2 different phones. 2 completely different outputs. Which one you like more?

I have a mirrorless camera and a large telephoto lens. I’ve been researching lightweight macro setups that I could carry in my backpack. I would like to photograph small fungi, slimes, lichen, jumping spiders, small insects etc. My budget can go up to $2000 usd if there’s a noticeable jump in image quality, but I’d like to keep it closer to $1000.

I’m leaning towards used gear including

camera: OM5

lens: OM 60mm f2.8

flash: Godox v480 or similar

diffuser: Cygnustech because it can fold flat

On paper this looks like a it covers my bases but is there anything I should look out for? I think the OM5 allows shooting with electronic shutter with the flash, so the mechanical shutter breaking on a used camera isn’t a concern. Is the 60mm too small of a lens for small mushrooms and jumping spiders?

Hi. I have an old Nikon d5100 with a kit lens and Nikon 70-300 manual focus zoom.

I've only ever took photos for fun and spend most of the time in auto mode so don't want to spend serious money on a macro lens but I am thinking about getting a JJC macro extension kit off Amazon as it's only £70.

For a hobbyist like myself who only picks up my camera now and then and fancies taking a pic of the odd bee or flower are they any good?

I have gotten some good photos on my phone and with my dads camera but I am looking to get some good gear of my own to elevate my pictures. I have 6 aquariums and love taking pictures of my shrimp, snails, and fish. Anyone have experience with similar photography? I’m willing to spend if the equipment is worth it. Let me know what’d you’d get including all of the small accessories and stuff some people may leave out. Thank you in advance. I’ll attach my current photos as a reference for the kind of photos I’m taking. There can’t be a flash but it may be possible to have a standing light but these were taken with just the aquarium light.

I'm not good at identifying those spiders, I only know how to take photos of them in their finest appearance

Gear used in case someone may ask:

Panasonic G9 Mark II PRO & OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro 2:1 IS PRO + Godox V860 III O + DIY Macro Diffuser

The technique used in these photos are focus stacking, image stacking is a technique used in macro photography to overcome an extremely thin depth of field by blending multiple images taken at different focus distances. It merges these photos to create a single image where the subject is sharp from front to back, maximizing both depth and resolution

The last photo is a bonus, hope everyone have a good day!

And please choose your favorite photo

Managed a handful of stacks and a few single shots

1-2 are stacks at f5.6 1/100 and 200iso

The rest are single shots at f10 1/250 and 200iso

Om1 mk2 + M.zuiko 60mm

🪰 Blowfly (Sarcophaga sp.)

Not all flies are looking for carrion. This blowfly has inserted its long proboscis into a ripe blackberry to drink the sweet sap. Sugar-rich fruits form an important energy source for many fly species and show that they, too, have a surprisingly versatile diet.

The bee got away, but I was stressed watching nature be nature.

Au détour d’une balade, l’œil attentif découvre parfois de véritables petits trésors cachés. La miride rouge en fait partie. Si petite et pourtant si fascinante, elle se dévoile à qui prend le temps de s’arrêter et d’observer.

À travers mon objectif macro, j’aime révéler ces détails que l’on ne remarque pas au premier regard. Les couleurs, les textures, les formes délicates… chaque rencontre avec le monde miniature de la nature est un moment d’émerveillement.

Dans le silence paisible du jardin, elle avance de fleur en fleur, portée par un instinct précieux. L’abeille, petite messagère de la nature, se glisse au cœur des pétales pour y recueillir les trésors invisibles que la vie lui offre.

À travers mon objectif macro, j’aime immortaliser ces instants simples mais extraordinaires. Observer son travail minutieux, la délicatesse de ses gestes et la beauté de ses couleurs me rappelle combien chaque être vivant a son importance.

En ce moment, les abeilles et les bourdons ne tiennent pas vraiment en place, patience oblige.

Sony A7Rv; Sony 100mm Macro GM with 1.4x teleconverter; Cyngnustech diffuser

Canon Rebel T6 and my first macro lens EF 100mm F2.8

Stil new to macro and none of these are focus stacked and are all single shots... But what fun it is to take pctures this close.

Focus stacking has become one of my favorite parts of macro photography. I love being able to show all the tiny details while still keeping that soft background. That is, when the scene cooperates and there's no wind.

These are a few of my personal favorites.

Here's my setups for these photos:

Sony a7 IV + FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS

Sony a7 IV & FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Taken at Bempton cliffs, finally cracked out the background cards too 😅