How can I photograph highly detailed close-up iris shots?
Asked 3/5/2011
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I want to capture very detailed photos of the iris, similar to extreme eye close-ups where the iris texture fills most of the frame. My current gear is a Nikon D90, SB-600 speedlight, a macro lens, the kit lens, and a 50mm f/1.4D. I’ve tried lowering ISO a lot, but I’m still struggling to get enough detail. What equipment and technique are typically needed for this kind of shot?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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From the original picture takers notes on Flickr:
Taken with three macro lenses stacked on a zoom lens on a Canon 40D.
Clearly you're not going to be able to accomplish such a close up shot without more magnification than you currently have available to you (or listed anyway). Without adding 'helper' optics in front of your current lens the best you'll probably be able to get is a 'close-up but not THAT close-up' version of the shot, which you may be able to crop into somewhat.
Also note that the DoF gets shallower with each optic element you add, so (as the original picture taker noted on Flickr) you'll probably end up needing to take a bunch in order to get 'the one' that has the focus just right...
Originally by user2838. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2838
15y ago
0
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Those example images use much more magnification than a standard macro setup usually provides. In one case, the photographer used stacked macro lenses on a zoom lens, and the image also appears to rely on very careful focusing or focus stacking.
To get this kind of iris detail, you generally need:
- more magnification than a normal macro lens alone
- very strong, even light on the eye
- precise focus, because depth of field becomes extremely thin
- a patient subject, since tiny movements ruin focus
A 100/105mm macro lens can get close, and extension tubes can push magnification further. Without extra optics or tubes, you’ll likely get a good close-up eye shot, but not as extreme as your first example.
Lighting matters as much as ISO. Use lots of light so you can keep shutter speed high and preserve detail. Don’t be afraid to use ISO 400 or 800 if needed; a sharp, well-lit image at moderate ISO is better than a low-ISO image that lacks detail or suffers from blur.
In short: for that level of detail, you’ll likely need added magnification, lots of light, and possibly focus stacking.
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