macro focus issue

[Sloseph]

Hi all

i took this last weekend i just thought you guys might be able to give me a bit of advice

i was wandering around and noticed this flower behind my house



i recently purchased a set of macro filters which i have found quite good but i can't seem to get a decent focus as you can see it seem to either be the stem or the petals, never both

is there something im doing wrong or is this due to the limitations of the macro filters

thanks

Exif data is

Camera Canon EOS 1000D
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/3.2
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Fired
Metering Mode Center-weighted average
Lens EF50mm f/1.8 II

thanks

[RichardTaylor]

The depth of field, zone of sharpness, at very close distances is extremely thin. like around 1mm
Shoot at F16-F22 and you will have more but not a lot. Like maybe 3-4mm

Examples

(1) At minimum focussing distance with a +4 dioptre lens on a 135mm lens.


Camera Canon EOS 350D Digital
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/16.0
Focal Length 135 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Fired

(2) With a +3 dioptre lens and F22 on a 135mm lens.

Camera Canon EOS 350D Digital
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/22.0
Focal Length 135 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV

[Sloseph]

ah ok i see thats great

thanks for your help, i will give this another go on saterday and post the results

[chicagojohn]

Originally Posted by Sloseph

ah ok i see thats great

thanks for your help, i will give this another go on saterday and post the results

Obviously Richard Taylor is right-on in his advice as shown by his examples which are fabulous!

I just wanted to say, though, that I think a lot has to do with ones intent. With reference to your image, I have to say that I like it a lot as is, although I haven't put it into PS to see exactly how in-focus the pistol is.

But, as I am sure Richard Taylor would agree, there are times you might want to open up your aperture as you have here to create an image such as you have which emphasizes the pistol and puts the remainder in a background bokeh.

I actually think your image is brilliant, now that I look at it again. I love the color contrast and how it is supported by the focus. It is truly beautiful.

Furthermore, to supplement what Richard Taylor said, I think he would agree that to get the most out of the depth of field you have to work with, however much that is, you should consider the angle you are shooting at. Obviously, the more planar or flat your subject is, the less depth of field will be required to optimize focus.... if that is your objective !

But your image shows how that principle can be turned around -- here you have shot the subject so as to minimize DoF and to achieve bokeh in all areas except the pistol.

Take from this what you will, but I'm just saying that sometimes one can use disadvantes to ones advantage, as I see you having done in your very, very nice image here.

[dvtldav]

On macro & close up shots try manual focusing as it gives you a little more latitude when focusing.

Dave

[Sloseph]

thanks John that is very kind

if you zoom in the pistol is ever so slightly out of focus but i think a slightly wider apature would have sorted that out

unfortunatly i went to try again on saterday and it was gone but alas its spring time now which gives plenty more time to practise

[Jo.T]

use single focal point as well, you can move the focal point to where you would like it to be sharpest(always eyes for insects,animals ect). As a general rule you will get 1/3 in front and 2/3 behind in focus with macro that can be only a few mm, the further you get back from a subject the more DOF you will get, then crop the image later in pp.