Why the macro slide offers many advantages for precise recordings and how it can be used to capture breathtaking moments that are otherwise not often seen with the naked eye; The nature and landscape photographer Florian Kunde got to the bottom of these questions in a collaboration with us. At the launch of our macro sled he had the opportunity to put it through its paces.
What experiences he had and why he joined Macro photographs You can find out more about using the sled outdoors in this blog post.
The play of sharpness and blurriness
Florian Kunde discovered his passion for photography early on and completed his studies with a focus on photography. Personally, he likes to work with a good mix Sharpness and blurriness in his pictures. His goal: the viewer of his pictures can feel like a hidden observer of his scene. As if you could see through the grass or leaves, said the customer.e.
| camera | focal length | ISO | cover | exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujifilm X-T3 | 56mm | 160 | f/1.4 | 1/640 sec. |
In addition to large and expansive landscapes, he likes to capture moments when one... detailed look The carpet of moss in the forest, the flowers on the edge of the sidewalk, small crawling creatures in the garden and much more are worth it. However, this also poses a certain challenge for an experienced photographer. The closer you bring your lens to the desired subject, the smaller it becomes Sharpness range. If you want to get more sharpness in your picture, you definitely need it more light and loses that beautiful bokeh an open aperture.
Focus stacking or Macro stacking can help with this. Here several shots of the image are taken and merged into one final result put together. In order to enable the necessary millimeter-precise displacements, the Macro slide optimal for this work. The photographer himself has been using Rollei products for a long time and was therefore pleased to have the tool directly in his pocket Test practice to be able to.
Macro photography with millimeter precision
In order to simulate before and after pictures with and without the Macro Rail, the photographer rebuilt his setup at home. Without that Macro slide was that Macro stacking not possible, or there were some blurred parts. With the built-in crank thread, which moves the macro slide and the camera mounted on it precisely at individual intervals, it was possible to create these neat, clean recordings. In the digital post-processing he was able to combine the images into a typical macro stacking and get the desired result.
Practical test: photo stacking with the macro slide
To the Macro slide In order to be able to take a closer look at it in combination with the LUMIS Solo 2 in practice, Florian Kunde drove to the Kummerfelder Forest. This is ideal for the large moss landscape Macro stacking at. For the recordings he has next to his Fujifilm X-T3 on the Viltrox lens 56 millimeters f/1.4 set. To the Macro slide To be able to place it optimally, he also uses this Compact Traveler Mini M-1. The mini tripod allowed him to take photos close to the ground.
| camera | focal length | ISO | cover | exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujifilm X-T3 | 56mm | 160 | f/1.4 | 1/640 sec. |
For the Photo stacking setup The photographer positioned the camera mounted on the macro slide in front of a tree trunk covered with moss. Due to the changeable weather during his shoot, he resorted to the LED cube LUMIS Solo 2 back. For the targeted lighting In this setup he uses a device prepared with an orange color filter and another LUMIS Solo 2 with an attached spot attachment in the right area of the image. These were used to simulate the sun's rays. Using another device, Kunde illuminated the moss layers from the left side. Here he used a blue color filter to create a Contrast in a cooler atmosphere to create.
Easy camera moves
During his test, Florian Kunde not only used the classic system macro slide for photo stacking there is also the option for simple Camera rides particularly fascinating. He also tested this with a camera move in the forest and once again chose a moss-covered tree trunk as the motif. He wanted to include the dew drops that could still be seen on the moss as a special highlight. In order to highlight this even more, he intervened again LUMIS Solo 2 back. For one directed light beam This time he once again used the spot attachment included in the delivery.
Around „almost smooth“ To create recordings, Florian Kunde recommends adjusting the resistance of the crank. When taking the photos, he noticed that the focus was via the crank Macro slide more precise and easier than via the lens itself.
The photographer also advises taking these photos in... Slow motion mode if your camera supports this mode. This not only makes it easier for him to balance the macro slide every time he focuses without blurring the subject, but it also makes it easier for him digital post-processing the camera movement.
Macro shots in the garden highlight motifs in a targeted mannern
In order to be able to test the macro slide again with a different setup, the photographer also installed it second setup in the home garden. He decided to use the flowering crocuses and the grass between them as a motif.
To have a beautiful one Image composition near the ground To realize this, he also used this in this setup Macro slide in the combination with the Compact Traveler Mini M-1 a. To enable portrait format, he tilted the tripod's ball head 90 degrees.
Especially with this setup he finds the challenge of Macro photography realized. As soon as he designed the shots with an open aperture, he missed it Sharpness of the image or the focus in the motif. In the photographer's eyes, the context of his image was also lost. In order to get more sharpness, he tried to stop down. However, this led to the loss of the great bokeh, which this Viltrox lens just outstanding.
That's why it offers Macro slide, from Florian Kunde's point of view, the optimal solution. With the Interval timer on his camera he was able to easily take the pictures at an interval of 20 pictures with a two-second break in between. During the two-second pause, he turned the crank of the carriage by a few millimeters, thereby changing the focus area of his image.
You can see what the images look like in the quick view in the following example. Next to the final result, in which the individual shots were stacked, you can clearly see how the focus shifted with each shot.b.
| camera | focal length | ISO | cover | exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujifilm X-T3 | 56mm | 160 | f/1.4 | 1/640 sec. |
The photographer's conclusion about the macro slide
Already that Macro slide design Florian Kunde convinced. In addition, the thread along with the crank pretty tough is. I can throw the macro slide into my camera backpack without worrying about it getting damaged, says the photographer.f.
He pointed out that the crank and, depending on where the camera is positioned, individual wheels are a little more difficult to reach, but overall this did not prevent him from working with the macro slide. We are of course very happy to receive this as feedback and will do so in the future Product revision take into account.
In addition to his camera, which in combination with the correct lens one from home integrated stacking mode offers, he sees it Macro slide as optimal addition. Together with the sleigh he can Stop motion images and still more precise stacking shots create. Also for (Dolly) Camera rides The photographer can only recommend the macro slide.
| camera | focal length | ISO | cover | exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujifilm X-T3 | 56mm | 160 | f/1.4 | 1/640 sec. |