brucew29 Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

I took this macro photo hand-held and did NOT get the details/clarity that I hoped for... I guess I am going to be forced into using a tripod or monopod which I don't like doing. I guess I just couldn't keep my to and fro motion fixed good enough. I like using available light but I'll have to use flash when the light is low like this particular situation, and use a smaller f/stop... I normally like to shoot 2-3 stops down from wide open (wide open = f/2.8).

P.S. I used a Canon 40D with a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS macro lens.

EXIF
Model=Canon EOS 40D
Date Time=2012:04:23 17:19:55
Exposure Time=1/60 sec
FNumber=F4.5
ISOSpeed Ratings=400
Flash=Off, surpressed
Focal Length=105.00 mm
Focal Lengthin35mm Film=366.05 (Crop factor? Reading from the software program)

Butterfly Macro Available Light - Cropped


Butterfly Macro Available Light - Full Frame

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

If sharp it would have been a stunner, especially with the red on black coloration. Yes, you can decrease the aperture and use a tripod or flash. Noticed that your shutter was 1/60 of a second, if you are going to handhold with natural light try raising that shutter speed. 8-)

brucew29 Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

I have been trying out the OS system on the lens and the Dandelion turned out pretty good hand-held, but I could brace myself better when I took that photo. The butterfly wasn't in a great location... I couldn't brace myself; also, the OS system is designed to take out some hand-shake in normal conditions. When macro focusing, the depth of field is much less and any back and forth movement of the camera or subject will throw the focus off. I also used auto-focus but magnified manual focus on the LCD screen would have been best. I used the viewfinder to focus. Again, learning the camera's limitations and my physical limitations are part of the learning curve that I am going through, my being a first time macro lens owner/user.

P.S. Other factors also involved but too lengthily to discuss.
See added butterfly photo but not very colorful.

Not Very Colorful

jdeanb Loc: Texas / central

If you are hand holding try manual setting aperture 16 and shutter at 250 ISO about 400 that is what Nikonion told me and it works even with a little shake.

brucew29 Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Thanks... those settings wouldn't work with the lighting conditions that were current during that shoot. I usually prefer existing/natural light and only use flash during critical shoots. Thanks anyway for the information.

MJL Loc: Wild Rose, Wisconsin

Have you tried ISO 800? That would cut your shutter speed to half of what it was with your original shot and maybe result in better focus. Many cameras nowadays can handle the higher ISOs and not have too much noise. Try it, you may be suprised at what you see. Your picture of the butterfly would be a "killer" if it was in focus.

brucew29 Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

I could have used ISO 800 but I am finding what I can do with the lowest ISO settings. I usually like to shoot at ISO 100 or 200 and crop as much as I like. I am discovering my limitations with this new macro lens and trying to determine how effective the OS sytem is on this lens. I just thought that I would pop in a few shots and let you know how I am progressing with my new lens. I am still in the experimenting stage with this first time macro lens that I have recently obtained. Thanks for your info and comments. I appreciate your input.

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

:P