Quick Tips for Macro Photography-- Please Contribute

[navsalkarmv]

I have recently purchased canon 100 mm macro -2.8- IS - USM lens for my camera Canon 450 D (Rebel XSi ) and am happy to have it. But since I am new to this photography , I am facing few problems. I am looking for the solutions for these issues:

I tried to take some close ups of small insects but could not get them as a clear objects in the photographs. Its just not sharp enough.

Is the external flash must for macro photography ?

Since I have 100 mm lens, I have an advantage of shooting from a distance . But then if i shoot a small object , I will need to crop the most part to get the better close up . But I may loose the sharpness in this case.

Needs guidence on these aspects :

[Bluenoser]

Could you post some examples of what you've gotten thus far?

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by navsalkarmv

Is the external flash must for macro photography ?

No but a steady camera is.

If planning to learn to learn about macro photography techniques I'd suggest starting with the basics by using available light on static subjects and the camera on a tripod. You don't even have to leave the house to practice this technique!

A lens cap will do as a test subject....start off with it a few metres away and see if you can set the aperture and focus distance so that the depth of field gets the lens cap sharp but everything in front and behind out of focus. For distance work like that you'll probably need to focus part way into the area you want sharp and not stop down too much. As you move the lens cap closer to the camera you should notice that you need to stop down further to get the same effect.

With practice this technique can give you a sound understanding of how to control DoF and what your lens is capable of with good camera technique.

If you want to get out and about to try it I find mushrooms make excellent subjects:


I also used the same technique for this (one of my favourites from last year):

[navsalkarmv]

Thanks for your valuable inputs

[LeeR]

When I was a boy my dad used to get a new car evey year. (His best friend owned a dealership.) Every year he would come home and take us boys out for a spin to "see what it could do." I would suggest you do the same with your new toy. Take it out on the road; burn some rubber, clean out the carborator. The goal here is to learn what it is capable of, and where its lmitations are. Macro is a whole other world. It is right there and yet most of us never take the time to look at it. Exploring it with your new lens should be a lot of fun.

[antwest]

Altho alluded to by daft biker, a tripod is a MUST. The other two important tips I can give are

1. Use a remote switch to prevent any motion caused by pressing the shutter release
2. Use mirror lock-up - check your camera's handbook.

These will make a huge difference to the results

I'm in full agreement with LeeR - go out there and take many pics - practise makes perfect

[navsalkarmv]

Originally Posted by LeeR

When I was a boy my dad used to get a new car evey year. (His best friend owned a dealership.) Every year he would come home and take us boys out for a spin to "see what it could do." I would suggest you do the same with your new toy. Take it out on the road; burn some rubber, clean out the carborator. The goal here is to learn what it is capable of, and where its lmitations are. Macro is a whole other world. It is right there and yet most of us never take the time to look at it. Exploring it with your new lens should be a lot of fun.

thanks lee for the valuable inputs. I am learning it by exploring various locations indoor as well as outdoors. As you said, its really fun.

[JeffSmith]

This is a stunning lens and the sharpness is unbelieveable, you might find some useful info on this thread which I started before I bought this lens:

http://digital-photography-school.co...acro-lens.html

[RichardTaylor]

In line with the previous posts.
A tripod & remote release helps a lot.

(1)

Seen in our front yard.
Canon 350D (Rebel XT) with Tokina 100mm F2.8 Macro lens.
ISO 400 1/6@F22 Natural light, tripod.


(2) Again with a tripod and remote release. In our back yard
Shot in daylight with off camera external diffused flash to provide light and kill the messy background. (the 1/200 @ F29 does that)

Camera: Canon EOS 350D Digital
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/29.0
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired

[navsalkarmv]

this is my first insect photograpgy ..a housefly !
Unfortunately It hasnot come that good due to poor light ...