First macro shots

[kshotton45]

These are some of my first attempts at Macro. What do you think - Rubbish ??!!
I've got to find a better technique when handholding! I may try some with a tripod. Still it's been fun. I think this Macro thing could become addictive!
The lens is a Sigma 150mm f2.8.

Keith.

[Ollie]

Definitely not rubbish Keith.
I would say they were great photos esecially for hand holding and I would be well pleased with them. I would most certainly use a tripod or at least a monopod with the 150mm. I have the 150mm and its a fair weight to hand hold. I certainly get the best results from it on a tripod. It's a cracking lens and you are right about macro being addictive.
I look forward to seeing more of your shots
Roger

[kshotton45]

Originally Posted by Ollie

Definitely not rubbish Keith.
I would say they were great photos esecially for hand holding and I would be well pleased with them. I would most certainly use a tripod or at least a monopod with the 150mm. I have the 150mm and its a fair weight to hand hold. I certainly get the best results from it on a tripod. It's a cracking lens and you are right about macro being addictive.
I look forward to seeing more of your shots
Roger

Well thanks! I know what you mean about the weight! I'm trying to find out how to get them pin sharp, like most of the pics on here. Practise and more practice I think. I think I could sharpen them with a bit of flash, but todays been a bright day so I didn't use it.

Keith.

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by kshotton45

Well thanks! I know what you mean about the weight! I'm trying to find out how to get them pin sharp, like most of the pics on here. Practise and more practice I think. I think I could sharpen them with a bit of flash, but todays been a bright day so I didn't use it.

Keith.

I most definitely think that if you use some kind of support Keith any sharpness problem would disappear, besides I can't see much wrong with sharpness of the ones you have posted. It's DOF that I usually have problems with, but then again that's normall when you are getting in close anyway.
Roger

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by kshotton45

Well thanks! I know what you mean about the weight! I'm trying to find out how to get them pin sharp, like most of the pics on here. Practise and more practice I think. I think I could sharpen them with a bit of flash, but todays been a bright day so I didn't use it.

Keith.

I wouldn't let the fact it was a bright day stop me from using flash! I often find it's at these times when a bit of flash is needed, to lift shadow areas of the image. I can see you were really experimenting by the EXIF info, which is good. How you managed to get that spider with a 1/6sec shutter speed is amazing!

[galanthus]

[quote=kshotton45;167057]These are some of my first attempts at Macro. What do you think - Rubbish ??!!
I've got to find a better technique when handholding! I may try some with a tripod. Still it's been fun. I think this Macro thing could become addictive!
QUOTE]


I think they're great shots. Espcially brave approaching the wasp

[pressld2]

Some lovely shots there Keith, the wasp is my favourite. Love the way the colour of the leaf complements the yellow of the wasp and the background is beautifully clean.

Agree with you and Ollie about the addictive nature of macro - I haven't taken my 150 off the camera for over a fortnight now!

Dave P.

[kshotton45]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I wouldn't let the fact it was a bright day stop me from using flash! I often find it's at these times when a bit of flash is needed, to lift shadow areas of the image. I can see you were really experimenting by the EXIF info, which is good. How you managed to get that spider with a 1/6sec shutter speed is amazing!

The Spider was more by luck than judgement! I took about 20 shots of it and I was resting my hand for this one! I've got a fair few to look through to see which settings worked best, mainly Wasps! Just the other side of the fence, my neighbour has a Wasps nest, I tested my theory out, that as long as they don't feel threatened, they don't sting! It worked so far, I was there for about two hours and there were hundreds!
I'm a bit miffed that through adjusting settings and positioning etc, I missed a Speckled Wood - again practise and more practise.
I never knew that Wasps were so hairy!
Here's a fly, nothing special, but the detail you see is quite surprising.
One thing I've found, when I print them out, they're sharper than my LCD monitor. I use an Epson Photo 890 to print them.



Keith.

[Mr Mag00]

having never used a macro lens and thinking about one, how far from the subject are you?

[kshotton45]

Originally Posted by Mr Mag00

having never used a macro lens and thinking about one, how far from the subject are you?

The Sigma 150mm f2.8 Macro Should focus down to 15 inches. Which seems pretty good for a 150mm lens. I think you can get nearer with a set of tubes.
I think someone else will give you a more detailed answer. This is the forum to ask about Macro ! It's full of experienced macroists ( is that a word ? ) .
Have a look at Grahams post number 27 on the 'Ring flash' thread. It's stunning!
If I could convince myself that I could come anywhere close to that, then I already know what this years Christmas present will be !!

Keith.