The Macro Rig Rethunk - Macro Talk Too #66- Allan Walls Photography, October 26, 2023

I think the time has come to rethink how we are doing macro in the studio - the whole process has become more complicated than it maybe needs to be and the result is that many of us spend too much time worrying about things that don't matter and less time taking the best pictures we can. I am going to look at several of the ways that I have been doing things in my studio and see if there are maybe some ways we can take things back to a simpler but equally effective arrangement. I will suggest a few ways that we can simplify the process, save some money, and get a really modern and functional platform that works. This is very much tuned for the beginner, so please bring your questions!
If you would like to chose from the biggest selection of macro gear in the world, use this link to get to Amazon. When there, buy something like this very rail (amzn.to/3KJaIIn), but you can actually buy anything you want, like this book from Robert Thompson - amzn.to/45aLpa3 - because this is an affiliate link, I may make a small fee from Amazon -
Don't forget to email me your LIVESTREAM suggestions to [e-mail]
I am occasionally asked about my own choice of gear, so...
When in the studio I use the Nikon D850 as my main camera - amzn.to/3zEznWK
My primary video lens is a 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom - amzn.to/3zzaoUy
My main focus stacking body is a Nikon D7500 - amzn.to/371KoFe
A Nikon D3400 is for emergencies - amzn.to/3xbwXgu
A Fujifilm XT-2, with a battery grip, is my main microscope camera but also does duty as a livestream back up camera - amzn.to/3l3Agnw
I use Adobe software for almost everything, because it is good and the support is fantastic. I am an outspoken fan of Zerene Stacker, and for anyone who thinks I must be a Zerene employee to speak of it in such glowing terms and to recommend it so unconditionally, I am not. It is just the only complete professional macro focus stacking software program on the market. It is in a class of its own.
That is just some of the stuff I use - if you have any questions about my macro gear, or my recording equipment, just ask.
All my audio, music and sound effects come from Epidemic Sound - I have been with them for about 3 years and they are pretty awesome - www.epidemicsound.com
Unless I state differently, all the photography you see on my channel, in my videos and on my website, was done by me. I tell you that so that you know I would never blame another photographer for my photographic mediocrity. But I love taking pictures, so I do.
FIND ME HERE
Here is how you can find me on:
Instagram: / old_dog_new_trix
Flickr: www.flickr.com...
Twitter: / allanwalls
Discord: This is an invitation… come on over and meet the rest of the gang! / discord
My website: www.allanwalls...
SUPPORT ME HERE
If you would like to support my work, you can do so in any of the following ways:
by becoming a Patreon patron - / allanwallsphotography
By making a donation to the video assistance fund on my website www.allanwalls...
You could buy me a cup of coffee via PayPal, by clicking on www.paypal.me/...
If you wanted to help me without having to give me anything, you could use this link when you go shopping on Amazon - that is it, you don’t have to do anything else but you will have helped the channel pay the bills - the link is amzn.to/3eV74vk

[@matshaglund2718]

👍👍

[@BUY_YOUTUBE_VIEWS_d069]

God be with you all

[@tipptoggy]

I've used car mats at the back of the macro set up, relatively stiff and being fabric they are not reflective, I can pick them up for about €3 here in Ireland.

[@colinbm2010]

What is the brand of that heavy rail please ?