Can the 100 2.8 Macro do this?

[Megapixle]

Hello macro folks. :)

I'm a wedding photographer and need a lens for ring shots. Browsing the macro forum and looking at peoples complex setups with their lights, rails, cables, etc. intimidates me. I just need to know--is it possible to get decent ring shots using just the macro lens without having to lug around any more bulky equipment?

This is the type of shot I'd be happy with:

Ring Shot (http://bp0.blogger.com/_zoPm26qacf4/RmguJxGbJ1I/AAAAAAAABRs/S2G1naDXfuY/s1600-h/SBWR+307.jpg)

(it's not my image so I'm not embedding it in my post)

So can I do that with the 100mm macro plus a Speedlite? Or do you have a better recommendation?

Thanks,

~mp

[Peepaw]

I'm sure the lens can handle that shot. I won't try to give advice on the flash though.
I'm sure someone else with better flash knowledge will chime in shortly.
You might want to try a post in the flash section also.

[LindaB]

You can, but if its just for shots like that, why dont you consider the Canon 60mm F2.8 macro lense. Its smaller and lighter and works perfectly with just the speedlite and a diffuser (and it costs a bit less than the 100mm). YOu would need to get closer to the rings of course but you could also use the 60mm for a portrait lense.

Linda

[Andrushka]

Hey MP - I have the macro 100mm 2.8 as well, and it could definitely do that same shot - but yeah you will need quite a bit of light or a tripod, which Im sure you would have on hand at a wedding anyway. I just saw a thread in the macro section that shows a bunch of "macro lighting rigs" - a few are real Speedlite macro ring lights, most are "home made" using regular 430ex/580ex on a flash grip with either the flash mounted on a goosneck or on a standard flash grip loosened in such a way that it is slanted inwards towards the lens and getting the flash around the front of the lens and preventing the lens shadow from being thrown on the subject... if i can find that thread again i will put it up here - i've tried the above approach with my 430ex on the slanted hand grip and it worked great! should work fine for ring shots!

[macro junkie]

your need a good flash either ring flash or 420ex on bracket...the camaras own flash wont cut it.

[silvex]

That should be an easy job for the 100mm. The 60mm is sharper, but only works with crop sensors. Just get a tent box, a couple of lamps with 100w 5500K bulbs and a tripod.

[S7000]

Don't use a flash on jewellery...The lighting is far too harsh. You need a constant softer light to hit the metal and the stones at the right angle to get the best light reflection.

[fordmondeo]

Don't use a flash on jewellery...The lighting is far too harsh. You need a constant softer light to hit the metal and the stones at the right angle to get the best light reflection.

I was about to say that.

I tried flash when trying to photograph geodes and gave up shortly after.

I found it best to tripod mount and use natural daylight.

Can I also suggest the canon 18-55 kit lens will do that, assuming that's a normal size piece of jewellery.

[macro junkie]

Don't use a flash on jewellery...The lighting is far too harsh. You need a constant softer light to hit the metal and the stones at the right angle to get the best light reflection.
ok in that case u need to go to the lighting box thread in flash and studio lighting..it shows u how to make a box for shooting with out having to use a flash..good results if u set your white balance..your need 2x500watt halergeon lights like they use on buiulding site..like this


http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=281524

[S7000]

I've made my DIY soft box...As you'll see near the end of that thread (Great thread by the by). Works wonders! Also have a properly built box in which I've been shooting jewellery in for my dad's shop. Still very much a beginner at it, but I have a shop full of stock to work with, and once I sort out a new lappy, will be back on the case with a folio. :)

[Megapixle]

Ah, that's what I was afraid of. As a wedding photographer (without a studio) I'm already lugging around 25 pounds of equipment and it's certainly not feasible to carry around a softbox with halogen lights. Maybe if I make use of a tripod I can get good enough shots.

fordmondeo, you really think the kit lens can do that?!? I have one and I'll try it out but I must admit I'm skeptical.

LindaB & silvex, good call on the 60mm. The reason I'm considering the 100mm is for maybe if I go FF in the future, and most of all, to have a backup telephoto lens in case something happens to my 70-200.

Thanks everybody else for the replies.

~mp

[fordmondeo]

Would you like to see some of my work with the kit lens?
Admittedly it is not full frame but, does that really matter?

[Andrushka]

heres a couple pictures i wipped up with my digi-rebel/430ex on a bracket combo - the first one is hand held, the second is on a tripod - admittedly it is real tough to keep the correct depth of field hand held - hope it helps in your quest! oh yeah, neither are processed at all, its my bed time... peace

[Andrushka]

heres the rig i just shot those two ring shots with - i didnt take any time to try different flash bounce angles and my Soviet apartment has one nasty bare light bulb - im sure you can imagine the positive effects of some window lighting in the daytime...

[Megapixle]

Thanks for the shots Andrushka, I'd be happy with something like that. Are those cropped or full frame? I'm assuming you used the 100 2.8 Macro?

~mp

[Andrushka]

hey mp - no crops! But it is on a 1.6x crop body - a digital rebel - but i didnt crop in photoshop or anything like that - and yes i used the 100mm f/2.8 macro lens for those shots - sorry i didnt get a clean enough shot of my rig with my p&s camera to show that! Im sure you could go with the 60mm macro and get pretty much the same shot cause the focusing distance is a lot shorter and then just sell it for practically what you paid for it if you upgrade to full frame... but Im totally happy with my 100mm by all means - also for easy macro lighting you can just get a $90 ring light (or the crazy Canon ones!)- just a thought!

[silvex]

Ah, that's what I was afraid of. As a wedding photographer (without a studio) I'm already lugging around 25 pounds of equipment and it's certainly not feasible to carry around a softbox with halogen lights. Maybe if I make use of a tripod I can get good enough shots.

fordmondeo, you really think the kit lens can do that?!? I have one and I'll try it out but I must admit I'm skeptical.

LindaB & silvex, good call on the 60mm. The reason I'm considering the 100mm is for maybe if I go FF in the future, and most of all, to have a backup telephoto lens in case something happens to my 70-200.

Thanks everybody else for the replies.

~mp

BTW the 50mmf1.4 or fifty-fity (50mm f1.8) with ext tubes might fit the bill on this on

[silvex]

heres the rig i just shot those two ring shots with - i didnt take any time to try different flash bounce angles and my Soviet apartment has one nasty bare light bulb - im sure you can imagine the positive effects of some window lighting in the daytime...

I will not use flash on it. You have a tripod and so camera shake will not be a thing. Also the ISO400 on it is not needed. Might need a long exposure, but then again you have a tripod.

This was taken with the nifty on a tripod no flash in a home made softbox. Shot using remote swich. f1.8 1/20 iso 100

http://silvex.smugmug.com/photos/198871560-L.jpg

[macro junkie]

I will not use flash on it. You have a tripod and so camera shake will not be a thing. Also the ISO400 on it is not needed. Might need a long exposure, but then again you have a tripod.

This was taken with the nifty on a tripod no flash in a home made softbox. Shot using remote swich. f1.8 1/20 iso 100

]



F1.8?

[silvex]

F1.8?

yup!

http://silvex.smugmug.com/gallery/2817597#198871560

click on info.

[macro junkie]

yup!

http://silvex.smugmug.com/gallery/2817597#198871560

click on info.
dam very low fstop.nice site by the way

[silvex]

dam very low fstop.nice site by the way

Yeah the nifty once it re-cal it is very sharp. I am glad you like the website and thanks for looking into it.