GET ME A MACRO LENS…NOW!!!

Just when I think I’m going with a longer zoom lens for my next purchase, I come upon a scene like this.  A scene where I believe I’ve capture that rare shot – but oh no, I DON’T HAVE A MACRO LENS!!!  And since I have no macro lens, I’m restricted to capturing that same spectacular shot with the best thing I have – which happened to be a 28-135 mm zoom.  And even though it has the word “MACRO” stamped right on the focal settings of the lens – it’s not a macro lens.  And because it’s not a macro lens, I’ve managed to turn a spectacular shot into an ordinary shot without the detail I really crave!

At any rate, I thought I’d go ahead and share them with you.  Maybe if you squint and use your imagination, you will see the magnificent detail that was there – but not captured.

On a recent day trip to the nearby mountains, I came upon a bed of foliage that looked very interesting to me.  The way it was colored and textured was very intriguing, even drawing me to it.  Upon closer examination, I noticed I was not the only one drawn here.  I colorful little ladybug had decided to spend the day meandering from plant to plant, as well.

However, when he noticed me he scurried to the center of the stem.  “Oh no you don’t!”  He said.  “You’re not going to take my picture!”  Upon uttering those words, he proceeded to bury his tiny head deep into the stem.  It was his way of hiding from me – obviously taken from the hide-and-seek playbook of the ostrich!

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After a few minutes he must have felt it was time to make a run for it.  He quickly retreated to another plant and began to run to the top of the stem.  No doubt he was hoping to outrun this annoying little black box with its unfamiliar clicking sounds.

(2)

Upon reaching the top of the plant, he prepares for his well-planned getaway!

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And, here’s the shot that I think would have been pretty amazing with a good macro lens!  I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a lady bug with its wings fully spread ready for flight, like this.  The detail of the wings is magnificent!  Oh wait, you can’t see that because I HAVE NO MACRO LENS!  Squint…imagine…detail, detail!

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In trying to enhance the detail, I’ve over-sharpened to no avail.  Oh well, all in due time.  I’m sure one day a macro lens will come my way.

FRIDAY FAVORITES UPDATE: Unfortunately, I failed to devise a way for you to vote for your favorite shot of the previous week to be posted in the Friday Favorites post.  So with that in mind, I have numbered each photo in this post and will continue to do so throughout the upcoming week.  This will enable you to simply respond with the number of your favorite.

Your comments are always a welcome part of this blog.  In fact, I consider them to be vital!  If you can offer some temporary help with my close-up shots, please post a comment with your ideas.  I’ve heard of extension tubes and magnification filters, but I’m unsure if they work with every lens and how well they capture the desired detail.  I currently have a Canon 50D with a 50mm prime lens and a 28-135mm zoom.  Are you the one with a solution?

Thanks for stopping by.

PS: Let me just add a post script here.  Several people have offered comments that have been extremely helpful.  So, let me encourage you to browse the comments in this post.  Bob has added some very helpful information.  And, Lynda (pixelated2) has added a couple of links to some helpful information from her blog.  There are others that have made important contributions, as well – so, check out the comments.

~ by photographyfree4all on August 27, 2010.