Macro Photography versus 35mm fixed focal

[Thomasng]

Recently, I purchased an SAL50m28. I noticed it very difficult to focus a closeup shot at 2.8 without using a tripod. If I narrow down the aperture to 3.5, the shot would look normal as using other lenses. How best to make use of this macro lens?I've also bought an SAL35m18. I used it mainly for low light photography example within shopping malls and also at night bazaar. Is it right to use it at 1.4 for all snap shots? Anyone can advise?

 

[tirediron]

The difficulty you're having is a result of the fact that depth of (The amount of the picture that is in sharp focus) varies with the aperture. Using a large aperture (small f#; eg. f1.4) you have a very shallow depth of field. Depending on how close your camera is to the subject, you deth of field could be as little as a few inches. Typicaly, even if a lens will open to f1.4, it performs best a few stops down from that (eg f2.8 - f4). Shooting wide open with any lens, and especially a fast lens (lenses with large maximum apertures such as 1.4 are referred to as 'fast') can be very challenging since the shallow/narrow depth of field means that you must be dead on with your focus. When doing macro or other close-up work, using a tripod is very common, in fact, in many cases it's essential.

 

[D-B-J]

trolll?

 

[newb]

trolll?

How did you come to this conclusion?

 

[mjhoward]

Depending on how close your camera is to the subject, you deth of field could be as little as a few inches.

If it's truly macro, its more like a few millimeters.

 

[tirediron]

If it's truly macro, its more like a few millimeters.

True, to clarify: I was referring to the non-macro aspects.

 

[Overread36]

*Moving to Beginners forum"

trolll?

If you want to report suspect activity use the report post button not start slinging wild accusations at people.