In addition to lemurs and chameleons, Madagascar is also a great place to photograph frogs. This guy’s scientific name is Heterixalus Betsileo. Not sure of the common name. I photographed him/her on a night walk through the forests around the town of Perinet in central Madagascar. I’ve mentioned that in lieu of a dedicated macro lens, I used to capture shots like this by screwing a close up filter to the end of my mid range zoom lens. This creates a very narrow depth of field so a high aperture is necessary to get good results. I also used two flash units positioned close the subject to fill in the shadow areas. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 165mm) with Canon 500D close up filter, ISO 100, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units
I just picked one up which fits nicely on my 77mm filter sized Nikkor lenses. I think they come in 52/58/72mm sizes. If your 70-300 mm takes a 67mm filter, the 72mm Canon close up lens should work, I believe, as long as you buy a step-up ring. BTW, though I have been a lifelong Nikon afficionado, I was very impressed with the quality of the Canon close up lens. One of the reasons I purchased it – in addition to the fact that Sean has taken some really nice images with his (Nikon should hire Sean as a spokesperson,) – is that I wanted to pare down the gear (actually the weight) that I carry when travelling by plane. There is definite heft to the Canon close up lens, but it is smaller and lighter than my 60mm and 105mm macro lenses. I took a few initial images with it attached to my 70-200mm lens and they turned out well, getting me to within about 10 inches of the subject.
Rachel, when researching the Canon 500D close up lens, be sure to check the B&H Photo reviews. The 500d lens, which looks more like a filter on steroids, is not exactly the same as an actual close up lens (e.g., Nikkor 60mm or 105mm). However, it saves space & weight, while providing an accessory that sort of approximates an actual close up lens when it isn’t practical to reach for the heftier 60mm/105mm.
B&H reviews often provide valuable insights about photo gear & it is usually pretty easy to spot those reviews by folks who know their stuff. I cannot confirm if Sean did a review for B&H on the 200-400mm he uses, but I remember reading his take on that lens somewhere. From that review, I found his website and have been a follower ever since as his images sold me on the 200-400mm & I haven’t been disappointed. Yes, Nikon should pay homage to Sean!
Yes. They make it in several thread sizes and it really does save on space/weight if that is a concern.
Sue, boy do I wish that Nikon would hire me as a spokesperson. If anyone out there is listening, I’m available.
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In addition to lemurs and chameleons, Madagascar is also a great place to photograph frogs. This guy’s scientific name is Heterixalus Betsileo. Not sure of the common name. I photographed him/her on a night walk through the forests around the town of Perinet in central Madagascar. I’ve mentioned that in lieu of a dedicated macro lens, I used to capture shots like this by screwing a close up filter to the end of my mid range zoom lens. This creates a very narrow depth of field so a high aperture is necessary to get good results. I also used two flash units positioned close the subject to fill in the shadow areas.
Superb froggy! Love its stance.
Thanks Sue. He’s ready for action.
Wondered how you could get these close ups without spooking subjects
As frogs 🐸 go he is colorful
Aunt Sue
I always say that frogs and owls are unusually patient when it comes to holding their ground.
—– Hail Heterixalus
—– Legendary golden frog
—– Most imperious.
good looking frog.
Beautiful! You can use a Canon close-up filter on a Nikon camera? Also, would this work on a 70-300?
Hi, Rachel!
I just picked one up which fits nicely on my 77mm filter sized Nikkor lenses. I think they come in 52/58/72mm sizes. If your 70-300 mm takes a 67mm filter, the 72mm Canon close up lens should work, I believe, as long as you buy a step-up ring. BTW, though I have been a lifelong Nikon afficionado, I was very impressed with the quality of the Canon close up lens. One of the reasons I purchased it – in addition to the fact that Sean has taken some really nice images with his (Nikon should hire Sean as a spokesperson,) – is that I wanted to pare down the gear (actually the weight) that I carry when travelling by plane. There is definite heft to the Canon close up lens, but it is smaller and lighter than my 60mm and 105mm macro lenses. I took a few initial images with it attached to my 70-200mm lens and they turned out well, getting me to within about 10 inches of the subject.
Thank you, Sue! I’m going to look into it!
Rachel, when researching the Canon 500D close up lens, be sure to check the B&H Photo reviews. The 500d lens, which looks more like a filter on steroids, is not exactly the same as an actual close up lens (e.g., Nikkor 60mm or 105mm). However, it saves space & weight, while providing an accessory that sort of approximates an actual close up lens when it isn’t practical to reach for the heftier 60mm/105mm.
B&H reviews often provide valuable insights about photo gear & it is usually pretty easy to spot those reviews by folks who know their stuff. I cannot confirm if Sean did a review for B&H on the 200-400mm he uses, but I remember reading his take on that lens somewhere. From that review, I found his website and have been a follower ever since as his images sold me on the 200-400mm & I haven’t been disappointed. Yes, Nikon should pay homage to Sean!
Yes. They make it in several thread sizes and it really does save on space/weight if that is a concern.
Sue, boy do I wish that Nikon would hire me as a spokesperson. If anyone out there is listening, I’m available.
I just logged into my Nikon account and emailed them your site here and told them you would make an excellent spokesperson for them!
Ha. Thanks Rachel. If they ever come knocking I’ll have to give you a finders fee.