Yesterday I asked for some advice on lens for macro work. Today on a whim I dropped by Showcase Photo and someone had just traded in a bunch of Canon glass. I got a 100mm f2.8L IS for not much more than I had planned on spending. They also had a used canon ring flash for $350, it would not fit the 67mm lens but would fit the non IS model. I guess it's just as well because I don't know if the kidnapped story would work again. I came home and put my EX580 flash with difuser on my camera and started chasing stuff around my back yard. I am posting a couple of the please let me know how to improve. I am old and have had my butt chewed by professionals. I will be asking a ton of questions.
First thing I saw crawling
chased bees for a hour before one landed close
Same bee guess I need to crop before posting.
I believe that you may be fore-focused on the ant. Notice that the ant is soft, but the foreground is better focused. Narrow DOF.
Always focus on an insects eyes. You are back-focused on first bee (foot is sharper than eyes). Narrow DOF.
Second bee is MUCH better. Cropping is your friend for detail. Narrow DOF.
unknown parameters
ISO 100, 1/250-sec at f/8
ISO 100, 1/250-sec at f/9
You need to increase your DOF. That means a smaller aperture.
We can combine two ways to do this:
1.) Increase ISO 100 to ISO 400 = +2-stops;
2.) Increase shutter duration from 1/250 to 1/125 = +1-stop.
ISO 400, 1/125-sec at f/22 = same exposure with double DOF.
Hand holding the camera with the flash on top is awkward for me. I am going to find a bracket with handle so I can mount flash to side also got a split focus screen coming to help with focus. This is very interesting, I just read the tutorials you had linked they point you in the right direction of what your goals should be, but don't really show specific techniques. I shot all these in shutter priority. The reflection of flash on bees eyes. use more as fill light instead of direct? Thanks for your help.
ngc1514
Loc: Atlanta, Ga., Lancaster, Oh. and Stuart, Fl.
Welcome to Macroworld! Showcase is one of my favorite places. Do you check out Wings Cameras? Mike can have some great deals on used gear.
ngc1514 wrote:
Welcome to Macroworld! Showcase is one of my favorite places. Do you check out Wings Cameras? Mike can have some great deals on used gear.
I didn't know Wings is still around. Where is it used to be on Ponce
Artsmith wrote:
Hand holding the camera with the flash on top is awkward for me. I am going to find a bracket with handle so I can mount flash to side also got a split focus screen coming to help with focus. The reflection of flash on bees eyes. use more as fill light instead of direct?
Take a look at the "Macro Set-Up" thread to see what other photographers are using, especially for illumination. Diffused light will enhance insect eyes.
ngc1514
Loc: Atlanta, Ga., Lancaster, Oh. and Stuart, Fl.
Wings is now on the west side of Briarcliff just north of Clairmont. Mike has more Canon gear than most other stuff. I try to stop in at least once a week just to see if that 600mm f/4 - free to good home - has turned up yet.
So far - no joy.
dfalk
Loc: Chugiak, Alaska
Artsmith wrote:
I shot all these in shutter priority.
I recommend using aperture priority. The primary concern is going to be depth of field, not likely you'll be shooting something in motion so setting aperture for desired depth of field (I rarely if ever shoot wider than f16) and letting shutter take care of itself. If using flash I set sync to 1/250 to help reduce camera motion blur.
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