Macro Photo

[Bob 38]

I have admired the photos on Macro posts I would like to be able to take photos like those I've seen on the Macro forum.

I have a Sigma macro lens 105mm 1:2.8 this is a photo I took today using a tripod the subect seems to far away I would like to get closer but it is blurred :oops:what am I doing wrong?.
Below are the settings I used in Manuel
Camera Model Name Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/1600
Av (Aperture Value) 9.0
ISO Speed 800
Image Size 3888x2592
Color Space sRGB

[kristin6]

There are two kinds of "out of focus" for images:
1) The image is not properly focused
2) camera shake

Camera shake occurs when either the camera moves as you push the shutter button or from the mirror flipping up, or if the subject moves (think wind). With macro photography, its wise to use a remote shutter release. To avoid wind, do your macro photography before 8:00am on a calm day.

Your image looks like camera shake or wind blur, because I don't find any part of the image that is sharp. At 1/1600, you should not have any issues with camera shake. Did you definately shot at 1/1600 and not 1/160?

Another possibility is that you are too close to the subject. The minimum focal distance for your lens is 12.3 inchs / 31.3cm. If you moved the camera closer than that after opening the shutter then it will become out of focus.

Those are some possibilities. When shooting macros, you'll need to get used to shooting several copies of a composition because its very difficult to focus, especially when you are starting out.

[Gnomey]

I presume the issue you are having is getting closer to the subject rather than having blurry shots after you have focused close to the subject.

Those look like cabbage white eggs, you should be able to get closer. Put the lens into manual focus and turn the focus ring to the closest focus, leave it at this setting and move the whole camera closer and closer to the subject until it comes into focus, this will be the closest you can get with the lens. AF struggles at close focus, so it is better to use manual focus.

[Bob 38]

This will be my fisrt reply excuse if I get it wrong. It was 1/1600 I took the photo with using a tripod.

thamks for the advice

There are two kinds of "out of focus" for images:
1) The image is not properly focused
2) camera shake

Camera shake occurs when either the camera moves as you push the shutter button or from the mirror flipping up, or if the subject moves (think wind). With macro photography, its wise to use a remote shutter release. To avoid wind, do your macro photography before 8:00am on a calm day.

Your image looks like camera shake or wind blur, because I don't find any part of the image that is sharp. At 1/1600, you should not have any issues with camera shake. Did you definately shot at 1/1600 and not 1/160?

Another possibility is that you are too close to the subject. The minimum focal distance for your lens is 12.3 inchs / 31.3cm. If you moved the camera closer than that after opening the shutter then it will become out of focus.

Those are some possibilities. When shooting macros, you'll need to get used to shooting several copies of a composition because its very difficult to focus, especially when you are starting out.

[Gnomey]

Was your problem with the above photo being blurry or finding it difficult to get closer?

The photo you attached looks ok, though it has a lot of JPEG compression artifacts so it is a bit difficult to see from that. You should be able save it at a higher quality as I think the limit is 150KB.

[Bob 38]

Was your problem with the above photo being blurry or finding it difficult to get closer?

The photo you attached looks ok, though it has a lot of JPEG compression artifacts so it is a bit difficult to see from that. You should be able save it at a higher quality as I think the limit is 150KB.

It is the attached I'm talking about I'd like to get closer

[Gnomey]

Did you try what I had suggested? If so how did you get on?

[Bob 38]

Did you try what I had suggested? If so how did you get on?

It seems I an only get 113 mind you as I said I am a complete novice taking macro photos well in photography in general any tips will be most welcome.

[John_B]

Bob 38,
If you had your lens set at it closest focus point (which should be 1:1) then you can't get any closer and still have the subject in focus!
Unless you use Extension tubes and/or special filters which allow you to get closer to subject or tele-converters which can also give more magnification.

[Bob 38]

Bob 38,
If you had your lens set at it closest focus point (which should be 1:1) then you can't get any closer and still have the subject in focus!
Unless you use Extension tubes and/or special filters which allow you to get closer to subject or tele-converters which can also give more magnification.

John
Can you tell me what is a tele-converters and how does one use it.

Thank you

[John_B]

Bob 38,
-=FAQ=- Teleconverter/T-Con Tele extender FAQ <-- click to see (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41922) as this gives a complete explanation of what a tele-converter is :)