Macro photography-Help!
Jun 19, 2013 15:11:45 #
Hi! I have not been on this site in a while but you all have helped me numerous times and asking if someone could help me out here - I am a wedding photographer and usually have used my regular lens to try to capture wedding jewelry and details in the past, but wanted to improve my photos of rings.
After talking to many people I was told macro canon-compatible lens 105mm was good lens - it is 1:1 and is a Sigma lens, I now own it! But...my problem is, I have tried using it and using a smaller aperature of 5.6 or little more and even manual focus to try to get the details and using a spot focus, and still cannot seem to get a good clear shot of the ring each time. Many times it is out of focus-do I have to use a tripod-yuck! I will if I must - Is there something I am missing? Have goggled it and no luck with these videos - they dont get into the specifics. Would soooo appreciate any guidance any one can give and thanks for the help!!
After talking to many people I was told macro canon-compatible lens 105mm was good lens - it is 1:1 and is a Sigma lens, I now own it! But...my problem is, I have tried using it and using a smaller aperature of 5.6 or little more and even manual focus to try to get the details and using a spot focus, and still cannot seem to get a good clear shot of the ring each time. Many times it is out of focus-do I have to use a tripod-yuck! I will if I must - Is there something I am missing? Have goggled it and no luck with these videos - they dont get into the specifics. Would soooo appreciate any guidance any one can give and thanks for the help!!
Jun 19, 2013 15:17:31 #
debbiesweds wrote:
Hi! I have not been on this site in a while but yo... (show quote)
we could help better if you post some of the problem pictures so we can see what your talking about,
Jun 19, 2013 15:34:28 #
This seems like a topic for the true macro section of UHH. I am thinking that it may have to do with focal distance and/or camera shake.
Jun 19, 2013 15:45:00 #
Hi Debbie,
I have shot hundreds of rings with a macro lens. You need lots of light and a very high f-stop. Your best bet is to use a diffuser with direct sunlight, and f16 or higher.
Even with diffused light you may still get a glare. If you can't avoid the glare, try using a dark diffuser and reflected light.
I would set up a pillow in front of a tripod for the ring shot. The image stabilization will take care of camera shake most of the time, but with macro shots it doesn't help at all if the subject is shaking. Use a tripod and turn off image stabilization.
Try to manually focus on the jewelry even if the hands are not completely in focus. When using a camera without live focus take a few shots, focusing minimally in between and try out some focus stacking software.
Let us know how it turns out!
Mike
I have shot hundreds of rings with a macro lens. You need lots of light and a very high f-stop. Your best bet is to use a diffuser with direct sunlight, and f16 or higher.
Even with diffused light you may still get a glare. If you can't avoid the glare, try using a dark diffuser and reflected light.
I would set up a pillow in front of a tripod for the ring shot. The image stabilization will take care of camera shake most of the time, but with macro shots it doesn't help at all if the subject is shaking. Use a tripod and turn off image stabilization.
Try to manually focus on the jewelry even if the hands are not completely in focus. When using a camera without live focus take a few shots, focusing minimally in between and try out some focus stacking software.
Let us know how it turns out!
Mike
Jun 19, 2013 17:09:40 #
Using a tripod for shooting close-ups of rings is a must! You will need to use a small aperture (f16 or smaller) to get much of the ring in focus. However, with the small aperture comes the slow shutter speed. I don't know why you are so opposed to using a tripod.
Jun 20, 2013 02:03:02 #
debbiesweds wrote:
Hi! I have not been on this site in a while but yo... (show quote)
At f/5.6, you are minimizing your DoF, something you don't have a lot of anytime. Try using f/11, 16 or 22. Also, set your camera on manual focus and focus by moving the camera nearer to or away from the subject. If you use a tripod, you can use a micro-adjustable macro slider. Reasonably priced at Adorama or B&H.
Jun 20, 2013 04:07:58 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
I would agree with most previous comments regarding use of a tripod, and smaller f/stop than f/5.6. As a 'Wedding Photographer', you must surely be at ease using a tripod? You might also consider using 'Ring-Flash' (no pun intended), to assist the f/16 - f/22 needed for sharpness of the small items. I use the Sigma 105mm and 150mm Macro lenses, and never found them lacking in the sharpness department, with careful focussing of course.
Jun 20, 2013 07:11:47 #
And if you do not have a ring light, use your regular flash with a good diffuser.
Jun 20, 2013 11:38:40 #
debbiesweds wrote:
Hi! I have not been on this site in a while but yo... (show quote)
What' s worked flawlessly for at least 40 years ; any one of many inexpensive , variable power ,shoe powered strobes mounted directly on an 85 - 105 mm. Macro lens which is triggered by slave control in camera' s hot shoe .Select lowest I.s.o . , briefest strobe/shutter speed synch at f 16 , focussing manually .. Novoflex is the device I'Ve been using all those many years so it may no longer be had in its original versioning which case you may have to conduct a bit of a search . Once mounted it' s easily directabe ( much more so than a ring light in addition to providing far more power than most affordable ring lights at an effective shutter speed of an approx . of 1/ 20,000th sec. And no need for a tripod . Search for mounting gear might begin with Bogen/manfroto , B&H Photo ,Adorama , Novofllex ,Really Right Stuff ?
Jun 20, 2013 17:51:41 #
The use of a tripod is always a good idea, specially if you're at 1:1. That also makes it a lot easier to play with the focus. You could also consider focus-stacking (well that depends on what you want to accomplish). I had the Sigma 105/2.8 in the past and it should have no problem giving you the results you desire, it's pretty sharp.
Jun 20, 2013 18:11:28 #
debbiesweds wrote:
Hi! I have not been on this site in a while but yo... (show quote)
Debbie, I'm not into macro, but if I wanted to get really close to a ring, and for way less than you paid for the macro, I would have tried a set of tubes.
I would have tested the waters by getting a $10 set of plastic tubes and if it was workable then ordered a set of real auto tubes. You probably have no need to get to 1:1, you just need to fill your frame. At 1:1 you will probably need to stack to do a decent job.
I'll let the real pros chime in and see if this might work.
PS, at least now, if a spider pops out of the cake, you can shoot that too and charge them extra. Nice touch !
SS
Jun 20, 2013 18:45:07 #
0627ramram32
Loc: Orange County, CA, USA
Don't try to focus the lens. Set it for the magnification you want (or experiment) and then move the camera in and out (back and forth?) till the image is sharp, then squeeze (!) the button. Practice this until you get skilled at it, beFORE your next wedding.
Jun 23, 2013 09:17:28 #
geoff.
Loc: Plympton-Plymouth-Devon-UK.
hello there,
with micro photography use aperture priority mode,use control wheel on the camera to vary the aperture. the aperture on the lens should be set to the highest F/stop for film or digital cameras. the camera will keep the aperture wide open (so sensors have more light to focus & viewfinder is brighter)untill shot is taken it will close the aperture down to match your exposure settings on camera at the time the shot is taken.! it works for nikon anyway
best of luck
old brit
with micro photography use aperture priority mode,use control wheel on the camera to vary the aperture. the aperture on the lens should be set to the highest F/stop for film or digital cameras. the camera will keep the aperture wide open (so sensors have more light to focus & viewfinder is brighter)untill shot is taken it will close the aperture down to match your exposure settings on camera at the time the shot is taken.! it works for nikon anyway
best of luck
old brit
Jun 23, 2013 14:56:22 #
Jun 23, 2013 15:03:37 #
Opposition to a tripod could be due to the reason that it's cumbersome and the fact that it can be done at least as well with strobe on a macro lens without fuss .F16 at motion stopping speed of a strobe .
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