Macro on the 10D

[codename47]

Hey, I was wondering if there is a tip in using the macro function with the 10D b/c when I take flower shots I rarely get a focused shot fo the flower core or the middle of the flower.. it always seems to focus on the surrounding edge of the flower instead of the inner pistol... It is like the camera can't judge the depth or I'm shooting to close for my lens focal or ?? I don't know... any help... I post some on my website so you can see what I mean later... thanks

[Jesper]

The 10D has no "macro function". What lens are you using? As you suggest yourself, maybe you are closer than the minimum focusing distance for your lens. In that case you can't get the flower in focus. Are you using auto-focus or manual focus? Maybe the camera is focusing on something different than what you expect. Are you using a tripod? Making sharp macro photos can be very difficult, because every small vibration of your hands when hand holding the camera gets magnified.

Here is a macro tutorial (http://www.photo.net/learn/macro/).

[JZaun]

codename47

Make sure you are using the center AF point only! If you use all points it may focus anywhere it sees a flower leaf. Using the center point will allow you better control over what point on the flower you want in focus. Also use a high F# to get a deeper DOF..

JZ

[codename47]

wow thanks for the fast replies... well the 10D has the little "flower" auto setting that I was trying b/c I thought that was by my limited photo vocabulary a "macro" setting for flowers like the photo on the auto dial shows... I'm using just a simple canon 28-90mm lens with a focusing range of .38m/1.3ft.

I do see what you are saying about the center point focal box.. there are 7 and I can't ever seem to get it to use the center box when focusing on images.... I see it light up several but it always seems to be on the outside pedals of the flower and I can't seem to get it to focus middle on the flower center... Sometimes I can get it to work but not that often. So I'm wondering if it is merely distance keeping me from getting the photos I want. Then does this mean for flower pictures I need to buy a special "macro" lens for short distance focusing... if so what lens is good for the price?

[Persian-Rice]

The 28-90 is not made for macro photography.

If you want a macro lens that can focus and is made for the specific purpose of macro photography try one of the following(Bottom of my post). Macro lenses are designed to have a different range of movement and positioning of the lens so you can focus much closer to a subject. You can also try some extension adaptors if you don't want to buy a new lens, but they wont be as good.

Canon 50 2.5 Macro - $240
Canon 100 2.8 Macro - $480
Canon 180 3.5 Macro - $1200

Sigma also makes quite a few, lower price, but not quite the same quality.

[codename47]

Hey thanks again for the info.... I was going to post and example...

http://www.laynet-home.com/flowers.htm

If you go to pictures 11 and 12 you can see how one focused on the center of the flower and the other didn't focus on the middle but the edges... it seems to be a hit and miss with the lens I have but I guess if I need a special lens for macro then I need one... ther eisn't a lens that is kind of do it all with a good zoom is there? Well I'm probably asking for to much and if there is one it probably cost an arm and leg.

Hey Jesper, I've been in the Netherlands for the past month and I just got back to the US yesterday... you live in a beautiful country... plenty of photo ops there..... I was working in Leiden for a month.. pretty cool area. anyways.. take it easy....

[Mark_Cohran]

It appears you're trying to do close-up photography (not true macro since you lack the proper lens or macro tube) using auto focus. You'd be much better off switching to manual focus or by manually selecting your center focus spot. Your camera manual has all the information you need on how to do this.

Mark

[Jesper]

Hey Jesper, I've been in the Netherlands for the past month and I just got back to the US yesterday... you live in a beautiful country... plenty of photo ops there..... I was working in Leiden for a month.. pretty cool area. anyways.. take it easy....

That's a coincidence, I work in Leiden too, but I live close to Rotterdam (about 30 miles from Leiden)! :)

[codename47]

Looks like I have more reading to do :) Thanks for the explaination... I'll go a little more manual or switch over to a macro lens. Thanks for all the help.

Jesper-- You don't work at Centocor do you? That is where I was working... doing a drug product transfer. Anyways... Rotterdam has that sweet bridge, I watched a fireworks show like two weeks ago during a show put on by the navy and cost guard.. .pretty good show... I watched it from the cafe right on the water.. very cool stuff. Take care....

[toddb]

These are just hard pictures to take. I usually go for more DOF then need (if you can get that much light) because if your hand holding the camera, you can get your plain of focus off. The closer you get the shallower DOF you have with the same apature. Some tips would be to make sure your as steady as possible. I've read things such as keep your legs apart a little, so not all the wieght is on one foot. Use you body as the tripod....or lean up against a wall. But for stuff like bending over the flower, the one I use is to breath out and squeeze the trigger (don't hold your breath).

This was my problem before anyway.

[codename47]

Hey thanks Toddb for the tips. I'm really wanting to get better at photography and I've alwasy enjoyed it but buying the 10D to me was a step towards using my camera as something more than just a point and shoot device... it is now more of a means to take photos for wall art around the house or for friends... maybe if I get good enough get into portraits and etc... who knows... I figure though 6.3mp is going to last me awhile b/c I don't think I'd need much more than that would I? 6.3mp will probably just about do poster size won't it? Anyways.. thanks again for the help.. maybe one day I'll get closer to the photos I want.....

[Jesper]

Looks like I have more reading to do :) Thanks for the explaination... I'll go a little more manual or switch over to a macro lens. Thanks for all the help.

Jesper-- You don't work at Centocor do you? That is where I was working... doing a drug product transfer. Anyways... Rotterdam has that sweet bridge, I watched a fireworks show like two weeks ago during a show put on by the navy and cost guard.. .pretty good show... I watched it from the cafe right on the water.. very cool stuff. Take care....

No, I don't work at Centocor. You were probably as the Wereldhavendagen (World Harbour Days) in Rotterdam, which is always in the first week of September. I wasn't there, because I was on holiday in Denmark at the time. :)