Macro w/ Sigma 50mm F2.8 DGMacro

[Freedbaby]

I just bought a Sigma 50mm F2.8mm DG Macro for taking pictures of Jewelry. Previously I was using my Tamron 17-50 F2.8 which was not a true macro lens but it was getting the job done.

What I am noticing with the Sigma Macro is that it has Crazy shallow depth of field. I usually hand hold everything because in my office I am usually in a big hurry to send a picture of something off to a customer, but even at F11 or F13 I am still getting quite a bit of blur. I know it has nothing to do with hand holding it because I AM indeed getting a focus point that is razor sharp but not the rest of the ring.....Is this normal with a macro lens?? Focus distance it about 2-5 inches BTW

My office camera is a Rebel XT and I have been shooting at ISO 800 125th or so at F11 or F13.......wondering if using my 40D would make a difference due to the ability to use higher ISO

Freedbaby

 

[JimmyO]

Yup, macro lenses have hair thin DOF. You need a good tripod so you can use a longer shutter speed, you could also get off camera lighting (which most macro shooters use all the time for this very reason, i think)

HTH

 

[Freedbaby]

I am indeed using a light tent with three external lights but if I stop it down anymore I will no longer be able to hand hold it.

well...maybe you are talking about strobes??

Freedbaby

 

[JimmyO]

Yes
These will be much more affective then those little lights that come with those softboxes

 

[Freedbaby]

so again...........more money to be spent?!?!?!?:x

 

[JimmyO]

Hehe
This IS photography were talking about.

 

[Overread]

yah = also you can get some nice small tripods (I forget who makes them) which would be idealy sized and of good solid quality for macro work - much easier to deal with for this kind of work than a fullsized tripod.

 

[Freedbaby]

thanks for that overread...I picked up one today at the local camera shop. Small and very sturdy, but only slightly adjustable. I seems to hold either of my cameras with lens and battery grip, so hopefully when I get to work tomorrow that will be the answer.

I didnt buy the remote control though....didnt have enough stash money in my pocket:er:

Freedbaby

 

[TamiyaGuy]

You don't really need a remote for still tripod photography; you can use a 2-second timer. Yep, photography can be a black hole when it comes to money, but as long as you think it's worth it...

After a quick google search, I've found that a 50mm lens focusing at 18cm has a depth of field of approximately 1 millimetre.

 

[Overread]

Also use mirror lock-up mode as well with the timer - that will remove any shaking from the viewfinder mirror moving up before taking a shot. It will probably set itself to a 2 second delay between moving the mirror and taking the shot.

 

[Ben-71]

As the closer you get to the object, the shallower the DOF,
try taking it from a bit further, and crop. ​

 

[lockwood81]

As the closer you get to the object, the shallower the DOF,


try taking it from a bit further, and crop. ​

:thumbup:

 

[Freedbaby]

I will try that...thanks guys.

When I called the company I bought it from to ask for advice they just said to keep stopping it down until it gets sharp, but I dont seem to have enough light to do that. I have a light tent that is about an 18" cube with 3 lights already. Not sure how to add more without going the strobe route which gets pricey.

Gonna back it off some and crop in and see how that works.

Freedbaby