not a dedicated macro

[cristen]

i don't know if this qualifies in this thread. i don't own a dedicated macro, so i took this shot of a spider in my garden using inverted kit lens. i have to move the cam to achieve focus. hence, EXIF data may not work here. Anyway, here's what i got from the properties:
Canon EOS 500 D
f stop: f/100
exposure time: f/25 secs
ISO: 100
Flash fired

Editing was limited to cropping, and brightness adjustments only. I am seriously considering a close up filter/lens like 250D so maybe i could come up with better shots. your comments on all aspects are welcome.

[chicagojohn]

Originally Posted by cristen

i don't know if this qualifies in this thread. i don't own a dedicated macro, so i took this shot of a spider in my garden using inverted kit lens. i have to move the cam to achieve focus. hence, EXIF data may not work here. Anyway, here's what i got from the properties:
Canon EOS 500 D
f stop: f/100
exposure time: f/25 secs
ISO: 100
Flash fired

Editing was limited to cropping, and brightness adjustments only. I am seriously considering a close up filter/lens like 250D so maybe i could come up with better shots. your comments on all aspects are welcome.

As someone who borders on aracnophobia, I almost wish this wasn't a macro!

Some relatively inexpensive ways to get better close ups include a set of "extention tubes" which move your lens further from the focal plane. You usually get three so you can combine them in various combinations to get corresponding sizes of the image to focus upon your sensor. You focus by moving the camera and lens relative to the subject.

Another way is to get some magnifying filters that screw on to the UV filter I imagine you have protecting your lens. I have a set that has 1X, 2X, 4X and 10X magnification. These work well by acting like a magnifying glass.

The thing I've struggled with with macro photography is the narrow depth of field, and I think your best tool there is to use a small aperture, making trade-offs in exposure (tripod) and sensitivity (higher ISO).

I think the above would be a good, low-cost way to experiment with close-up photography, and later on, especially if you also get into portrait photography, you might want to consider a 1:1 macro lens at 100mm, but that will cost as much as a lot of DSLR cameras or more.

Anyway, thanks for posting your image, even though I'm probably going to have trouble sleeping tonight.

[cristen]

that is one ugly spider up close. but it's really so tiny, chicagojohn. sorry if it caused you one sleepless night.

i've been reading your comments on other posts, as well, and you really give sound advice. you are into technical details and they are so helpful to newbies like me ('though i am finding it quite hard to grasp everything. lol)

i have ordered one close up lens from canon and i hope to get it by next week. it's the cheapest thing for me as of now... extension tubes are expensive as well... but a dedicated macro? yes, you're right.. it costs just as much as a new dslr camera... way way way out of my reach...

thanks for taking time....