Beginner at Macro - First few shots with a "Real" Macro Lens

[Overread]

Course it does depend on what you are shooting (and I don't even pretend to be an expert!).
With a greater aperture you do get the more blured backgrounds - with a smaller aperture you start to lose that - the only way to gain that back is with a longer focal length.

 

[icassell]

Good first go-arounds! As others have said, DOF is only a few mm at best when you are up close unless you stop it down, but you will learn. Lighting is also tricky. But that's what makes it fun!

Here's a useful link: http://workbench.cjmovie.net/phproxy/index.php?q=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5waG90by5uZXQvbGVhcm4vbWFjcm8=

 

[Battou]

I am curious as to why we have this discrepency...

Do you shoot mostly static?....

Do you always use off camera lighting?...

Do you find you still get a creamy shallow dof to isolate your subject?


me? hobbyist with no off camera flash shooting most critters (as sabbath would say) with the shallowest dof i can away with....

Yes

Yes

...I do not have an answer for that, generally my subjects use the entire frame and well beyond or I eliminate any sort of BG with paper

 

[dEARlEADER]

Yes

Yes

...I do not have an answer for that, generally my subjects use the entire frame and well beyond or I eliminate any sort of BG with paper

well.. that makes perfect sense then....

 

[keith204]

the dog's eye is at f/11 I believe, with built-in flash Simply didn't have my hot-shoe with me. Lighting is a little harsh, but that's ok for the eye picture. gives a good depth and contrast to the hair around it.