First attemps at macro

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by wildlifesnapper

Hi Jonathan,

nice shots for first attempts at macro.

I would stick to using a tripod and manual focus for plant close-ups.

The problem with autofocus(with macro) is that the camera will focus where it wants to and and not where you want to.You can guarantee that when you compose the photo a focus point isn't on the bit you want to focus on.

neil

For macro I set the focus point on my camera to only use the single, red dot in the centre of the viewfinder. Not sure if every camera has this option but the 30d does. This works very well for small subjects such as insects. I haven't really tried it for larger stuff such as flowers but as the depth of field is tiny when using macro I don't suppose it would make much difference.

I haven't yet used a tripod for macro but when I do I'll give the manual focus method a try.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

For macro I set the focus point on my camera to only use the single, red dot in the centre of the viewfinder. Not sure if every camera has this option but the 30d does. This works very well for small subjects such as insects. I haven't really tried it for larger stuff such as flowers but as the depth of field is tiny when using macro I don't suppose it would make much difference.

I haven't yet used a tripod for macro but when I do I'll give the manual focus method a try.

that works okay so long as you want the subject in the centre of your shot , however if you are composing on the rule of thirds you will want it off set - most DLRS can cope with that but even then you may well want it somewhere that there isnt a focus point

you can of course lock the focus and recompose but that doesnt work very well if the subject is moving

[richardkm]

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

For macro I set the focus point on my camera to only use the single, red dot in the centre of the viewfinder. Not sure if every camera has this option but the 30d does. This works very well for small subjects such as insects. I haven't really tried it for larger stuff such as flowers but as the depth of field is tiny when using macro I don't suppose it would make much difference.

I haven't yet used a tripod for macro but when I do I'll give the manual focus method a try.

I agree that manual focus is far better for macro work with plants. It's necessary to choose the correct point of focus to maximise depth of field. Using the centre AF focus point may mean that the plane of focus is either well back or too far forward to give the best dof (remember that in close-up work, dof is split equally in front of and behind the plane of focus). Choose a point mid way between the nearest and furthest point that you want in focus, then use the stop-down button to check whether all is in focus, if not, stop down until it is - this is why a tripod is best for close-up plant photography. At least the subject doesn't run/crawl/fly/slither away. Using a tripod also means that once set up, you can wait until the subject stops moving - which it will do occasionally in all but the hardest of winds - before pressing the remote release. Oh yes, did I mention the benifit of a remote release?

[richardkm]

Just for interest, here are a couple of pics demonstrating depth of field at different settings. Both were taken using a Rollei 6006 medium format SLR with a 120 macro lens mounted on a bellows and set to give 1:1 on the original transparency.

The first is at f5.6



and this at f22



This is an old ruler - it's in inches, whatever they are!

[jonhawkins]

Originally Posted by wildlifesnapper

Hi Jonathan,

nice shots for first attempts at macro.

I would stick to using a tripod and manual focus for plant close-ups.

neil

Using manual focus seems a good idea as auto focus did give me a number of duds!

Jonathan

[jonhawkins]

Originally Posted by eeyore

one trick i have found useful is to use the triple burst mode , since macro Dof can be very small it only takes a fraction of movent by yourself or the subject to render the important parts out of focus and burst mode helps maximise the chancxes that at least one shot will have the right bits sharp

One advantage of digital, you can afford to fire off a quick burst. Will give this a try next time to see how it works out for me.

Jonathan

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by jonhawkins

One advantage of digital, you can afford to fire off a quick burst. Will give this a try next time to see how it works out for me.

Jonathan

Conversely if you're using a tripod and your subject is still, you could also think about using mirror-lockup mode. I've not used it myself and I'm not sure if it would make any difference these days but it is supposed to be a macro technique. The idea is to get rid of any vibration caused by the mirror 'slamming' into position immediately before the shutter is released.

[eeyore]

my understanding of that is that it is more a landscape photographers technique for long exposures (which might be an issue in macro if you are using a very small aperture) - you dont need it if the speed is at about 1/60 or more

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

I use mirror lock (with cable release) a lot, even over 1/60 sec. if the subject is still.
The less vibration the better.
It's even more important with flowers & fungi when you are using slow shutter speeds with small apatures.

Just don't forget the tripod

neil

[pressld2]

I always use manual focus for macro shots. Then I set the lens at the closest possible focus and, whether hand-held or tripod, I move the camera in or out until the subject is sharp. Still get a fair number of duds though, especially when shooting outside as the slightest breeze can throw everything out.

Dave P.