Zeikos Close Up Macro Filter Set

Decided to try one of these once again, but with a purpose this time- to zoom in on the bees and insects a little bit more with my 70-300VR.

Testing the thought of how much each diopter reduced the minimal working distance via Gundam Wing Leo figure and a desk chair. The tests were successful in the static environment, and went as follows:

This was the stock 1.5m minimal focus distance at maximum 300mm zoom-

Then I added +1 filter and moved the camera until I got within the new minimal focus distance and took another shot, still zoomed in at 300mm-

Since +1 didn’t really do as much, I bet this whole idea on +2 and that went just about perfectly-

Given the bees and lots of other bugs are roughly the size of Leo’s head and would let me in that close (about 0.5m vs original 1.5m), this could be perfect to shoot the busy and ignorant bees with.

Next I tried +4 filter just to see how much zoom it would add, and it was a bit too close for comfort at 300mm; however, shooting at 70mm was pretty solid and allowed me even more room to zoom and frame the shot as needed-

Here I was just a hint closer than with the +2 filter.

And a shot with the +4 filter at 300mm zoom-

All in all, very pleasing results for $20 spent on equipment I will only use occasionally. Naturally, bumping the ISO, shutter speed, and using a flash will help the whole process tremendously.

Until I field test this setup then…

 

Gundam Wing – Leo – Robot Damashii X MSiA

Couldn’t resist shelling $40 for the new Leo that Bandai rolled out last month for the Robot Damashii line. Gundam Wing being one of my favorite series of all time, the first one I really got into after moving to the states, and that opened up Gunpla and figures for me- any new, especially grunt merchandise is always welcome in my book.

The Mobile Suit in Action Leo, I got way back in 2000 when they were localized here in the states, and haven’t really seen any other incarnation of this classic grunt save maybe garage kits and smaller static figures. Now, after 12 years, Bandai finally released a worthy successor to the lonely old timer, but not without a clever trick up their sleeve- the weapons for the RD Leo are a whole separate set unlike the oldie that came loaded with extra gear. Another detail I noticed was the fact that the head on the RD Leo is an extra new piece over the standard head connector, and my guess is it is because the base figure is a rehash of the RD Tallgeese II limited edition.

Without any further adieu, MSiA on the left and RD on the right.