Thanks for watching! Also find me in these places: 💌 newsletter: mwroll.com 🌄 instagram: instagram.com/mwroll 🎖patreon: patreon.com/micaelwidell 🐦 twitter: twitter.com/micaelwidell 💬 discord: bit.ly/widelldiscord macro lens buying guide: lensguide.micaelwidell.com

Very pleasing to watch you do these kind of video's. No flashy editing just a guy who loves bugs and photo's

1:12 Thanks for reminding me! I always forget to flip my hat

The wasp-like insect was a Hornet Clearwing Moth. The small white moth was a Bird-Cherry Ermine Moth

I wondered about that Lehman Bros shirt for the entire episode. I'm glad you talked about it.

Thanks for the video. As I get older I have challanges with balance and having to take off/put on glasses I struggle a lot with photography however this video helped a lot. I used the built in flash which also helped getting the right light and sharpness.

I never thought i could achieve focus stacks with flash, i’m excited to try now!

This was one of your best videos so far. Lots of good info!

I love handheld focus stacking... I like how natural this video is. I know usually we like to stack a lot of photos but I find more than five to be problematic unless you just have a really still scene. Even three to four can be really effective just to give you that little bit of extra depth to get all the eye in and maybe a little bit of the hair around the neck for like beetles and stuff... especially if you zoom in and look at all the details all the time you'll notice little aberrations or artifacts from the focus stacking I like three to five. Sometimes if it's really windy or it's a really hard position to hold as you demonstrated in this video lol... just two pictures can be really effective for focus stacking sometimes I'll just look at my series of a burst and I'll focus stack two.

Another great photo walk, Michael! I just love watching your videos. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge of macro.

I'm really happy that laowa finally sponsored you, I ve buy 65mm laowa because of you ❤️

U are the best macrography guru micael. Thank you!

Great work and Laowa lenses really take the cake. Congrats!

Thank you Micael. Now we just need a nice Laowa diffuser.

This video was super useful. I think it would be cool if you made a video with flash vs no flash, because I think a lot of people don't want to spend more money on a flash if they dont need one.

It's always interesting to watch these photo walks. Your photos are great and you always have something interesting to say.

Great work and great advice, thank you.

Thank you Micael, In my opinion you have the best macro videos on KZfaq...R Miller

I've only done a little bit of macrophotography, and I hope to do a lot more. It's not easy, but the results can be incredible. It's also nice because it's the one form of wildlife photography where you don't need a big, heavy, expensive telephoto lens. This video gave me a lot of tips that will certainly help. Like and subbed. Thanks!

Great photo-walk with some very good tips.

Thank you for the great advice. I'm hoping to purchase my first Laowa lens soon and embark on the adventure that appears to be macro photography. Keep up the good work. Also I like your T shirt !

love the Hornet Moth - great vid

LOL!! Yes I learned a few things and love your video especially because you smile and laugh a lot... That makes things much nicer to watch!!!! I'm subscribing!!!! Many thanks!!!

Just started coming back into macro photography after some time and am really enjoying your channel. Thank you!

I do enjoy how well Micael explains every thng👍

Thank you. I will have to watch more of your vids.

This answered my questions. So helpful!

Another great video, Micael. I recently bought the Laowa 65mm for my Fuji X-T4 as a result of seeing your videos and so far I am very happy with it. I already discovered that I need to get out and practice holding the camera in a stable way - I feel like I need an extra hand at the moment!! Having a diffuser that is capable of gripping the small diameter lens properly would help enormously and would be one less moving part to worry about.

Thanks for your video and for the useful tips. Plus a BIG thank you for not including awful KZfaq Muzak which is now so ubiquitous that I fear for my mental health!!! I agree that the Laowa x2 is brilliant. I also sometimes use it with the Nisi focus rail when I know there is a good chance my subject will not move. From looking at your images I think you would agree that a great secret of good light is the correct balance of diffused flash and natural light. Best wishes.

Great shots

Nice tips thanks

Love ur videos

Wow, very good pictures, the ants pictures are amazing , well others too, thanks for tips

Very good. Thank you 😊

Hi Micael, thanks Form your grate tutorias. I really enjoy your Videos. Just ordered a Laowa Lens ....

Great video Micael, I've been binge watching your stuff. I have some extension tubes in the mail and will be buying a Laowa lens once I have some more experience. Cheers!

Love the shirt!

Great video! You're easy to watch. My son lives in Malmo by the way.

Well thats not fair, i have been wating for 1 month for mine to come in the mail lol. Great video i might have to watch again if the lens ever gets here.

Great video, brilliant t shirt.

Thank you for this video. Also, for tip #1, if i had a dollar for every time i screwed this up. Also, i kove that defuser. Brilliant!

Your photos are amazing even if I am not fond of bugs!😱

Thanks!

Great video nicely explained. just a question. should a macro photo should be sharp corner to corner? thanks

Thanks

Very useful video thanks. I manage to get good stack shots but actually stacking them in Photoshop does not really work too well for me at the moment.

I have used just about the same technic as yours for several decades (though I do never use flash), I think it is close to the technic using a riffle when you are shooting at a small distance target at long distance, I take a deep breath just before focusing, hold my breath, nail the focus and press the shutter softly.

wow. amazing pics ❤ do you think it is possible to get similar results with the Laowa 65mm?

I'm still learning, but I tend to use my max aperture at f2.8 with a Raynox 250 magnifier, which makes my working distance very short. Because of this, I have to shoot a series of 20 photos at least before my entire thing is in focus. Sometimes I make a series with 100 photos.

Looks like they used 2x magnification on that t-shirt! :) Thanks for the tips!

Definitely the best channel to master macro; thanks to you I still learn some tricks after years being a fuji guy! One thing I stil miss when doing macro with my X-T3 : Manual focusing and focus peaking of course BUT I don’t know how to keep the magnified view when I half press the shutter, it always goes back to full view and then I’m losing the benefits of the close focus peaking. Any ideas?

I like your flash diffuser, how can you fixed on the lens?

The cap beats me every time ... :D

Great video thanks! Good tips on coupling self to camera to subject. I note that sometimes you use a slower shutter speed than the max for flash sync? Is that because you are wanting more ambient light in a given situation?

Hi, as usual nice shots. About new species in your area: due to the rising temperatures (global warming), more and more bugs migrate up north. I see it in Poland every year. It’s quite in common now to meet prying mantis, Balkan wasp spider and other beautiful creatures. Take care!

Thanks for the tutorial. In Australia I find it very difficult to get still insects in Summer and even in Winter they are quite lively. I will have to try your suggestion of trying to find a still insect first rather than bothering with already active ones. Could you mention the temperature in some of your videos because I am curious at what point you are finding them more docile? e.g. most Winter days here are over 20C and I am not sure how that compares to your conditions.

Awesome video ... I always learn something in each video. does the Laowa 90 auto focus on the Canon R Bodies?

I made a box type that goes my speed light

Great video. I ordered the "Popeshield defuser set" because of your recommendation. 7 weeks., money is withdrawn, no defuser yet.

I find stability by using a monopod

What lens would be great for a nikon that is 2 times magnification? Do you change the focus point using manual focus? I love how clean the lighting is with the flash and diffuser. The only issue I have with macro photography is that I have arthritis 😅

Ahh i love that the 90mm is so compact compared to the 100mm. I find it hard to keep the 100mm still with 1 hand , its just so heavy! -- also you havent added the flash accessory you use in your description. is it handmade?

How do you do macro with film though? I'd love to know

When focus stacking you use manual or auto focus? How do you get different focus points without changing the angle of the subject? At 10:25 what speed did you use? Thanks for the great videos.

Hi Micael, I am new to macro photography and so interested in all your videos, I loved when you explained something that made me understand so easily. I have Sony A6400 on my hand, what lenses do you think are the best for me since I am a newbie, do I need an extension tube as you explained in another video? I really appreciate any help you can provide.

Hi Micael, how do you get black background on photo of ant when you shoot on the background of green bushes? Is it because you have choosen to shoot faster shutter speed for outdoors lighting conditions?

Orange lady bug: Wikipedia entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonia_axyridis

I use a monopod! Let's try

Great video, Micael! If that's a murder hornet, you should report it to authorities!

Hey nice video, thank you for sharing your experience with me. I have just one doubt: in almost all photos you informed the F value as beeing f8 - f11, which aperture did you use?

Nikon has focus stack function, does somebody know - when sony is planning add it in they cameras?

Popeshield are great. How do you get around the fact that the Popeshield does get in the way at close magnification with Laowa and Raynox though?

Thanks. I am learning macro outdoors. I have mirrorless (R5) and a Laowa 90mm. I don't understand well how to incorporate flash. If the scene is darkish so you have to use high iso or slow shutter to get a good metered exposure - should you instead use lower iso and then use flash to add the needed light, making flash adjustments by trial and error with test shots?

I wanna know more about flash setting and things. People tell me to start at 1/16th and go from there but I'm using 1/2 with 200 of a sec shutter and iso 200 and sometimes that's not enough. I'm using canon 90D and godox tt350. Also is there a way I can take continuous photos with the flash because it takes a while before it will flash again?

Why didn't you use the focus stacking feature/setting on your camera?

Hi Micael, do you turn the focus ring to change plane of focus or do you move camera in and out? If ring which hand?

Great video! I’m curious to know how you manage your data? It’s quickly becoming a large investment trying to store all my pictures and that’s without focus stacking series! I don’t have time to go through pictures daily and cleanup .. what do you suggest?

Glad I found you! Are you moving the focus point around the insect and using autofocus?for focus stacking? OR are you able to turn the ring on the lens?? Don’t get it!!

How you moving sharpfocus area? Do you use Focus brecketing or you moving your camera closer to insect? Thanks for video

Hi Micael, I'm still learning. Which stacker software do you use.. Thnx from Colorado USA.. 😎🇺🇸

How are you adjusting focus while stacking? Especially having to hold the diffuser, it looked liked all your hands and fingers were busy, and I could see how you managed to adjust focus.

Question for Micael or any other macro photographers: Is a mini soft box better or worse for macro than a diffuser? Is a soft box just a diffuser in a particular shape, or does it have a different effect?

Hello, my hands are shaking. What can do with that. Maybe there is some physical training? Can you advise? I'm using Nikon d850 with Nikkor 105mm micro lense and godox m12

I am wondering if it is better to use an autofocus macro lens instead. When I shoot in the field my left hand is always adjusting the focus ring. I don't have an extra hand to give my subject directional light by holding the flash with my left hand.

what does f8-f11 mean on your photo labels? Are you stacking images with different f stops, or do you mean you're using an f stop between f8 and f11?

That's the secret to keeping the insects close, kicking the hat backwards. Lets them know they have to bust a pose too.

Hey, what is the name of cap you're wearing? I'm looking for one, looks comfortable.

That diffuser did a very good job from the photo evidence. All it needs is a shorter elastic to hold it in place. This is an even greater problem with the 60mm. Is it a proprietary or hand made diffuser? You have very steady hands and eye for the hand held stacks. I have not had any success so far...

I don't understand how you are doing the focus stacking! Are you moving the lens closer or are you turning the focus ring for each shot???👍👍👍

Hello Can I use this lens on Sony A7RV? Is there a compatible model?

Now I am going to buy This lens.. is the link afiliate link in the description ?

Have you ever tried using a monopod?

I didn't catch a mention of flash recycle time that limits the speed you can shoot stacks.

Does anyone have the laowa 90mm yet? I pre-ordered but I haven't heard anything since

You have some very docile and cooperative bugs there Micael.Around here they are most often a bit more flighty,or bitey,if you get too close.

You said you twist the lens when taking a stack,but didn't show it. How do you twist the lens please?

Even with a tripod I can't focus stack the things I want because they move, even the tinest amount will ruin it.

A bit late, can you compare cheap lens? and maybe much review old/cheap macro lens. I dont know but i need it, yeah as cheap as we can i good. Lol Great tips

Looks like a Hornet - We occasionally get swarms, literally thousands - you need to fall to the ground, face down, don't panic and let them move on.

Don't play with hornets. You say they are not common in Sweden which means his sting could be fatal to you. Here in Croatia, where hornets are common, every year a couple of people die from stings. You never know how your body reacts to it.