ISO Considerations for good Macro results

[CamDiver]

OK, well there are some damned good shooters visiting these pages. For those, like me, who are just starting out on the macro road, I think it would be nice to have a discussion on the ISO selection, Pro's and Con's of, as an aide to better macro results.

I have noticed a lot of folks seem to have better looking images, better definition, better colours and better aesthetics than mine. This can also be borne of the fact that you look at your own image 5 billion times in post too so it looses its 'sparkle' in your eyes?

I love the MP-E65mm but it cannot be used for everything. I try to limit myself to using it at even at 1:1 it yields nice portraits (I don't really stack that much) but due to its lacking of DoF it can be frustrating at times.

I also generally tend to shoot 100asa but have started looking into 200asa results which are fine'ish. I guess there is always a trade off, Dof for detail.

Anyway, would be good to get other people's feedback.

Cheers,
Mark.

[LordV]

I'd guess most people here shoot at ISO 100 when using full flash and the camera in manual.
Using higher ISO levels is normally either for shooting natural light or some form of fill flash when you are trying to balance the light a bit more. I shoot upto around ISO800 when doing natural light shots or fill flash shots.
Having said that I've accidently shot full flash shots at ISO1000 and they were still very useable though you do need a good de-noise prog/plug-in.

Brian V.

[youmadeaway]

I honestly feel that having a little noise is okay. I think it adds character to a photo.

[troypiggo]

Similar to Brian. Shoot probably ISO 100-200, sometimes up it a little to bring out ambient light. I try to limit ISO 400 for that, it's usually enough for me.

Like posted above, a little noise is ok. You can either edit it or leave it. It's usually more noticeable in the bokeh/background rather than the subject, so just duplicate the layer, denoise one layer and use masks to combine the denoised bg and sharper/original subject.

But if you're mainly resizing down and posting on web, you might find that once resized down the noise becomes less noticeable anyway.

PS - this is the photo sharing section, should post talk/discussion section. ;)

[CamDiver]

PS - this is the photo sharing section, should post talk/discussion section. ;)Right, and how many people, new shooters, would you say read other sections of the website?? No big one. Just thought it would be good to chat.

Cheers,
Mark.

[troypiggo]

Don't take it to heart. Just trying to help, not be a policeman :) If a mod sees your post, they'll move it to the correct place and possible tell you why. I was just pointing out where that is. It's not like I didn't respond to your post and just nag you. It was a "PS" at the end.

Nothing wrong with chatting. I like it. In the right section. :)

That's all. I didn't mean to upset you. Sorry.

[CamDiver]

Mods: Please move if deemed inappropriately placed.

[macro junkie]

these shots are at iso 1600 with the 400d mpe-65 and mt-24ex with noisewhere pro run bw!


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2650236177_a189cf5972_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2650912054_718199cea8_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2650761978_a700e53e2e_o.jpg

[Greg_C]

I shoot almost all of my macro at ISO 400. I also use a tripod a lot more that most here for my macro shots. With these two combined I can often lower the shutter speed to 1/60sec when using my 180 and tubes. I then get a better natural colour in the background and the flash is less noticeable.

I do use Neat Image noise reduction on the image if I feel that it needs it.

[troypiggo]

I didn't know you used a tripod, Greg. Interesting.

[Greg_C]

I didn't know you used a tripod, Greg. Interesting.
Yeah, if it's static enough I'll use the tripod. If I'm chasing stuff about like bees in flight etc I'll be hand held.

[macro junkie]

i use iso100-200 99% of the time.

[lcpete]

I use ISO 400 mostly but not worried about going up to 800 with the 40D
I also now use a tripod a lot more since getting the 150 Macro
this is for natural light shots very rarely use flash
Pete

[dpastern]

ISO 400 for the vast majority of my shots. Usually 1/200, f11, but I vary as needed. I also usually adjust FEC on the fly.

Dave

PS Pete - long time no see!

[winkles]

typcally 200 - 800 for natural light.

200 - 400 when using the flash: dependant on what is required for apeture or shutter speed.

200 - 1200 when the flash is on minimum power. At full charge I can get the flash to work with the 40D burst if I am trying to get action shots