How To Set D60 + 550 EX For Lab Pix?

[Xtrema]

Need to do some up close still life in a laboratory of fluid in glass jars. Need to fill the frame without much post-photo manipulation. Glass jars are about four inches tall at most. Workbench is black satin finish. Lighting is fluorescent. How can I set up the D60 to do close focus (i.e. flower symbol), reasonably small aperture for sharp focus and depth of field greater than 2 inches, and proper exposure?

I don't want to use a tripod, but could.

I am seeing unusual OK exposure then way underexposure then OK exposure type pictures in "flower" mode, open aperture, E-TTL flash. In a dozen shots bang bang bang this happened. I wonder if I just missed on flash recharge time.

[tim]

IMHO to do this well you're going to need a macro lens, a tripod, and good lighting. Something like a 100mm macro lens, F20, cable release, mirror lockup, etc. Macro can be difficult until you've played around a bit.

[robertwgross]

I agree. Get the right lens working for you, then fool with the light. Tripods can be useful, too, for repeatability of the subject framing.

---Bob Gross---

[Xtrema]

Let's say I can only justify one lens purchase for now. Will the 28-135 IS work? I'll find a tripod at work and squirrel it away in my office.

BTW this is not really so macro-critical that I would need mirror lockup. I'm just taking pix of jars of oil mixed with water and need to show the difference between those with separate layers and those with milkshake appearance.

[tim]

You can read lens reviews here (http://www.photographyreview.com/Lenses/PSC_3787crx.aspx) and on http://fredmiranda.com . You're going to have a hard time finding a general purpose lens that can also do macro work. I'd choose a lens based on what you mainly use the camera for, most lenses should get an ok picture of the jar.

[Jon]

What lens do you have now? That will help us in recommending what, if any, lens you should get. You might be able to get by with a "close-up lens " (screws onto the front of a real lens like a flter, to allow it to focus closer) or extension tubes.

The "Close-up" Basic mode isn't necessarily what you want to use. All it does is pre-set some of the controls you could otherwise set yourself, and keep you from choosing ISO. You'd get similar results with Av, Single-shot, and Evaluative metering, plus you'd be able to control ISO to get a shutter speed and aperture that give you best pictures for your situation.

[Xtrema]

Just getting by with a Tamron 28-300 that came with the camera. I like your idea on going with Av. I'm still uncertain why exposure levels were so different shot to shot on the first 'roll' of images.