C100: Need Lens Advice: Macro/Faux Snorkel

nedcam

nedcam

Well-known member
Looks like I landed a good size client that makes industrial markers, think Magic Markers that can write on anything, and I mean anything, so if a steel girder is covered in oil, this marker the size of a cigar will do it. I'd like to get in close, yet not your typical over the shoulder of someone writing. To seal the deal I offered to do a test.

In a previous life I did a couple of science show shoots on insects, where I did not have to concern myself with costs, with a snorkel lens and as I research them now they are about $1200-$1500 a day, obviously a deal breaker for a corporate client. I just spoke with a rep at LensRentals.com and she suggested the Zeiss 100mm f2 which has a minimum distance of 1/.4' There will be 15 videos so I need to mix it up, would like to do some shots level with the tip of the marker, etc. Some of the writing may be one foot across, so I will need to slide, pan or dolly, I probably won't be able to track focus unless I do a lot of takes, and since these are permanent markers I'd be shooting the rehearsals, so I plan on maximizing my DoF.

Does anyone have any other option? Are there alternatives to the snorkel that will allow me the type of extending that offers?

Thanks,

Ned

P.S. Are there any other forums I should post this where DPs hang out? Will probably do Sony on this forum afterwards.
 
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Did you mean the Zeiss 100mm f/2 instead of "10mm"? From what I recall the Canon 100mm f/2.8 can focus about twice as close as the Zeiss, though the Zeiss has better optics. You could use the Canon 100mm f/2.8, put it on a motorized slider if you want movement (or use a good tripod), and use auto-focus (obviously center frame only if you're using the C100) to keep the object in focus.

Then once the motorized slider is setup and moving, and you've pressed record, with auto-focus on, you just grab a beer, sit back, put your feet up, and watch your equipment do your work for you. It's not the artist, it's the tools.

If you have LED lights like me that you can control brightness and color temp via a phone ap, then all the more reason to never get up from your chair. Brings a whole new meaning to "arm chair DP."

On that note, my Rhino Arc Motorized Pan Head is supposed to finally be arriving today, when they originally had said around March for it to ship.
 
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Yes, meant 100mm. I will look into the Canon but don't think they have it. Can't center the shot for AF because I need to keep one third to half the frame clear for text.

Thanks,

Ned
 
Don't have it? Lensrentals has it. https://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses/macro/canon-100mm-f2.8l-is-macro

I don't think I've actually used the L-series version of that lens; I've used the non-L-series version. From what I recall, the focus racking was way oversensitive for video work, particularly when doing macro, which would make racking manually quite difficult. I'm not sure if the L-series version is better in this regard; I'd think it is at least smoother, but I'm not sure the focus throw would be longer. I've used the Zeiss and it's much smoother with a longer throw so is better for manually racking.

You could rent a C300 Mark II to use auto-focus with, but that may be above the budget, plus auto-focus doesn't always work, like when you're filming a black object (are the markers black?) with low contrast.
 
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I use the Canon 100mm f2.8 L IS USM macro lens along with tons of spacers/extenders to show the macro subjects big in the screen. The depth of field at such close focusing distances is very less. Just turn the focus ring a very tiny amount and you lose focus. Take your lights, so that you can use a decent ISO along with a very narrow aperture. Be very careful about aligning your camera to the focal plane.
 
Ned, while I have a couple of macro lenses in my kit, my suggestion would be to look at maybe adding a set of diopters to your kit. I find them particularly useful for close focus shots.

Dave
 
I have a Zeiss Contax Macro 2.8 and it's 1:1 macro. Can't remember the exact minimum focus but I can shoot a test if you'd want to see it? You can rent mine if it works.
 
remsyatassi said:
I have a Zeiss Contax Macro 2.8 and it's 1:1 macro. Can't remember the exact minimum focus but I can shoot a test if you'd want to see it? You can rent mine if it works.
Click to expand...

Thanks Remsy. If they like my estimate and choose me, then I will take you up on the offer.

Best,

Ned
 
I used a 50mm Nikkor AIS mounted backwards with a cheap adapter, something like this . Rotating the focus ring does nothing - you have to move the subject or camera. It's pretty straightforward if you use a sliding tripod plate e.g. manfrotto, miller. You can get a stills photography focusing rail but I've never found the need. The slide shouldn't be too tough - just get the pen to draw a straight line. Maybe shoot at a higher frame rate too. I'm guessing you only need small moments - if you see that it comes into focus and it's held long enough you should be fine. It sounds like a pretty stylized sequence i.e. if it were me, I wouldn't worry that the pen is not at a realistic angle if it's easier to get the shot while it's completely vertical etc.

For the pencil shot, I used a magic arm to clamp the pencil then the other clamp mounted to the handle of my camera. Then I moved everything handheld. Focus can be tough - it's razor thin! I shot at f11 so you'll obviously need to pump in as much light as possible - but I'm sure you know these things. I don't know the physics behind it but the wider the lens, the closer you can get. My Nikkor 28mm AIS is often too close.

These don't really explain the science behind it but you can see pictures for reference:
- http://petapixel.com/2015/05/01/shooting-insect-macros-on-the-cheap-with-a-reversed-lens/
- http://digital-photography-school.com/reverse-mounting-your-prime-lenses-for-affordable-macro-photography/
 
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