First attemps at macro

[jonhawkins]

These are a couple of photos taken yesterday, the first time I have tried seriously using my Sigma 150mm




The first is as taken, the violet has been cropped and a tiny bit of sharpening added. These were taken at about mid day on a tripod. Focus was auto as I had not got my correct glasses with me, only prescription sunglasses! (Must try harder!)

Any advice on improved technique appreciated.

Jonathan

[richardkm]

Lovely shots.

Can't you adjust the dioptre on your viewfinder so that you don't need your specs?

If you have an external flashgun, try giving a dab of fill-in flash, just adds a bit of sparkle.

[BillyPilgrim]

Hi John,
nice results. I bought a Sigma 180mm macro lens last year and have been very pleased with it.

I haven't mounted it on a tripod yet as I like to shoot insects and they don't tend to wait around too long.

Maybe this is a standard technique(?) but one thing I did find useful for hand-held shots is to set the focussing to 'A1 Servo'. This is meant to be used for moving images but I find that close-in, hand-held macro amounts to the same thing in a way because whilst the subject is probably still the lens (at least in my hands) is always moving slightly and this setting ensures that focussing is set the moment before the shutter is released. Even with this method I still only get around 1 in 30-50 'keeper' shots!

The link should take you to one of the shots that I took last summer using the above method.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...age-24124.html

Good luck!

[goosey]

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

Hi John,
nice results. I bought a Sigma 180mm macro lens last year and have been very pleased with it.

I haven't mounted it on a tripod yet as I like to shoot insects and they don't tend to wait around too long.

Maybe this is a standard technique(?) but one thing I did find useful for hand-held shots is to set the focussing to 'A1 Servo'. This is meant to be used for moving images but I find that close-in, hand-held macro amounts to the same thing in a way because whilst the subject is probably still the lens (at least in my hands) is always moving slightly and this setting ensures that focussing is set the moment before the shutter is released. Even with this method I still only get around 1 in 30-50 'keeper' shots!

The link should take you to one of the shots that I took last summer using the above method.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...age-24124.html

Good luck!

Hello Billy, I don't think we have met before so I will take this chance to say hello and welcome to WAB Very good macro shot of yor blue bottle by the way. I have spent ages this morning taking insect photo's and out of 66 pics only found 3 worth keeping Oh well it's another excuse not to do any house work and go outside again .

[jonhawkins]

Originally Posted by richardkm

Lovely shots.

Can't you adjust the dioptre on your viewfinder so that you don't need your specs?

If you have an external flashgun, try giving a dab of fill-in flash, just adds a bit of sparkle.

Not having had to wear glasses all the time until recently, I am still finding my way. I had not thought to set the dioptre. Thanks for the prompt.

I only have the built in flash at present, have spent too much already, so maybe next birthday.

Jonathan

[jonhawkins]

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

Maybe this is a standard technique(?) but one thing I did find useful for hand-held shots is to set the focussing to 'A1 Servo'. This is meant to be used for moving images but I find that close-in, hand-held macro amounts to the same thing in a way because whilst the subject is probably still the lens (at least in my hands) is always moving slightly and this setting ensures that focussing is set the moment before the shutter is released. Even with this method I still only get around 1 in 30-50 'keeper' shots!

Nice photo, thanks for the idea of using A1 Servo. Will give that a try next time.

Jonathan

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by goosey

Hello Billy, I don't think we have met before so I will take this chance to say hello and welcome to WAB Very good macro shot of yor blue bottle by the way. I have spent ages this morning taking insect photo's and out of 66 pics only found 3 worth keeping Oh well it's another excuse not to do any house work and go outside again .

Cheers Goosey!

I've been a member for a few months now but haven't been around for a while as I don't do much photography during the winter.

Nice website by the way.

[richardkm]

Hi

I don't think you have anything to complain about, a very creditable first attempt. Have a look at the first close-up that I took:



Just about everything that could be wrong is wrong . I was so disappointed that I attended courses on photography and, as this pic kindled my interest in wild plants, on flower identification. 22 years later (whew, I just realised how old this pic is!) I'm still learning. I'm booked on a bryophyte course with the FSC later this year. Oh my brain WILL hurt.

[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

[eeyore]

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

I tend to agree with neil, I only use af with subjects that are moving such as flowers moving in the wind, d/flys in flight etc, or with subjects which might disapear at any time such as perched hoverflies etc. For stationary subjects MF is the way to go

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