After accidentally stumbling on Opo Tersers breakdown of his setup for his absolutely jaw dropping extreme close up macro photos of spiders eyes I decided to expand my set up as well because I didn't know the specific pieces I would need for a Nikon Camera so after a night of research I figured I could help with the model numbers and specific parts for other Nikon users. (Im using a d70 but this will work for any Nikon that can take the older manual lenses.)
Collection of useful macro links
- Opo Tersers Bellows / Reversed Lens set up
- LordV's Dewdrop Refraction Setup [resulting shot here]
- LordV's Focus Stacking Tutorial essential for dealing with very small Depth of Fields.
- Soap Bubble Macrophotography techniques
- Martin Waughs amazing Liquid scupltures – [About the process here]
- Tools of High Speed Flash Photography (DIY)
- Incredibly detailed and helpful site with in-depth information on Nikkors
- Insects in flight by way of extreme macro set ups [2]
Parts List
Nikon Bellows – You can get a PB6 but those tend to be more expensive and I went for a "Bellows F Attachment II" which I found on ebay for 25 bucks
Nikon TC200 2x Teleextender – Doubles your focal length of most lens up to 200mm – Connects to the bellows. Paid ~40 for this on ebay – You can probably use an offbrand without too much consequence. Im just a Nikon glass fanboy.
Nikon BR2A Reversing Ring – Used to connect the reversed lens to the teleextender – cheap around 5 bucks on ebay
Nikon Nikkor 28mm f/2.0 prime wide angle lens – The fastest glass I could afford – Haven't picked this up yet but expecting to pay 150-200. The 24mm is also equally as nice looking.
Nikon SC-17 off – camera flash cord - This allows you to attach the flash to an external mount ~10 on ebay with some waiting
Ball Head Swivel Mount – The Flash after being plugged into the Camera Flash cord can be attached to the Ball Head Swivel mount which connects to the Bracket Frame. ~$15
As for the flash – I have a nearly identical flash to the one quoted on Opo Tersers page
I found an off-brand Bracket Frame which the flash connects to on Ebay. I didnt feel like paying a lot for this either so I want for what looked to be the most functional one I could find.
I will be updating as I get more information – Please contact me if any information is incorrect.
Hopefully this helps someone out there.
kris
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Bless your soul, Kris!
Thank you so very much for this act of graceful sharing. The simplicity of your comprehensive summation bespeaks the sincerity that must have gone into composing this page. I am a grateful beneficiary.
Am setting up a small business having bought myself an "F-Mount" Kodak SLR-Nx from ebay only today. This might be a discarded Pro equipment in your world, but saving even for this camera is no joke in an economy as badly engineered for steady inflation as the one we have in Pakistan in the midst of a war that has been going on for the last 40 years!
Am hoping to make a good living with my knowledge of photography and ability to write. Macro-photography is one area where I can excel with some degree of certainty and thereby attract business.
Your page has made life much easier for me. I am sure many others must also have benefitted who did not have the capacity to express their gratitude in words.
Hence, this expression of my heart-felt thanks at your generosity!
Best regards.
Khalid Hussain
Islamabad-Pakistan
Hi– I have a few questions– I found a bellows that will work with a D 80– I have a sigma Macro lens with nikon mount– do you know what kind of teleconverter I can get that will be adaptable to the sigma lens and the bellows– do I need to get a sigma teleconverter or can I get away with a Nikon teleconverter??