Underwater Photography Part 3 Text And Photographs by Paul Janosi Macro Photography - Using Extension Tubes

Underwater Macro Photography is amazingly simple to perfect because the guess work is removed from focus, exposure and framing. The results are rewarding because the miniature creatures of the sea add a fascinating new dimension to underwater photography.

The Nikonos is the most rugged, versatile and compact underwater 35 mm camera system available, making it ideal for working in close quarters. The standard 35 mm lens has a limited focusing range from infinity to approximately 2.75 feet. However, by adding a variable amount of extension between the camera and lens, the minimum focusing distance can be reduced.
Underwater Photography Part 1
Underwater Photography Part 2
Extension Tube
Focus
Magnification
Depth of Field
Framing
Step by step instructions
Older Cameras
Subject Selection
Underwater Photography Part 4
Underwater Photography Part 5

Extension Tube
The extension tube is an aluminum tube with machined bayonet mounts at each end, that couples with the Nikonos body and lens. The end that fits into the Nikonos body is fitted with an "O" ring, therefore making it water tight. There is no lens in the tube to aid magnification, it is the extension of the distance between the camera and the lens that produces the increase in magnification. Since the extension tube contains no lenses, your picture made with them will be as sharp as your camera lens will permit. To prevent stray light from fogging your film, the inside of the extension tube has anti-reflection threads and a dull black finish.

Focus
Since the addition of an extension tube changes the minimum focusing distance, the tubes are supplied with a focal framer to ensure correct focus. The focal framer is a device that not only indicates the exact camera to subject distance, but also produces a frame around the entire picture area. In order to prevent the framer from appearing in the picture area, the framer is 1/4 inch larger than the border around the picture area. The framers are made of stainless steel and are coated with black epoxy or paint to prevent reflection of light. The tubes and frames can be separated for cleaning and easy packaging for travel. For quick identification and assembly, the tubes and framers are colour coded.

Magnification
Extension tubes are available in different sizes and magnifications. There are at least four sizes available for the 35 mm lens; 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4, and three sizes for the 28 mm lens; 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 tubes are added together. The ratio between the actual object size and image size recorded on film is termed "magnification: and is expressed as the reproduction ratio M=1/O, where "M" is magnification, "I" is the image size and "O" is the object size. For example, if the image size recorded on the film is one third the object size, the reproduction ratio is said to be 1:3.

We can quickly estimate the size (magnification) of an extension tube used by thinking in terms of the height of the 35 mm negative, as compared to the height of the focal framer used. If we round off the height of a height of a 35 mm negative to 1 inch and the area framed is about 1 inch high, it is a 1:1 extension tube. If the framer used is 2 inches high, it is said to be 1:2, 3 inches high, 1:3 and 4 inches high is 1:4.

Depth of Field
When the camera is focused on an object, there is an area in front of and behind the object that also appears to be in sharp focus. This area extending in front and behind the plane of the sharpest focus is referred to as "Depth of Field". Contrarily to regular photography, when the object distance is less than 8 times the focal length of the lens, the depth of field becomes approximately the same in front of the focused distance as behind.

The greater the extension of the lens from the camera, the greater the magnification and the more shallow will be the depth of fields. Since at 1:1 reproduction ratio the depth of field at f22 is only about 1/4 inch, at 1:2, 1/2 inch, at 1:3, 3/4 inch and at 1:4, about 1 inch, it is clear that a small aperture and careful placement of the subject, if it has depth, will be necessary.

Framing
Frame the subject in the center of the framer with an imaginary 1/4 inch border on all sides. The subject will automatically be n sharp focus. The composition can be easily nudged while viewing the subject withing the framer. Remember to look at the subject from the same plane as the camera lens is seeing it, otherwise you will not get the same perspective as the lens sees.

Taking pictures underwater is surprisingly easy with the automatic exposure control of the Nikonos V and the TTL circuitry of the SB103 or SB102 strobes. In macro photography all camera and strobe controls are preset.

Step by step instructions:

1. Open camera back. Remove, lubricate and replace "O" ring.
2. Load the film in the camera and set film speed dial to the ISO of the film loaded. (ISO 50 or 64 film is a good choice to start with but ISO 100 also works well)
3. Clean and lubricate the "O" ring on the extension tube.
4. Remove thumb screw and then the framer from the tube.
5. Remove the lens from your camera. Lubricate the "O" ring.
6. Mount the lens to the extension tube the same way you mount the lens to the camera.
7. Attach the desired combination of lens and extension tube to the front of the camera.
8. Attach the framer to the extension tube and tighten the thumb screw.
9. Set focus at absolute minimum. This is at 2.75 feet for use with 35 mm lens, and 1.97 feet with 28 mm lens.
10. Set the aperture at f22.
11. Since you will be using your Nikonos strube SB103 or SB102, be sure your shutter speed is set to A(auto). With older models such as the Nikonos II or III, the shutter is set to the flash sych of 1/60 sec, with the Nikonos IV -A it is set to "manual" 1/90 sec.
12. Mount the flash arm bracket on the bottom of the camera.
13. Reverse and mount flash arm on to the bracket. In this position the top of the arm is almost over the top of the camera.
14. Remove battery comartment cover from flash. Remove, lubricate and replace "O" ring.
15. Install recommended batteries (either disposable or rechargeable batteries will work but the rechargeable provides faster recycling).
16. Loosen the joint knob and insert joint plate into the joint collar on the flash and lock the joint.
17. Loosen the joint lever and inser the flash arm into the joint.
18. Position the arm such that the flash is directly over the camera aiming to the center of the framer. Lock the arm. ( To select the desired angle both the joint plate on the flash and the joint lever on the arm may have to be loosened and readjusted. )
19. Remove flash sync socket cover from Nikonos V and the flash in use.
20. Lubricate the "O" ring on both ends of the flash sync cord and attach the appropriate end to the camera and flash sync terminals.
21. Turn the Nikonos SB103 to the TTL position. The Nikonos SB102 has to be turned to the "ON" position with the power switch and the mode selector has to be positioned to TTL.
22. The optimum strobe to subject distance is a function of the particular comination of strobe, film speed, extension tube and aperture. With the strube mounted in this position, the strobe to subject distance is about 6 inches hith will yield optimum exposure for most subjects. If you get a full power flash signal, move the flash closer. (In the TTL automatic mode, the ready light on the flash unit will blink for 2 seconds if the flash unit has fired at its maximum output to indicate that the light output may not have been sufficient for correct exposure.)
23. The Nikonos V TTL Exposure system with the SB103 and SB102 flashes is remarkably accurate for macro and close up exposures. However, you may wish to bracket TTL exposure to adjust for the differences in subject brightness, reflectiveness or to bet the desired mood or effect you are looking for.

To do this, change the ISO film speed dial. For more exposure use a lower setting. For less exposure use a higher setting. Halving or doubling the ISO setting, changes exposure by one stop.

Older Cameras Manual exposure with Nikonos II, III, or IV is easy once you know what strobe to subject distance to use.

Although it is possible to calculate the proper subject to flash distance give the ISO of the film, the guide number of the flash and the magnification of the extension tube, it is far simpler to arrive at proper exosure through a few tests in a bath tub or a swimming pool.

The easiest way to do this is to purchase some plastic flowers. The best colours to get are blue or green, white or light yellow, and deep red or brown.

First set up with a 1:1 extension tube. Set the f stop to 22 and the shutter speed to 1/60 or 1/90 sec. Place the flash on top of your Nikonos, aim it on the framer and take a picture. Next, move the flash 2 inches forward and take another picture. For the third shot move the flash 2 inches behind the Nikonos and take another picture.

Repeat the above procedure for each of the three colours and for each of the extension tubes you plan to use, keeping careful records for each exposure.

Repeat the above procedure for each of the three colours and for each exposure.

Based on the results of the developed film the optimum exposure can be selected and for simplicity in actual use, it can be written on the back of the strobe. For example:

The above exposure will work with a subject of an average brightness. However, one must compensate for the reflective subjects by moving the flash back about 2" or for dark subjects by moving forward about 2".

Subject Selection
Probably the best way of locating subjects for close up photography is to dive with somebody who knows the area. Ask your dive master where you can find a particular subject. Chances are, they have seen whatever you are looking for and know exactly where to find it. Approach your subject away. Feeding fish is the only way of getting close enough to them to fill the frame. Don’t cast shadows. Animals such as tube worms have light sensitive organs and will withdraw into their tubes when a shadow is cast over them. Be patient. What goes in must come out! Tube worms will usually come out in a couple of minutes.

Most things that are good for macro photography are very delicate creatures. They usually hide between cracks in the coral, or under a lece or beneath a rock. Make sure that you place rocks back in the same position as you found them, otherwise you could be killing some organism that makes his home under the rock. And always put the organism back where you found it if you have taken it away from its hiding place.

Night diving is probably the best time for macro photography. All crustaceans (shrimps, lobster, etc.) Come out at night. You will also be able to find echinoderms (starfish, brittle-stars, basket-stars, crinoids, etc.) At night much easier than during the day. Sponges are probably the easiest to find and photograph. Shine a light on a sponge and you may find that it has a briliant colour that is only visible when the light strikes the subject. Remember that the colours are not what they seem to be, and that at a 100 feet you will not be able to find red sponge unless you use a light. Stay close to the reef or close to the wall when looking for macro subjects. Most things are so small that you could miss them by swimming too far from them.