Newbie macro pointers

[whatsup]

I'd appreciate some help. This is my first foray into non-"point and shoot" photography and I'm very much still coming to grasp with the terminology, techniques, etc. I'm interested in macro photography and picked up a Canon 40D and the 100mm f/2.8 macro lens.

The results I'm getting so far pale in comparison to many of the images posted in these forums and I'm not sure if it's primarily due to technique, equipment, or what have you.

Here are two examples (cropped at 100%):

http://www.fragtastic.com/posts/0806/1466.jpg

http://www.fragtastic.com/posts/0806/1479.jpg

I'm not getting the clarity I'd like, I'm not able to get as "close in" as I'd like, and I'm struggling with the depth of field. I've tried a number of "manual" combinations but wasn't successful getting better pictures than the ones above that were taken in "macro" mode.

I'm assuming that to get closer I need something like the 1.4X extender and/or extension tubes and that I'm going to need more light to solve the DOF issue so an external flash is in order. Finally, I figured a remote switch might help with whatever camera shake I'm introducing.

Does that sound about right or am I just trying to solve a problem that comes down to poor technique with more equipment?

Thanks!

[Greg_C]

hey whatsup, welcome to POTN.

You didn't say what manual settings you tried so I'll suggest a good place to start. F11 1/160s ISO400 with the pop up flash set to -2/3 FEC. DoF is still going to be shallow at F11, not a lot you can do about this. You'll need to adjust the setting for your conditions, If you don't shake or have a tripod you could try lowering the shutter speed. One trick is to look at the angle you are shooting at so that the plane of the DoF works along the subject how you want it to.

Start with some larger, stationary subjects and then work towards the smaller staff. This should be easier and this will help your confidence. Small stuff doesn't fill the frame as well and you then try to get in closer, then you find you can't focus because your too close.

You're right about the need for a flash later. Getting the flash off the camera and closer to your subject can make a big difference to your shots. Until then have a look at some of the macro rigs in the Macro forum sticky. If I remember correctly there are some examples of how to get the light from the popup flash closer to the subject with some home made equipment.

At some stage you could pick up extension tubes but I'd wait a little until you are happy using the 100 Macro without them. They will be harder to use at first and you'd be better off mastering the 100 by itself. With 68mm of tubes your subject will be very close to the front of the 100 and the popup flash won't light it very much, probably even cast a nasty shadow, so it might be better to wait until after you've got a 580 and off camera cord to get some tubes.

[whatsup]

Thanks Greg!

Your suggestions certainly helped:

http://www.fragtastic.com/posts/0806/1529.jpg

I sharpened and adjusted the color balance a little in Photoshop since the picture was a little dark... but it's worlds better than it was. Still not quite as detailed as I'd like but I'm guessing I'm not going to get much more without some sort of magnification.

Mark