Very first (almost acceptable) Macro: OK... overall it's not spectacular... but I just thought I'd post my very first attempt at a Macro shot. I can only improve, and this will be a...

Macfid Loc: Sydney

OK... overall it's not spectacular... but I just thought I'd post my very first attempt at a Macro shot. I can only improve, and this will be a useful point of reference once I'm down the Macro line a bit. A small (maybe 2cm long) spider from our Sydney back garden.

OK... I need to work on EVERYTHING :)

Macfid Loc: Sydney

Incidentally. I believe that while I snapped this on 'auto' it was at 1/320 F5 ISO AUTO. I'd be happy if anybody could advise as to what settings might have worked better and given me better DOF. Oh... also... my Sony SEL30M35 came with a kind of rectangular slit lens cap which can be left on or removed. Would someone kindly explain to my the benefits of using or not using this cap in general terms. I left it on for this pic.

ngc1514 Loc: Atlanta, Ga., Lancaster, Oh. and Stuart, Fl.

The reported last words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe were "Mehr Licht!" "More Light!"

Pop your on camera flash and see how that works for you. I usually shoot this sort of stuff in Manual with the ISO between 200 and 400. Set the shutter speed for about 1/160th for my unsteady hands, adjust aperture to the depth of field I want and let the camera's electronics decide how much light the flash should put out. Also set the camera to spot metering mode.

And then tweak to get the results you want.

But it's not bad for an early effort. The bright background caused the underexposure of the little beastie.

Keep shooting!

dfalk Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

Macfid wrote:

Incidentally. I believe that while I snapped this on 'auto' it was at 1/320 F5 ISO AUTO. I'd be happy if anybody could advise as to what settings might have worked better and given me better DOF.

Your depth of field is very shallow. You need to shoot at a smaller aperature to increase depth of field.

1:1 macro on bugs is going to be difficult with that lens since you'll have to get within an inch to achieve 1:1.

Macfid Loc: Sydney

Excellent response... just what I was looking for. Thank you.

ngc1514 wrote:

The reported last words of Johann Wolfgang von Goe... (show quote)

Macfid Loc: Sydney

Thanks very much for the info. As a novice... How do I KNOW that I'm achieving 1:1. While I understand the 1:1 reference... how do I define the point where I am achieving it?

dfalk wrote:

Macfid wrote:

Incidentally. I believe that while I snapped this on 'auto' it was at 1/320 F5 ISO AUTO. I'd be happy if anybody could advise as to what settings might have worked better and given me better DOF.

Your depth of field is very shallow. You need to shoot at a smaller aperature to increase depth of field.

1:1 macro on bugs is going to be difficult with that lens since you'll have to get within an inch to achieve 1:1.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

It also appears that your camera focused on the legs of the spider rather than the head. I'm not familiar with your camera, but maybe it's set to focus on the closet object to the lens. The legs were probable closer than the head in this photo. You may have to change how or where the camera is focusing. Just a thought. 8-)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Bmac wrote:

It also appears that your camera focused on the legs of the spider rather than the head.

This is a valid observation. I suggest that OP use the smallest spot-focus meter as his camera offers. That can assist in keeping insect eyes (most important) in focus.

Macfid Loc: Sydney

I have just had another quick spell with a change to 1/160 F3.5 ISO400 and crossed my fingers for the light. Focused on the eyes and managed to get a couple of slightly better shots. I'm really enjoying the feedback here... thanks.

Bmac wrote:

It also appears that your camera focused on the legs of the spider rather than the head. I'm not familiar with your camera, but maybe it's set to focus on the closet object to the lens. The legs were probable closer than the head in this photo. You may have to change how or where the camera is focusing. Just a thought. 8-)

Never seen one of these little green critters 'til today

The shed door's most cooperative spider

Macfid Loc: Sydney

Thanks Nikonian72... I'm slowly getting there.

Nikonian72 wrote:

Bmac wrote:

It also appears that your camera focused on the legs of the spider rather than the head.

This is a valid observation. I suggest that OP use the smallest spot-focus meter as his camera offers. That can assist in keeping insect eyes (most important) in focus.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Macfid wrote:

I have just had another quick spell with a change to 1/160 F3.5 ISO400 and crossed my fingers for the light. Focused on the eyes and managed to get a couple of slightly better shots. I'm really enjoying the feedback here... thanks.

Okay, they are better, especially your second shot, head is sharp. Now you have to increase your depth of field. An aperture of F/3.5 will give you very shallow depth of field, especially when close to the subject. Try your next shot at F/16 or smaller and you will see the difference. 8-)

Macfid Loc: Sydney

Bmac wrote:

quote=Macfid I have just had another quick spell ... (show quote)

Doh! That is highlighting just how much of a novice I am Bmac :) I thought 3.5 was the smallest because it was the smallet number. As I said... I can only improve. Time for the next run with more DOF. Thanks again.

Macfid Loc: Sydney

Bmac wrote:

quote=Macfid I have just had another quick spell ... (show quote)

Macfid wrote:

Doh! That is highlighting just how much of a novice I am Bmac :) I thought 3.5 was the smallest because it was the smallet number. As I said... I can only improve. Time for the next run with more DOF. Thanks again.

OK...next lesson learnt is that at F16 you need more light. I think my next spider experperiment will be when the sun is out again tomorrow. Thanks for your help today folks.