First Venture into Field of Macro

[big bill]

Hi Folks thought i would take the step out of normal life and venture into macro photography as I got a Sigma 70-300 mm lens with macro at 200 -300mm ,here are my first samples I think I know were I am going wrong .
Ornamental Cherry Blossom

exposure details f5.6 @ 1/800s iso 100 lens at 300mm on macro setting


again same settings above except lens at 190mm


Here I change to f16 @1/125s iso 100 190mm macro setting

Chives

f16@1/30s iso 100 190mm

the first pics I dont semm to have depth in the flower heads due to the f5.6 setting as in f16 I seem to have better detail I stand to be corrected if wrong a tripod was used throughout

[triops]

Welcome to the field of macro! And you're not doing anything wrong. You have the same detail in all the pics, just a greater depth of field at f16. It's always interesting to take a complete series changing the aperture on each pic to see how the dof changes with aperture. And, of course, with digital it's no longer an expensive experiment! You do realise, of course, that with macro as well as all the other aspects of pohotography that you will NEVER (well, almost never) be completely satisfied with your results. Have lots of fun!

[UB4 gardener]

I'm new to this world and i also warn you, you'll not look at the world the same way once you start looking into the "small" world. i bought a a lumic fz38 and a couple of raynox lenses and it is astounding what we walk past on a daily basis.





i know they are far from perfect, but i tell what, i've had a great time taking them (which is what i bought them for). have fun.

Chris

[Geoff F]

As you say, Bill, you need a narrow aperture for this sort of thing; but beware of going too small as that can cause some softness. Somewhere around F14 usually works well.

When shooting in the wild, wind rock on your subject can be a problem so I would advise using a suitable shutter speed, say 1/200 or thereabouts. You can easily increase the ISO to suit and you shouldn't have any serious problems at ISO 400.

Correct colour is another potential problem so if you get difficulties, try setting a Custom White Balance and avoid direct sunlight.

If necessary, try using flash. A proper external unit is best but I have had reasonable results from just the pop up flash. But you may need to remove the lens hood if it causes a shadow.

And from a purely photographic viewpoint, I would say that those shots are cropped a little bit too tight. Just a little bit of 'border' space will make them look more natural.

If you get tempted to try those small insects, adding an extension tube will get you a bit closer. I would recommend a 25 mm tube. There are a couple of slight downsides but I found this worked reasonably well with my Canon 70-300.

[big bill]

Thanks guys for the tips ,was bored in the garden the other day so thought I would give it a go and was amazed it really was an eye opener so looking for my next subjects

[Tricia]

I didn't have much luck with this lens but, you seem to be doing very well with it. Macro photography is fascinating.

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by big bill

Thanks guys for the tips ,was bored in the garden the other day so thought I would give it a go and was amazed it really was an eye opener so looking for my next subjects

I use the Sigma 70-300 Bill and find it very versatile, I bought a Sigma 105Macro lens and Kenko Auto tubes but still find I tend to pick up the 70-300
Nice photos, there is a lot of challenging stuff out there, Spiders, Seeds, Moths and Butterflies, feathers, insect eyes .......

[timmypreston]

I have just started to get into Macro too, there is a whole different world down there!





Tim

[Geoff F]

Just remember, taking the shots is tricky - but identifying the little critters . . .