Funnel Weaver lens test, Iscorama anamorphic
This is a second funnel weaver that's sharing a small terrarium with one that was posted on Flickr several days ago. Taken with a Nikon D60, Nikkor-H-85mm f/1.8 lens, fitted with an Iscorama anamorphic lens (compression module only), with both a Nikon 4T and Sigma 1.6X closeup lens on the Isco, and the objective lens from a badly damaged (parts only, no hope of repair) Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens mounted on the 1.6x closeup lens. Lighting was provided by a Nikon SB-20 speedlight, direct... no diffuser. This combination does yield decent results but is very unwieldy and difficult to maneuver when working with subjects in a small terrarium.
Here's the complete rig, taken a few years ago when I first began working with this particular lens configuration:
www.flickr.com/photos/61377404@N08/16836506329
There are easier, lighter, and shorter ways to get close, especially with subjects that for some reason feel the best place to be is right up against the glass.
This was taken looking straight down into the terrarium with the cover removed, in order to have a bright autumn leaf as a backdrop below the spider hanging in her web. The flash was being blocked by the frame of the terrarium and any attempt at shooting from another position produced intense reflections off the glass resulting in unworkable images. I finally had to resort to moving the sticks supporting the web away from the glass a short distance. The spider (surprisingly) stayed put as the sticks and her web moved about 2 inches. Then I had to use a special spider "wrangling" tool made from the shiny metal telescoping handle of a tool kit mirror, with the mirror removed. This is used as a non-climbable probe ideal for "herding" spiders that would otherwise scramble up a stick and escape. I performed what resembled a bit of Laparoscopic surgery... probing through the web to shift a brightly colored leaf into position beneath the spider. This procedure caused her to bolt down a web "tunnel" to her "safe space". A few gentle pokes behind her with the probe had her zip back out, run around a bit, then settle where you see her.
DSC-5379-ISCO
Funnel Weaver lens test, Iscorama anamorphic
This is a second funnel weaver that's sharing a small terrarium with one that was posted on Flickr several days ago. Taken with a Nikon D60, Nikkor-H-85mm f/1.8 lens, fitted with an Iscorama anamorphic lens (compression module only), with both a Nikon 4T and Sigma 1.6X closeup lens on the Isco, and the objective lens from a badly damaged (parts only, no hope of repair) Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens mounted on the 1.6x closeup lens. Lighting was provided by a Nikon SB-20 speedlight, direct... no diffuser. This combination does yield decent results but is very unwieldy and difficult to maneuver when working with subjects in a small terrarium.
Here's the complete rig, taken a few years ago when I first began working with this particular lens configuration:
www.flickr.com/photos/61377404@N08/16836506329
There are easier, lighter, and shorter ways to get close, especially with subjects that for some reason feel the best place to be is right up against the glass.
This was taken looking straight down into the terrarium with the cover removed, in order to have a bright autumn leaf as a backdrop below the spider hanging in her web. The flash was being blocked by the frame of the terrarium and any attempt at shooting from another position produced intense reflections off the glass resulting in unworkable images. I finally had to resort to moving the sticks supporting the web away from the glass a short distance. The spider (surprisingly) stayed put as the sticks and her web moved about 2 inches. Then I had to use a special spider "wrangling" tool made from the shiny metal telescoping handle of a tool kit mirror, with the mirror removed. This is used as a non-climbable probe ideal for "herding" spiders that would otherwise scramble up a stick and escape. I performed what resembled a bit of Laparoscopic surgery... probing through the web to shift a brightly colored leaf into position beneath the spider. This procedure caused her to bolt down a web "tunnel" to her "safe space". A few gentle pokes behind her with the probe had her zip back out, run around a bit, then settle where you see her.
DSC-5379-ISCO