New macro lens and a first try with it: I purchased a used Tamron 90mm SP Di AF f/2.8 Macro Lens from KEH. It was in EX+ condition but as far as I can tell, it might as well be brand...

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New macro lens and a first try with it

Aug 16, 2012 21:34:27 #

bawlmer Loc: Baltimore, MD

I purchased a used Tamron 90mm SP Di AF f/2.8 Macro Lens from KEH. It was in EX+ condition but as far as I can tell, it might as well be brand new. And they gave me a great price on it. This is a first try shot. I'll need to do some more with it when I have time and some good light.

When I came past the hedges this evening, I saw this spider spinning a new web so I thought he would be a good subject. He was no larger than approx 3cm.

Original size

cropped in close

Aug 16, 2012 22:20:23 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

If it is a macro lens, why are you so far away?

A 90-mm true macro lens on your Sony 16.2 mP, Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor (23.5 X 15.6mm) should capture 1:1 magnification (life-size) at 135-mm = 5.3-inches.

Move closer! Crop less! Keep your image resolution.

Aug 16, 2012 22:26:45 #

bawlmer Loc: Baltimore, MD

Nikonian72 wrote:

If it is a macro lens, why are you so far away?
A 90-mm true macro lens on your Sony 16.2 mP, Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor (23.5 X 15.6mm) should capture 1:1 magnification (life-size) at 135-mm = 5.3-inches.
Move closer! Crop less! Keep your image resolution.

I will try that. I was on a tripod. My hands just aren't as steady as I would like. And there was a slight breeze blowing so the spider was in focus, then out, then in, then out...you get the picture. :)

And as I stated, this was a quick try out when I got home today. I'll have plenty of time to work with it and get closer to things. Thanks for the feedback. :)

Aug 16, 2012 23:04:45 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Your focus looks right on time. Your exposure at ISO 400, 1/250-sec at f/2.8 also looks proper. We need to increase your DoF.

Like you, I shoot field macro-photography, but a tripod is just too slow & clumsy, so I shoot hand-held. In order to remove all movement from my images, I use a speedlight to freeze subject, and eliminate camera movement (hand-shake). I typically shoot at 1/200-sec at f/16 or f/22, which provides excellent DoF. Other macro-photographers have done similar. Take a look at a few macro set-ups here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-1.html

We will answer any questions that you may have.

Aug 17, 2012 18:59:44 #

bawlmer Loc: Baltimore, MD

Here's another shot as close as I could get. My outside spider was a no show due to the high winds and storm approaching. So I went into the basement and found this willing model. :) I couldn't see anything with the aperture set at F16, so I set the shutter speed down as far as I could so I could see and I used my external, off-camera flash. I'm going to need a bit more practice to get more in focus, but these came out pretty nice.

Aug 17, 2012 19:32:53 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

You have good focus & exposure. Now we need discuss speedlight illumination, which will fill your shadows, and increase your DoF.

Slightly tweaked and cropped tight

Aug 17, 2012 19:56:44 #

bawlmer Loc: Baltimore, MD

I had thought that shooting at f/16, I would have increased the DoF quite significantly, but it appears that it hasn't increased much at all. My flash is mounted on a hand held bracket, with the flash aimed at the front of the lens. I may have to try different angles to get the flash to illuminate more evenly. I looked at some of the set ups people have used and the milk jug diffuser looks like it might help alot by dispersing the light more evenly. Thanks again for your input.

Aug 17, 2012 20:11:39 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

bawlmer wrote:

I had thought that shooting at f/16, I would have increased the DoF quite significantly . . .

Your camera may be fore-focused, so only the closest parts of spider are in the back section of DoF. This one reason why slight variations in focus can be of benefit.

I see that this was a 1-second exposure, which means that you properly used a tripod. Try this:
1.) Go to "Live View", so you can see image on LCD monitor;
2.) Press the "+" button, which will digitally enlarge your image on LCD;
3.) NOW critically focus while viewing LCD monitor;
4.) Focus just beyond top surface (DoF is 1/3 in front of focus plane & 2/3 behind focus plane);
5.) Press shutter release when focus is selected.

Aug 19, 2012 01:03:12 #

bawlmer Loc: Baltimore, MD

Nikonian72 wrote:

quote=bawlmer I had thought that shooting at f/16... (show quote)

I printed out and tried these settings. Below are some of the results. Unfortunately, the spider was not as willing tonite, probably because I was disturbing his lair. So I also took some photos of a dead spider who was much more cooperative. :)