Macros - need critique

[lyssa615]

I just got my 100mm/2.8 lens last week and I photographed some flowers with it yesterday. I will post 2 examples here. I obviously need a lot of practice but I don't specifically know what I am doing wrong. It seems like there is a problem with DoF or with what I am actually focusing on??
The info for #1 is:
Tv- 1/1000
Av - 2.8
IS - 200
Focal length - 100mm

The info fror #2 is the same except for Tv of 1/200.

I did no post-processing and no, I didn't use a tripod but I am definitely using one next time:confused:
I appreciate your help!!

[Pete]

Using an aperture of 2.8 is the problem here, it'll give you a very tight DOF. Try the same with a smaller aperture. About f/11 up to f/22 and see how that works for you. You'll see that you'll get a tight DOF while you look through the viewfinder (because the lens is wide open then), but it'll look a bit better when you take the shot.

Keep at it, you'll get the knack of it.

[lyssa615]

I did shoot some at f/22 but they were completely blurred. I guess because I didn't have a tripod, right?

[Pete]

Just need to be careful focussing. Are you using auto focus or focussing manually? Often its easier to manually focus by moving the camera back and forth until the subject's in focus.

[lyssa615]

Manual focus.
Thanks for your help!

[Phreddie]

Macro is an eternal conflict between very shallow depth of field without stopping down to f11 (or so), then the resulting 'long' shutter time to correctly expose, if you then factor in the problem of movement (of you or the subject), then you're in trouble unless you have a flash gun.

It isn't absolutely essential, but have a look at the posts in the sticky 'Show us Your Macro Rig' for a load of solutions using flash.

Having said that there's absolutely no substitute for practice!

Have fun, it'll come right!

[wayne_eddy]

You'll need to bring down your shutter speed if you want to get a larger DOF with the 100mm. Also more light will help, whether from your flash or brighter environmental light.

To get greater DOF you can also step back some as greater range between you and the subject will allow for greater DOF.

You're not going to get (from my experience) much past f/9 without the use of a flash unit with this lens. You can get really good results without one still, but only up to f/6.3 or so.

Also take off your filter if you are using one.