Any Tips??

[unforcederror]

Hellow

I bought myself a new lens today, a Tamron 55-200mm LD Macro.

Anyone have the same lens? Is this lens suited for shooting macro? I bought the lens generally because I wanted a greater zoom and the price was right!

[NaturesPixel]

ok lets say i wouldn't be happy with this lens.. as i like to get as close as possible.. with a 1:1 ratio (life size).. this lens can get to 1:3 ratio and i have had no experience with this lens... but that being said... if you are going to be shooting macro with this lens.. try using a tripod.. i know i have to with my 70-300 1:2 macro lens if you are wanting to get in closer than 1:3 i suggest using some extension tubes explained in this thread >>Extension tubes
Certainly cheaper than getting another lens at this time and it does produce very nice images i would class as being macro i hope this helps some and that i haven't confused you even more ...lol

[unforcederror]

Damn, I can't seem to focus on anything! It's really frustrating... Need to learn how to handle this lens... Any tips?

[PnwGuy]

Originally Posted by unforcederror

Damn, I can't seem to focus on anything! It's really frustrating... Need to learn how to handle this lens... Any tips?

Have you tried manual focus?

[Saralonde]

Are you too close? Try backing up a little. Do you have enough light? I have a sigma 70-300 macro. I don't know how similar it is to your lens. It takes a basic macro shot, but it will hunt if the conditions aren't right.

[Digidave]

Originally Posted by unforcederror

Damn, I can't seem to focus on anything! It's really frustrating... Need to learn how to handle this lens... Any tips?

Somewhere in the lens' owners manual, it should tell you what the closest distance to the object that you can be & still get a good focus. Also, with a long lens, you definitely need a tripod to prevent any movement. Use the timer, so you click the shutter release & let go of the camera, & then just wait for it to go off.

[unforcederror]

The manual says 0.95m (at least I think that's what you meant) I've tried it in manual focus, but I think it just needs lots of light. How can you tell how much light a certain lens needs?

[Rommel]

Some quick notes on macro shots. As NaturesPixel mentioned, you need a 1:1 ratio for true macro work. However you can still get some good results with 1:2 or even 1:3. I will tell you that zoom factor doesn't add magnification whatsoever in macro. What it does determine is the working distance from the subject. For example, a 105mm macro lens (1:1) or a 50mm macro lens (1:1) will both bring you in just as close to your subject, however the 105mm will let you keep your camera significantly further from your subject. In your case, you need to be at least 3 ft. (0.95m) from the subject - anything closer than that and it cannot focus. Try it on objects a bit further away at first (say 5-6 ft/~2m)) and then work closer as you try and get a handle on the distance.

To autofocus properly, the light will be an issue. You can try opening your aperture or adding more light. With the macro shots I have taken, I usually need a lot of light - especially for indoor shots or deeper depth of field. At first I was placing a light near the subject, now I am using a remote flash. If you want to get in closer than 1:3 with your lens you will need to either add extension tubes or bellows to increase the ratio.

Finally I would suggest practicing first on something easy and controlled - i.e. something in your own home where you can control the light, the object won't move, etc. As Digidave said, a tripod and either a timer or remote release are essential.

[inkista]

Everybody's given great advice, I just wanted to add focus stacking to the list of tools out there to help with macro shots. Macro shooters use it the way landscape photographers use HDR.

[yokolok]

if you are keeping the right distance, say the 0.95m as per the manual, it might not only be due to a lack of light, but also to a lack of contrast between the object you are focussing on and the background...the camera is trying to locate a point of focus...and if there is no contrast it will hunt - just like focussing on a plain white wall...