New lens advice

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by leifus

....I also bought a small tripod which should come in handy

Hi leifus,

Don't just think that your tripod is something which might come in handy.

Treat it as a very essential part of your macro set up. - If you get into the routine of using the tripod every time, you will soon be seeing far better end result images.

Using a tripod really does focus your attention on to the composition of the subject. It makes you take the time to consider what the final image is going to look like. It helps you to frame the image properly and ensure that you haven't missed off the edge of a leaf, or some other vital element of your proposed pic. It makes you take photo's and not snapshots.

Best of all, it lets you use much slower exposure times than you would otherwise be able to handle. This means that you can increase your f numbers to give a better depth of field and get more of that subject in focus.

It really is a no-brainer. With macro, (and I'm talking about flower & fungi pics. here, not skittish things like insects etc.), - if you've got a tripod use it every time.

One final thing. Just to get the absolute best when using a tripod, always trip your shutter with a remote control, a cable release, or the camera's in-built self timer. That way you will completely avoid the possibility of camera shake which you could get from pressing the shutter button.

Best of luck & looking forward to seeing some of your world beaters.

EDIT - Just another thought. If your lens has manual focus facility, I would suggest giving that a good trial. I find that manual focussing gives much more fine control over the exact plane of focus - and is just as fast as autofocus, if not faster.

Regards
Mike.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

It really is a no-brainer, with macro, (and I'm talking about flower & fungi pics. here, not skittish things like insects etc.), - if you've got a tripod use it every time.

This all applies just as well to insects as well though - whenever it is possible! If you take care you can usually move in close to resting or feeding insects, and with practice will find you can position a tripod as well. The main problem is usually that while you try and position the tripod you cause the vegetation near the insect to move and its off like a shot. I take a few shots first (using the tripod like a monopod, with the legs together) and then try and set the tripod up properly without causing disturbance.

Roy.

[leifus]

Originally Posted by Maccattack1

Excellent choice - very sharp lens - autofocus is slow but use manual focus for orchids and you'll get great images .

Malcolm

thanks I'm really looking forward to trying it out tomorrow

[leifus]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

you lucky thing I am in the sunny realm of half eaten bread, smelly coffee and washing up fun tomorrow and the same on Sunday. but I do get the next 3 weeks off

ahaaa have fun mate!! 3 weeks....sounds like fun I have this next week at school, then half term, then exams

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by leifus

ahaaa have fun mate!! 3 weeks....sounds like fun I have this next week at school, then half term, then exams

this weekend at work - monday off - tuesday exam - weds & thurs off - fri exam, that weekend ADDERS and no work for a change Then that full week off. I can't wait - birds nest, slipper, fly, greater and lesser butterfly orchid, deadly nightshade, burnt tip orchid, shrubby cinquefoil, spring gentian and many many more

sorry for messing up the thread. theres some good advice on here

[leifus]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

this weekend at work - monday off - tuesday exam - weds & thurs off - fri exam, that weekend ADDERS and no work for a change Then that full week off. I can't wait - birds nest, slipper, fly, greater and lesser butterfly orchid, deadly nightshade, burnt tip orchid, shrubby cinquefoil, spring gentian and many many more

sorry for messing up the thread. theres some good advice on here

you luuucky thing

[KeenTeen17]

I'll still be very jealous when you get those orchids tomorrow

you just wait until I get the LSO

[kiff]

Originally Posted by leifus

Thanks very much to everyone who has given me advice I really appreciate it! I have gone with the Tamron 90mm having tried it out in the shop (although he was really nice and said I can try it on flowers and if it doesnt work then I can take it back ) - it seems a very good lens and I'll try it on the orchids tomorrow again, thanks to everyone

Leifus

It is a nice lens and it's what I'm using

here are some photos I have taken with it all hand-held (except the fungi) no flash used on any of them

[leifus]

Originally Posted by kiff

It is a nice lens and it's what I'm using

here are some photos I have taken with it all hand-held (except the fungi) no flash used on any of them

brilliant photos Keith!