will get it for you if you can get more than 200mm of
extension.  The 200mm macro lens will work assuming is will go to 1:1.  Then
add another 200mm of extension to get to 2:1 magnification ratio.  Lighting
by TTL flash will make your life much easier as it will prevent a lot of
vibration induced loss of sharpness.  Try to use a ring light and if you
need to have something other than a 1:1 light ratio then use some ND film
like a lot of Rosco gels(theatrical supply houses) on one side of the ring.
If you have access to one then a focusing stage to fine tune focus once you
have the magnification ration set will help immensely.  Try to avoid an
aperture smaller than F8 as diffraction effects at the magnification you
will be using will kill the ability to enlarge to the size you desire.

Summary:
Really steady tripod and an immense head so that there is no camera
movement.  Ideally a camera stand from a studio originally using 4X5 cameras
Focusing stage to fine tune focus.
At least a 100mm macro lens, preferably 200mm so there is room to light.
Enough extension to get over 2:1 magnification ratio.
TTL lights or a good ringlight.  Might need some polarizing film if your
subject is glossy to kill reflections.
90 degree finder so you can see your subject with comfort
Learn how to lock your mirror up and wait a couple of seconds.
Cable release or other remote; at the least the selftimer.

As an alternative to all the massive supports use the shutter at max synch
speed so that no ambient light exposes your sensor or film.  You will still
need a tripod, focusing stage, and angle finder to get the subject in
perfect focus as your DOF will be nil.

If you are using non-Leica equipment both Canon and Nikon make very good
multiple flash TTL systems that make the exposure very easy; all you need is
the proper understanding of how you want to light the object.  Just use
normal flash exposure compensation to keep your subject the proper density
as the TTL system will make your subject 18% gray.
On 9/16/07, Philippe Orlent <philippe.orlent@pandora.be> wrote:
>
> Does anybody have experience with extreme close-up work?
>
> I looking for a practical solution to shoot (non detachable) 0,2 by
> 0,2 inch surfaces in such a way that they can be blown up to 40 by 40
> inch prints.
> Meaning shot out of hand or on a simple tripot setting.
> I guess that would include some kind of a flash system.
>
> What kind of lens? Would a 200mm macro lens be sufficient?
> What kind of flash system (ring or similar?)
>
> I have no experience with macro, nor with this kind of flashes, so
> I'm a bit ignorant about this.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Philippe
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>



-- 
Don
don.dory@gmail.com

Replies: Reply from henningw at archiphoto.com (Henning Wulff) ([Leica] technical question)
In reply to: Message from philippe.orlent at pandora.be (Philippe Orlent) ([Leica] technical question)