Tokina 100mm Macrol Lense

[crbradford01]

I currently am shooting with the 100mm macro lens from tokina. i have notice when I switch to manual focus, i have the top of the picture is out of focus, the middle is in focus, and the bottom isn't. Is this becuase the middle is what they expect the subject to be placed in? It's frustrating. If anyone has any input I would appreciate it. Down below is a picture that shows what I am talking about, again I am new to macro photography.

[LordV]

Main point is the depth of focus at 1:1 magnification is very thin. You need to try to reduce the aperture to around f8-F11 to get reasonable DOF. With manual focus the in focus area should be exactly where you want it to be but normally with a shot like this you would make sure the front edge is in focus.

Brian v.

[crbradford01]

Thank you, i adjusted aperture and you can tell a great difference.

[KCMO Al]

For a subject like the above, it is also better to have it relatively flat rather than on an oblique angle. Macro is one area of photography that takes tons of practice and experimentation. People often come to it thinking the first shot they take will blow them away...rarely happens. This is another area where digital shines. You can experiment to your heart's content and see the results immediately and correct anything that's wrong.

[themadman]

As it has already been addressed, setting your aperture at f11 or so will help greatly, also with macro, you almost always have a razor thing DOF. Try to find a flat face of the subject you are trying to take a photo of.

[dicklaxt]

Take a look at this shot it may help the explanation.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=808593

dick

[Warl0rd]

take the shot straight on, i.e. place the coin on the table and the camera sensor parallel to the coin.

that way even with a wide aperture all the coin will be on focus. of course the perspective will be different.