Where to start?

[Lwing]

OK, Santa just brought me a new 100 mm 2.8 macro! It has been on the wish list for a long time.

Now, where do I begin with macro shots?

What advice would you give for additional equipment and accessories for macro shots of flowers, bugs, miniture still lifes, etc?

I do have some older Novotron lights with umbrellas and a couple of speedlights with an off camera shoe cord.

[Warl0rd]

lens and a flash is all you need.

if you plan on buying some extension tubes for 2:1, then a bracket and a diffuser would be recommended.

[Lwing]

lens and a flash is all you need.

if you plan on buying some extension tubes for 2:1, then a bracket and a diffuser would be recommended.


Even the on camera flash is too intense for close up shots. I put a tissue over the flash to keep the subject from being washed out. That seemed to work reasonably well for my initial testing of the lens. I realize I need a good diffuser for my main flash unit.

Also, with just a few shots, it is obvious that DOF is a major issue in addition to lighting. I have read this in many comments on this forum but now I see stark evidence of it.

[jra]

A good tripod will also help wonders with macro work.

[themadman]

You might consider a tripod and a macro rail. But you can get great shots just hand held!

[LowSpark420]

Congrats! You gotta love Santa! He brought me a Canon 430EXII flash, a delta flash bracket and a set of Kenko tubes, so my Macro sessions will begin today as well.

June (my bday) is right around the corner, so I figure after the tubes and if I really dig it, a true Macro lens will be in order.

Happy Shooting!