macro2009 Loc: Cheshire United Kingdom

Hi new to the group.
I have just put two images up for comment (original image stored)
Lens Canon EF 100mm 2.8L Macro USM.

macro forum No1


macro forum No2

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

These are beautiful, but not actual Macro photography. I especially like the butterfly. You might find this thread helpful.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22447-1.html

and if you go here there are some very good educational posts.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

macro2009 Loc: Cheshire United Kingdom

Thanks Country's Mama. I had actually read the first thread. The reason I stored the original to prove I had used my 1:1 macro lens but I am here to learn with humility.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

They don't appear to be macro. Were they photographed @ 1:1 magnification?
Most bees (on our side of the pond) are 15-20mm in length. With a DX format camera (1:1 is 24mm across), the bee should almost fill the frame.

macro2009 Loc: Cheshire United Kingdom

Here is the Exif data can you advise:

Camera Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 100 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Fired
X-Resolution 300 dpi
Y-Resolution 300 dpi
Software picnik.com
Date and Time (Modified) 2011:08:15 15:54:02
Artist Michael Schofield
YCbCr Positioning Centered
Copyright Michael Schofield
Exposure Program Aperture-priority AE
Date and Time (Original) 2011:08:15 11:13:25.00+01:00
Date and Time (Digitized) 2011:08:15 11:13:25
Max Aperture Value 2.8
Subject Distance 0.77 m
Metering Mode Multi-segment
Sub Sec Time 00
Sub Sec Time Original 00
Sub Sec Time Digitized 00
Color Space sRGB
Focal Plane X-Resolution 3795.3488372093 dpi
Focal Plane Y-Resolution 3904.30622009569 dpi
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Scene Capture Type Standard
Compression JPEG (old-style)
By-line Michael Schofield
Copyright Notice Michael Schofield
Global Angle 30
Global Altitude 30
XMPToolkit Image::ExifTool 8.18
Flash Compensation -1.66666666666667
Image Number 0
Lens EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Going off Subject Distance 0.77 m I would say no.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I would agree. My 1:1 setting indicates a distance of 0.314 m.

macro2009 Loc: Cheshire United Kingdom

Does this preclude me from putting these type of images up, having seen some stunning humming bird images how can we determine the subject distance?

tinusbum Loc: east texas

welcome!i put my macro lens on 1-1 and move the camera until it is in focus.tom

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

They don't appear to be macro. Were they photographed @ 1:1 magnification?
Most bees (on our side of the pond) are 15-20mm in length. With a DX format camera (1:1 is 24mm across), the bee should almost fill the frame.[/quote]

My prior post was a little misleading. The DX macro measurements are for Nikon which has a 1.5 cropped sensor. Canons, I believe, are 1.6. The attached metal rule show 1:1 with my cropped sensor (DX) Nikon.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

To try and explain in a simple manner, for your macro lens to take a "true macro" shot you must first focus the lens to the closest focus, at that focus in the little window on the top of your lens barrel you will see the golden colored number 1. If you look just left of the window you will see the 1: next to the window, that window is indicating the magnification that you are shooting at, at closet focus your are shooting at 1:1 as you focus further away you will see those golden numbers change to 1.5, 2, 3, 5. If you shoot with the number 3 in your window that would indicate that you are shooting at 1:3 telling you that the image will be reproduced on your sensor will be 1/3 the size it is in real life.

Your pics are pleasing but they are considered by purest to be close up photography and not "true macro". There is a lot to be said for closeup as often you are better able to frame and bring other interesting aspects into the pic that help create mood and feeling in your shots. But for the purpose of this forum, true macro only refers to 1:1 reproduction on the sensor and larger.

Enjoy your lens, it is a wonderful lens and I am sure that you will take many great closeups and macros as well, and I hope to see examples of both here on the forum.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Well said. However, (and this is just me--not the official "word" ), one of the values of keeping this a niche for "true" macro is not diluting the UHH Macro Forum with a lot of close-ups. There's another place for that: UHH Gallery. I have no issue with "reference" shots, i.e. a close-up and then the macro view(s). Just my two pennies worth....

Now if some wanted to start a "Close-up" Forum, I would support that. Definitions and guidelines would have to follow....

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Every reply comment above is correct.

As Geff, discussed, the best way to learn macro, is to set your camera to Minimum Focusing Distance, then move camera/lens in-&-out towards subject, until you find focus, then press shutter release.

Your images can be cropped to macro proportions, but it is far better to capture higher magnification in camera.

You have excellent camera and lens. Now move closer!

macro2009 Loc: Cheshire United Kingdom

My particular Canon 1D Mk IV is actually 1.3X crop sensor.

macro2009 Loc: Cheshire United Kingdom

Thank you that is quite enlightening.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Canon 1D Mk IV sensor size is 27.9-mm x 18.6-mm (designated as APS-H).

Your "crop factor" is indeed less, but your MFD and Working Distance is a product of your lens, not your sensor. You must still be closer to achieve true macro. MWD for your lens is about 6.3-inches.

This crop is closer to 1:1 (true macro)