Become a Patron!

The Official Coil Photography Thread

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
Trying the reverse-lens technique (without a reverse lens adapter) today with my old Nikon D50, it shows promise and I can see myself spending all day messing with shutter speed, ISO, and lighting to get a good picture this way
coil reverse lens.jpg
 

CrazyChef v2.0

Gold Contributor
ECF Refugee
VU Challenge Team
Member For 5 Years
Reddit Exile
VU Patreon
Trying the reverse-lens technique (without a reverse lens adapter) today with my old Nikon D50, it shows promise and I can see myself spending all day messing with shutter speed, ISO, and lighting to get a good picture this way
View attachment 114451
Look into getting extension tubes. They're MUCH cheaper than a decent macro lens, and can give great close up images.
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
Yeah, that looks promising - even allowing for the lack of adapter.

The adapters are fairly cheap, I might invest in one...hard to decide because this camera shoots lower resolution pictures than even my phone

I may be satisfied with the macro/wide angle kit I get in the mail today :bliss:

Look into getting extension tubes. They're MUCH cheaper than a decent macro lens, and can give great close up images.

You're right, this is super cheap. I'll think about this one

Screenshot_20180627-110240.png
 
Last edited:

raymo2u

VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
Look into getting extension tubes. They're MUCH cheaper than a decent macro lens, and can give great close up images.
Just gran a Raynox MSM-202 and a DCR-250....then get a lens later if needed. The MSM-202 is 4x, so its pretty damn close to begin with...thats how Ive been doing my super macros lately with my 60mm. You could get both Raynox's for about $100-120 on Ebay. Add in some Extension tubes and you can get some good shots for little money in comparison and then have some real abilities when you do get a good lens.


I have yet to try the MSM-202 with the 60mm with Extension Tubes together...I would like to see how much closer I could get with maybe 35-50mm of extension tubes but traffic and children shake the house when ever Im using the camera so that day will be "some day" in the future...


34674097_175596353294789_4450806391879237632_n.jpg
33346323_310835579452995_6354864796919136256_n.jpg
32925954_134866600715252_1776392374772039680_n.jpg
31894451_364895807352964_9216721537694957568_n.jpg
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
I'm thinking, reversal ring, manual aperture/filter adapter to put on the "backside" of the lens (which will be in front) and extension tube :question:
 

KingPin!

In my defence, I was left unsupervised ^^
VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
VU Challenge Team
Reviewer
Got my new macro lens through today for the phone haven’t used one before, I haven’t set it up properly yet but already can see pretty good detail

unedited shot

68400A63-837F-4DC8-8B1C-F88747918049.jpeg

That’s the zip on the bag it came in ....if I wove a coil looking like that I’d be well stoked haha

Took another one this time edited of my wedding band ...erm that’s mashed haha

FD9566EA-9764-4E52-8896-8EA21D1A9A3B.jpeg

Finally the ant collecting the aphid on a flower (unedited-little bugger was moving)

218C179B-0F62-4764-88C4-083C7A5D4FCF.jpeg
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
Got my new macro lens through today for the phone haven’t used one before, I haven’t set it up properly yet but already can see pretty good detail

unedited shot

View attachment 116274

That’s the zip on the bag it came in ....if I wove a coil looking like that I’d be well stoked haha

Took another one this time edited of my wedding band ...erm that’s mashed haha

View attachment 116276

Finally the ant collecting the aphid on a flower (unedited-little bugger was moving)

View attachment 116275


What lens? What kind of phone? Those are super close shots
 

KingPin!

In my defence, I was left unsupervised ^^
VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
VU Challenge Team
Reviewer

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
I'm about to try photo stacking for the first time, fingers crossed! I made a light box today, bought a phone app that has good manual focus controls, and purchased an entirely legal copy of Photoshop CS6
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
I use one for Android called "Open Camera". Not sure if it was free or if I paid for it. I've had it a while. It works great for focusing on any area you want.

It's free, I have been using it for a while - that may be what I use if I cant get this paid one called FV5 to be satisfactory

Edit - FV5 is great, puts a strain on my phone while saving an image, but the images are good and true to color

For 12mp images, saved as PNG files, Open Camera's files are about 6mb - with FV5, they're closer to 12 mb :eek: also has a slider for manual focus that I like
 
Last edited:

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
here's my first stack attempt - I didnt actually blend the layers like you're supposed to, it looks like a Glamor Shot lol


first stack.jpg
 
Last edited:

CrazyChef v2.0

Gold Contributor
ECF Refugee
VU Challenge Team
Member For 5 Years
Reddit Exile
VU Patreon
Have you considered a mini tripod? Alternately, you could lay your phone on a stack of boxes to keep it steady. Use different sized boxes until you're at the desired focal length from the object(s).

Like this:

6ZtBGT4.jpg




Here's a stack I did using the method above, and the Open Camera software. I focused solely on the coils and deck. I can't recall exactly, but it was probably about 10 shots stacked together.

WSFU6yl.jpg
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
Have you considered a mini tripod? Alternately, you could lay your phone on a stack of boxes to keep it steady. Use different sized boxes until you're at the desired focal length from the object(s).

Like this:

6ZtBGT4.jpg




Here's a stack I did using the method above, and the Open Camera software. I focused solely on the coils and deck. I can't recall exactly, but it was probably about 10 shots stacked together.

WSFU6yl.jpg


Thanks for that tip! I used a boom stand with a clip this time, and sat the phone on the table - stayed steady I think. I also shot in PNG this time instead of JPEG - the pictures are still rendering on my phone actually, slowly.

I can't actually use the clip for my macro lens, my phone's camera is too far away from the edges. But I have a rubber band and rubber cardholder on the back, together they hold the lens on. My phone tends to tip over if I lean it against\over things due to the weight of the lens (Zomei is all metal construction)
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
here's my first stack attempt - fuzzy because the phone didn't stay put, and I think I need to take more than 12 photos next time


someone gave me the idea of putting my phone in a bowl next time to keep it completely still

View attachment 117137


I actually did not do what I was supposed to in Photoshop at all with this one - maybe the one I'm working now will be better since I'm actually following directions
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
Adobe Photoshop Express and Lightroom are both free for Android, and have a lot of features!

Clicked "auto" in Lightroom, before and after:

PSX_20180805_210315.jpg
LRM_EXPORT_20180805_205617.jpg

These two apps will kick ass when I set up another light and get my phone mount - I will eke out the best possible photos my phone can manage!

Still have to stack on a PC of course
 

KingPin!

In my defence, I was left unsupervised ^^
VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
VU Challenge Team
Reviewer

WPMac

Silver Contributor
Member For 1 Year
Unlisted Vendor
Put some of this in another thread. But, I found this thread and though I could put it here for those looking specifically for photo tips. For those of use not willing or able to invest as much time and money into the picture end of the art ... Here's my photo studio lol
Can't exactly take a picture of my phone with my hone lol ... But, I have an LG X-Charge (cheap phone). The Tape is my tripod. A bowl or wide mouth mug works well too. And If I just can't get an angle I like I go freehand and take a million of the same photo till I get one that is in focus. The lens is an $8 one from Aldi's. I just move the light, and phone, around till I like what I see. I use "Open Camera" (free) app for manual focus and exposure bracketing. And I use picsart (free) for slight editing (res and saturation) and to add my watermark.

And I feel like have reasonable acceptable pictures pretty often. They wont win me any awards, but for me the photos are just a vessel for me to share my coil artwork.

Studio.jpg
 

OhmzRaw

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Put some of this in another thread. But, I found this thread and though I could put it here for those looking specifically for photo tips. For those of use not willing or able to invest as much time and money into the picture end of the art ... Here's my photo studio lol
Can't exactly take a picture of my phone with my hone lol ... But, I have an LG X-Charge (cheap phone). The Tape is my tripod. A bowl or wide mouth mug works well too. And If I just can't get an angle I like I go freehand and take a million of the same photo till I get one that is in focus. The lens is an $8 one from Aldi's. I just move the light, and phone, around till I like what I see. I use "Open Camera" (free) app for manual focus and exposure bracketing. And I use picsart (free) for slight editing (res and saturation) and to add my watermark.

And I feel like have reasonable acceptable pictures pretty often. They wont win me any awards, but for me the photos are just a vessel for me to share my coil artwork.

View attachment 119610
This is great
 

OhmzRaw

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Have you considered a mini tripod? Alternately, you could lay your phone on a stack of boxes to keep it steady. Use different sized boxes until you're at the desired focal length from the object(s).

Like this:

6ZtBGT4.jpg




Here's a stack I did using the method above, and the Open Camera software. I focused solely on the coils and deck. I can't recall exactly, but it was probably about 10 shots stacked together.

WSFU6yl.jpg
What app or software do you use to stack? I have an olloclip lens for my iPhone I think it's a X10 and a X15 lens. I think I need to make more use of it. It wasn't a cheap piece and I probably only used it once.
 

WPMac

Silver Contributor
Member For 1 Year
Unlisted Vendor
Well I decided to take a small dive into focus stacking. The only thing I used was GIMP. Here's a 3 layer stack. Apparently I didn't get the mask right on the last stack ... you can see a nasty blur near the bottom. It's not great but it's a start.

Edit - Nope it wasn't the layer mask. It's a case that I didn't get a good focused shot between the second and third layer ;)

Free open source photo editing software - https://www.gimp.org/

Super quick tutorial on how to stack with it -


stack1 2mp.jpg
 
Last edited:

chrisakasparky

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Well I decided to take a small dive into focus stacking. The only thing I used was GIMP. Here's a 3 layer stack. Apparently I didn't get the mask right on the last stack ... you can see a nasty blur near the bottom. It's not great but it's a start.

Edit - Nope it wasn't the layer mask. It's a case that I didn't get a good focused shot between the second and third layer ;)

Free open source photo editing software - https://www.gimp.org/

Super quick tutorial on how to stack with it -


View attachment 121297

I love gimp, good start!
 

WPMac

Silver Contributor
Member For 1 Year
Unlisted Vendor
Getting better ... Put a little more effort into this one. Anyone with some experience for stacking without helicon, or the like, please feel free to throw out some tips for me :D
Fist shot
1sa2mp.jpg
5 shots stacked
5layeralien2mp.jpg
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
HedgeCamera 2 (Android) does focus bracketing correctly, and allows saving in jpg, png, or .dng! Only Android app I have tried (out of 10 or so) with focus bracketing that works - this saves literally hours of leaning over and staring at my phone, moving a slider a minute amount, and touching/accidentally moving the phone...no more of that, yay!!! I could do up to 100 pictures focus bracketed - the ones below are with 30 snaps, and 15 snaps - I'll mess with it more this weekend

I took about 800 pictures today, in the last 2 hours only

PSX_20181204_151454.jpg

PSX_20181204_151721.jpg

Happy with this, good enough for me!
 
Last edited:

WPMac

Silver Contributor
Member For 1 Year
Unlisted Vendor
HedgeCamera 2 (Android) does focus bracketing correctly, and allows saving in jpg, png, or .dng! Only Android app I have tried (out of 10 or so) with focus bracketing that works - this saves literally hours of leaning over and staring at my phone, moving a slider a minute amount, and touching/accidentally moving the phone...no more of that, yay!!! I could do up to 100 pictures focus bracketed - the ones below are with 30 snaps, and 15 snaps - I'll mess with it more this weekend

I took about 800 pictures today, in the last 2 hours only

View attachment 125739

View attachment 125740

Happy with this, good enough for me!
awesome!!! I d/l'd hedge. OpenCamera focus bracketing is extremely limiting. Gonna play with hedge over the next couple of days and see whats good :D
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
Does Hedge 2 use the macro setting on your phone camera?


The Macro focus setting is pointless - it's just another kind of autofocus. It doesn't get the focus any closer than regular autofocus can. What Hedgecam has that's useful is a manual focus slider for you to pick the exact spot to focus on, as well as focus bracketing which lets you set the minimum and maximum focus distance you want, and then takes pictures in order from closest to farthest focus in increments equal to however many pictures you choose to take - so for 10 pictures, it would adjust the focus 1/10th of the difference between the minimum and maximum distance you set before taking each successive picture
 

gsmit1

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
The Macro focus setting is pointless - it's just another kind of autofocus. It doesn't get the focus any closer than regular autofocus can. What Hedgecam has that's useful is a manual focus slider for you to pick the exact spot to focus on, as well as focus bracketing which lets you set the minimum and maximum focus distance you want, and then takes pictures in order from closest to farthest focus in increments equal to however many pictures you choose to take - so for 10 pictures, it would adjust the focus 1/10th of the difference between the minimum and maximum distance you set before taking each successive picture
I haven't had much of a chance to do much more than open it, but when I get a chance I'm going to play around with it and this was very helpful Meg. Thanks.
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
I haven't had much of a chance to do much more than open it, but when I get a chance I'm going to play around with it and this was very helpful Meg. Thanks.


Feel free to ask anything else; I spent a solid week rooting my phone, messing with system settings, and basically wasting my time to thoroughly learn about "androidography

Focus bracketing and max quality jpeg quality is all it needs...the rest is lighting and setup aside from the phone
 

WPMac

Silver Contributor
Member For 1 Year
Unlisted Vendor
The Macro focus setting is pointless - it's just another kind of autofocus. It doesn't get the focus any closer than regular autofocus can. What Hedgecam has that's useful is a manual focus slider for you to pick the exact spot to focus on, as well as focus bracketing which lets you set the minimum and maximum focus distance you want, and then takes pictures in order from closest to farthest focus in increments equal to however many pictures you choose to take - so for 10 pictures, it would adjust the focus 1/10th of the difference between the minimum and maximum distance you set before taking each successive picture
I've had nothing but issues with this app. It crashes every other time I try to take a shot (especially with bracketing). Luckily I figure out how to get up to 20 shots on open camera bracketing. It's not as much as hedge but it works well enough for me.

As a note (if your like me and can't get hedge to be stable) Opencamera has most of the same options as hedge. Exposure and focus bracketing, manual focus, image save options (jpeg and dng), exposure compensation, ect ...

Here's my most recent attempt at focus stacking with helicon and open camera. With a bit of post editing as well. It's a horrid shot but I spent like 20 mins playing with the lighting and it just came out harsh no matter what I did.

Meg - how did you get those razorbacks to look like that? I would love a rundown on your process!!

PicsArt_12-17-11.43.20-2.jpg
 

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Unlisted Vendor
I've had nothing but issues with this app. It crashes every other time I try to take a shot (especially with bracketing). Luckily I figure out how to get up to 20 shots on open camera bracketing. It's not as much as hedge but it works well enough for me.

As a note (if your like me and can't get hedge to be stable) Opencamera has most of the same options as hedge. Exposure and focus bracketing, manual focus, image save options (jpeg and dng), exposure compensation, ect ...

Here's my most recent attempt at focus stacking with helicon and open camera. With a bit of post editing as well. It's a horrid shot but I spent like 20 mins playing with the lighting and it just came out harsh no matter what I did.

Meg - how did you get those razorbacks to look like that? I would love a rundown on your process!!

View attachment 126838


That's kinda humorous to me because Open Camera won't do focus bracketing on my phone at all - it will just take 20 pictures or whatever at the exact same focus lol

I do have to up the time between shots to at least 1.5 seconds in Hedgecam, or it will crash - it needs time to adjust focus before snapping again, and every phone is different

What phone do you have? This, I think, is the necessary place to start
 

gsmit1

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Feel free to ask anything else; I spent a solid week rooting my phone, messing with system settings, and basically wasting my time to thoroughly learn about "androidography

Focus bracketing and max quality jpeg quality is all it needs...the rest is lighting and setup aside from the phone
Thanks, I appreciate that, but don't talk to me about rooting your phone.

I had a Galaxy S6 for three years that was rooted, had TWRP, was overclocked and tweaked so tight I thought it might implode. My new phone cannot be rooted. At least not at the bootloader like the S6, and I'm still mourning bad over that. :headbang: :gaah:
 

VU Sponsors

Top