Fungi Macro Photography

Hi all

I thought it might be interesting sharing our ideas and methods on this topic.

This is my current macro rig I use for tiny Fungi in the size range 0.2mm – 2mm. The weight of the ‘rig is 10Kg and lighting is provided by several LED sources depending on the subject to be photographed. The ‘drilled’ metal base provides different configurations and allows ‘magnetic’ LED lamps to be sited for main or supplementary lighting.

[attachment=2]Macro Setup_1_IMG_3199_m_e.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=1]Macro Setup_2_IMG_3208_m_e.jpg[/attachment]

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I chose a horizontal setup purely and simply because it has better stability. The camera is held very securely by a Novoflex Castel – L Focusing Rail and the movement is ‘oh so smooth’ and accurate. I did initially use a Velbon Super Mag slider with just the forwards – backwards movement (I removed the left – right part) but it’s just not up to the job.

Of course the Canon MP-E 65mm takes centre stage. This unique lens starts where other ‘normal’ macro lenses finish. Up to 5x magnification, which can be increased using bellows or extension tubes. I do tend to shoot at about 3x and always at f8. Cropping at times can be a better option than using a higher magnification!

Whilst ‘helping hand’ crocodile clips may be useful for soldering situations they are just too unstable for ultra macro work. They are the weakest link and I find it odd that many people spend several thousand pounds on a macro setup only to scrimp on the subject holder.

Larger fungi are photographed with ‘standard’ 1:1 macro lenses (Sigma 70mm, 105mm and 150mm). Anything smaller than 0.2mm is photographed using a GX optical stereo microscope and for ID determination a Brunel SP200 Compound microscope.

Here is an example image of Pirottaea nigrostriata taken at 3x

Hope people find this useful

Best Wishes – John