Eye popping flower

[XSiRebelAddict]

I think this one came out pretty nice. I'm just playing around with a friend's extension tubes. This one was taken at 300mm with all three (68mm) extension tubes in the set.



The flower itself is less than an inch wide. What lens would I need in order to come out with something even close to this? I'm assuming a macro lens would give me much better DoF - there's maybe 1-2mm of depth in this image. It gets even worse at 70mm - but I can get into the center of the flower then...

I'd love any feedback you care to give.

Thanks!

[FocalFrenzy]

If you would care to give us the rest of your EXIF data, it would make it easier to calculate what you would need to get the same or better results. I, myself have never used extension tubes. My camera is a glorified point and shoot (Sony DSC-H1 without a removable lens). I've had pretty good results using the "Screw-on" close up lenses ($35.00 at Cord Camera). The DOF is somewhat limited, but you can extend this by using a smaller (Higher number) aperture setting on your camera. The shot you posted turned out nice. Hopefully someone else will be able to help answer your question, better than I have. Thanks for sharing your shot.

[XSiRebelAddict]

Originally Posted by FocalFrenzy

If you would care to give us the rest of your EXIF data, it would make it easier to calculate what you would need to get the same or better results.

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

Originally Posted by FocalFrenzy

The shot you posted turned out nice. Hopefully someone else will be able to help answer your question, better than I have. Thanks for sharing your shot.

Thanks!

I missed putting the EXIF in there the first time. Oops.

[Stryker]

If yuo want to get really close, then a macro lens is the best solution. I had the same question too, since I was using a 18-135 lens and I was not able to get close enough. Since I bought a 90mm 1:1 macro lens, things have been different. However, you should note that DoF on macro lenses, especially at 1:1, is razor thin even with small apertures and if you are expecting large DoFs from them you might end up being disappointed.

Take a look at my thread here discussing the same problem and many useful suggestions.

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by XSiRebelAddict

The flower itself is less than an inch wide. What lens would I need in order to come out with something even close to this? I'm assuming a macro lens would give me much better DoF - there's maybe 1-2mm of depth in this image. It gets even worse at 70mm - but I can get into the center of the flower then...

As you have found out the additional magnification you get from using extension tubes decreases as focal length increases (why you could get into the centre of the flower at 70mm).

A macro lens would not give better DoF - at the same magnification and the same aperture you would have exactly the same DoF. As magnification increases DoF decreases.

According to the chart in the manual of one of my macro lenses when shooting at 1:1 and fully stopped down to f/32 I can get 2.240mm in sharp focus....not a lot!

[XSiRebelAddict]

Thanks Stryker and daft_biker!