New to Macro

bazza · Sep 19, 2007

Hi all, just got a 50mm macro lens, so I am trying it out.
Any hints/tips would be appreciated because this is my main field of interest and I would like to improve in it.. Thanks...

I managed to get one shot of a bee and half a dragonfly, that I cropped as only the eyes were in focus.

As always C & C needed... Thanks again...

Digital Matt · Sep 19, 2007

More depth of field please. For macro stuff you'll need to at least be shooting at f/8, but more than likely you'll be shooting at f/11~f22 to get enough dof. F4 is way too shallow.

bazza · Sep 19, 2007

Thankyou, thats what I need.. I'll try that next time I get out Thanks again.....

Digital Matt · Sep 19, 2007

Also if you are going to be shooting insects a lot, you might consider a longer focal length macro lens eventually to give you more working room.

bazza · Sep 19, 2007

I know, but I could only afford a used 50mm at this time.. It'll have to do until I get better.

Just hope they're not shy and let me get closer to them...

Digital Matt · Sep 19, 2007

Well, one trick, if you can catch them, is to put them in the freezer for a few minutes. It lowers their body temp and they will hardly move at all for several minutes while they warm up. A lot of bug photography is done this way.

bazza · Sep 19, 2007

Really...

Mmm... Where's my net?

Seriously, thanks for your help, much needed.

One question, Does macro need a tripod if you can or a bright day. because stopping down to f8 slows the shutter speed a lot, even when shooting with an iso of 400.

TCimages · Sep 19, 2007

Digital Matt said:
Well, one trick, if you can catch them, is to put them in the freezer for a few minutes. It lowers their body temp and they will hardly move at all for several minutes while they warm up. A lot of bug photography is done this way.

I don't agree with this. There are so many opportunities to take shots that don't harm the insects. Get out in the field and with lots of practice you'll get great shots.

TCimages · Sep 19, 2007

bazza said:
Hi all, just got a 50mm macro lens, so I am trying it out.
Any hints/tips would be appreciated because this is my main field of interest and I would like to improve in it.. Thanks...

I managed to get one shot of a bee and half a dragonfly, that I cropped as only the eyes were in focus.

As always C & C needed... Thanks again...

This is a great start, but as mentioned, you'll need to work on the DOF. Keep in mind tho, higher f numbers require a lot more light so you'll need lots of ambient light, external flash or pump the iso so you can get reasonable shutter speeds for handheld shots. I also would not recommend going much over f16 as this takes you way out of the sweet spot of the lens which sacrifices sharpness. I recommend external flash, f10-13, shutter speed 200-250 (highest sync speed), ISO 100. This allows decent DOF, sharp images, and a shutter speed that allows you to handhold.

Tripod- Many use them, I even have a specialized one, but IMO it's very limiting. They work great for flowers or other still objects, but moving subjects like Insects are tough, requiring you to constantly make height adjustments and changing angles.

For me, Macro photograpy has become one of the most rewarding and fun hobbies. There is a whole new world out there that most never see with the naked eye and the best thing is, there is an endless supply of subjects.

enjoy

bazza · Sep 20, 2007

TCimages said:
There is a whole new world out there that most never see with the naked eye and the best thing is, there is an endless supply of subjects.

I totally agree. When you get close to an everyday insect it looks so different.
May start with still objects like flowers to practice my DoF.

Ps.. Was only kidding about my net, wouldn't dream of harming anything.. Practice is whats needed..

Thanks for all the info

Another question, Do you guys use auto or manual focus to take these amazing shots??

TCimages · Sep 20, 2007

bazza said:
I totally agree. When you get close to an everyday insect it looks so different.
May start with still objects like flowers to practice my DoF.

Ps.. Was only kidding about my net, wouldn't dream of harming anything.. Practice is whats needed..

Thanks for all the info

Another question, Do you guys use auto or manual focus to take these amazing shots??

re: Focus - I use both Auto and Manual, but I have an opinion on manual while hand holding or shooting moving subjects...It's like using the One Shot mode in Auto, once you get the focus locked, it's so easy to move out of focus before you depress the shutter. The DOF is so thin that even the slightest movement will move your focus point. I highly recommend Auto Focus in AI Servo mode. This mode doesn't allow for you to re-frame your subject, so you may have to use focus lock to re-frame, but with the focus locked, you're back to square one. I've found that I normally crop to some degree anyway so thats how I frame the subject.

Hope this was helpful