debbiesweds

I would like to take some macro photos with my CANON 7D. I have done some and they came out great but lately cant seem to reproduce and I have taken a few that aren't bad, but want the best shot possible. I have a nifty fifty (50mm f1.8) and the 24-70mm f2.8. What would be the ideal recipe for a great ring shot on a flower or a close up of a piece of jewelry or shoe, etc?! Thank you in advance for any insight!

Yooper Loc: U.P. Michigan

Your question is a little too open-ended to know how to answer it. Are you looking to use the lenses you have, or are you looking to purchase a new lens for macro work? I will give you the best answer I can.

One of the problems with macro photography is depth of field. The closer you get to the subject, the shallower the depth of field becomes. In addition, autofocus becomes less useful due the the small differences between being in focus and out of focus, and most people use manual focus. A slight movement of the camera can take the subject out of the area of focus, and makes clear images difficult. Using a tripod to compose the image and then carefully focusing can overcome this to a large extent and Live View can be a great benefit because you can zoom in and focus more carefully. This is my preferred method, and the way I usually work. You can also hand-hold the camera and manually focus the lens at a set point, and then move the camera forward and back until the subject is in focus, and then capture the image. Live View can be beneficial for this, and using the high-speed shutter and firing off a burst of shots can improve your success rate for this method.

In my opinion, based on my experience, you will get your best results with a dedicated macro lens with the camera mounted on a solid tripod. Macro lenses are designed to focus close and be sharp at short focusing distances. They also can be expensive. The 2 lenses you mentioned may be too short for use as a macro lens due to the close focusing distance, although the long end of your zoom is getting close. The other problem you may run into is the minimum focusing distance of those lenses, although I don't know what the specs are.

I've attached a couple of macro flower images I captured with a 40D and Canon 100mm macro lens. These were captured with the camera on a tripod set up close to the ground.

Trout Lilies - f/11, 1/125 sec, ISO 200


Nature's Clothesline - f/8, 1/60 sec, ISO 200

kalena

Truly lovely wildflower images. Thanks!

Clay2

Yooper is right on.... can't beat a macro lens and tripod... let's you get up really close like with this Green Darner Dragonfly... 105 macro.

Nikon D2X, Nikon 105 macro

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

WOW Clay amazing shot...... ok for us on limited budgets what is your opinion on extension tubes? And what lens would they best work with .......

IvanF Loc: New York City

Amazon.com has a variety of lenses & extension tubes with a really amazing price range at http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amacro+lens&keywords=macro+lens&ie=UTF8&qid=1316529273. Even if you don't buy from them there is great user feedback on most products. I usually read both the worst and best reviews (or all if there are not too many).

Another inexpensive solution is close-up lenses.

Of course nothing is as good for macro photography as good macro lens, but to get a great shot like Clay, exceptionally good technique and patience is what really gets the picture.

IvanF Loc: New York City

Really breathtaking picture, Clay. WOW is right!

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

I just received my Kenko extension tube set yesterday. I'll be experimenting with my different lenses to see what the results will be. I will probably (as budget allows) get a 105mm Sigma lens as Nikon is way out of my price range. I have an excellent tripod and remote shutter..... so hopefuly I'll have some decent (not exceptional) macro photos to post one day...

IvanF Loc: New York City

I look forward to seeing your macro photos, DB. With the tripod and the remote shutter you may also consider the mirror lock-up if your camera model permits it. It will also cut down on vibration, another source of unsharpness.

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Thank you Ivan. Yes my D90 does have mirror lockup and I will try that..... off to find some interesting bugs, flowers, whatever I can find......

debbiesweds

Thank you - sorry to be just getting back to you now. Sorry it was openended - no, I am not looking to buy another lens (for time being) was wondering if it was possible with the equipment I have. I did one once that came our rather good - but not sure how to read the info off of a photo (thats a whole nother subject!) but don't know exactly how I managed to make it work before and now cannot seem to get the great sharp shot of the ring!?! Was hoping to hold off buying another lens for a bit. Your photos are breathtaking by the way - as was the one of the -was it a dragonfly- wow - they were all great shots - want to be able to do that - gonna read up again on your advice and also look into the extension tubes for the future m aybe. thank you all!

debbiesweds

I am surprised by the f11?! would have thought to get that bocha you were at an f2.8 or something - is it not necessary with that particular lens - don't understand that?!

Clay2

If you can't get the macro YET, then I would go with the extension tubes... the secret is practice... know what your lens can and can't do. It can be quite a challenge shoots macro but the rewards are worth it.... keep it up.

debbiesweds

thank you! will do!! appreciate the help!

dasboat Loc: Vernonia,Ore.(Vernowhere)

That's outstanding Clay.So crisp and sharp! I've found that using a EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM,I do'nt have to set up the tripod and can take pictures on the run.I can't get over the color's that come out unprocessed.Although I had to lighten up #3