Canon EF100mm f/2.8

[RLMPhotography]

I got the above mentioned lense for christmas, and just experimenting with it to see how it all works etc. I have noticed that photos can be quite pixelated / noisy. Can you please let me know what I am doing incorrect. As I have had others that a are nice and sharp. One of the biggest issues I am finding with this lense it that it is exteremly light on the camera and I am finding difficult to hold steady. (reference I have a Canon 500D), the main lense I use is the 24-105 f/4 L IS, which provides you with that extra stability.

Comments / advice would be greatly appreicated.

I personally dont mind the photo, however I would have preferred it to be sharper, note I did increase the f/stop however without success.

Thank you
Renai

[Tzetsin]

The critique forum rules require that you post your exif data, along with a specific question. You got the question, now we just need the exif data.

In this case, I really do need the exif data to track down the issue, but without that, I'll just have to guess that you screwed something up in post.

Please put up an un edited shot as well as your exif and we'll see if we cant solve the problem.

[inkista]

ISO setting and shutter speed were both high, and the image is underexposed.

You've got more than enough room on both the shutter speed and iso to move the aperture to something sharper that will give you more DoF (say, f/8).

Date Time Original 2012:01:08 16:32:09
Exposure Time 1/3200
F Number 2.8
ISO Speed Ratings 1600
Flash Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length 100
White Balance Manual white balance
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 500D

[RLMPhotography]

My apologies for not putting in the correct information - first post. Thank you for the time in replying. I have included the required details below:


Camera model: Canon EOS 500D
F-stop: f/2.8
Exposure time: 1/3200 sec
ISO: 1600
White balance: Daylight
Flash: Off
AF Mode: One Shot AF
Picture Style: Landscape
Sharpness: 4

Thank you again, all feedback is greatly appreicated.

[RLMPhotography]

Unedited shot attached.

[Annwen]

Hi Renai,

Welcome to the world of Macro, the 100mm 2.8 is an excellent lens, congratulations.
You may need to explore a tutorial or more on Macro

What works for me

Tripod/Monopod - because of shallow DOF, smallness of object, handheld is very hard to do without any shake.
Manual focus - allows you to focus on the area you want the sharpest, eg eyes, stamen etc.
Increase you DOF to 8+ so more of what you are focussing on is clear.

Hope this helps, beware Macro is addictive

[cyber3d]

Curious. Why did you shoot at such a high ISO? And why did you feel the need to shoot at such a high shutter speed? If you chose the shutter speed to reduce blur - that's not the way to go with Macro shots. Macro shooting by its nature requires that you lock that camera down somehow and shoot at a reasonable speed. Aperture control is paramount to get a good shot. IMO.

[RLMPhotography]

Thank you for feedback and comments I will look into further.
To put your curiosity at ease, simple answer is I am just learning and experimenting.

I think I will need to invest into monopod as tripods are a bit more fiddly to set up for those "quicker" shots.

Appreciate feedback - happy shooting to all

[cyber3d]

I think you'll find a tripod a much better choice for macro shots. Because of the tiny depth of field when shooting macro even the slightest forward/backward movement will kill your shot. Monopods will not help you. Only a tripod or other "fixed" mount will do.