Stupid question about shooting macro

[judyg]

I love closeups of flowers and whatever, but I think I'm missing something. I have the EOS 350, with the EF 75-300 EF IS and the EF 25-135 IS.

When I shoot close up, I get as close as the lens lets me, decide on depth of field, and either manual or auto focus, depending. The pics come out pretty good to my eye.

I don't shoot these in the "macro" preset on the camera, I shoot in either "P" mode or AV or TV.

In reading about macro, the books always mention putting the lens in "macro mode". I never do anything different as far as lens settings for macro shots. Is there a setting on the lens for macro, that I am not seeing?

Both of these lenses have a macro "ring" on them.

Sorry if this is a really stupid question. And yes, there is such a thing as a stupid question.

[copter105]

If you are getting good pictures then don't change a thing. The beauty of manual settings is the manual part. I've never owned a macro lens so maybe somebody else can tell you better. Post a few pictures here and let's see what you got.

[SDK^]

The Macro setting on those lenses isn't true 1:1 lifesize macro - It just puts the lens into a close focussing mode.
Changing the setting on the camera to Macro Mode won't do much either, it'll just select a few presets to make taking the photo easier i.e. : The One shot AF mode, (single) drive mode, Evaluative metering mode, Auto ISO speed, and Auto white balance will be set automatically.

Stick with P, Tv or Av :)

[gasrocks]

When someone says put in it the macro mode - they mean get as close as you can - some lenses have special setting that allow you to get closer than they normally would. Not real macro, just closer. Good pix of flowers? get the camera out of auto. You should be manual focus, setting the iso yourself, probably in Av mode picking a lot of DOF, f/16 or f/22 or f/32 for example. On a tripod or at least a monopod. Those 2 lenses you mentioned won't deliver stunning macro pix. But learn the technique, do the best you can.

[malla1962]

When someone says put in it the macro mode - they mean get as close as you can - some lenses have special setting that allow you to get closer than they normally would. Not real macro, just closer. Good pix of flowers? get the camera out of auto. You should be manual focus, setting the iso yourself, probably in Av mode picking a lot of DOF, f/16 or f/22 or f/32 for example. On a tripod or at least a monopod. Those 2 lenses you mentioned won't deliver stunning macro pix. But learn the technique, do the best you can.
true macro is life size 1:1 anything els is just close up.you could buy some life size conversion filters for your lenses and they work quite well and dont cost a bomb.allso
using extension tubes will let you focus closer.

[judyg]

Ok then I guess it's just closeup not true macro. Here's a rose:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/jgoodstein/misc/rosefixed.jpg

[judyg]

Here's a tomato plant:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/jgoodstein/misc/tomato.jpg

[MDJAK]

Judy, take a look here:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/canon_macro.shtml

Also, the pictures you posted are very nice. But if you want to do true macro, check out the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. It is as sharp as a razor and true 1:1.

[Barb42]

Most of my macros are with the 28-135. on the rings of the lens you will notice a marking called 'macro'. When you get in real close, its just there. I also have a 100 2.8 macro but I still like the results of the 28-135 for most things. Its a great lens and the best all round for a walk-around, although some here don't care for it. I have had great luck. Most of the images here were taken with it - http://groups.msn.com/TheEthicalDemand/wildflowers.msnw

[J Rabin]

Judy.
Not a stupid question, but you already know the answer, and you already know you know the answer, because the salmon/peach colored rose, with selective focus at the top of sepals, is too damn good not to know!

The macro idiot mode on the camera means nothing. It's logic just tries, depending on ambient light, to select an f/stop that is moderate, and above the minmum of the lens' lowest open f/stop to give the user some depth of field. So, with a 28-135, which is an f/5.6 lens, the camera will try and select f/8, etc., if it can. It behaves similar to the portrait idiot mode, which is equally useless.

The macro designation on the lens also means nothing more than a marketing ploy. It means that when the lens is at it's closest focus setting, the magnification level is 0.2x,or 0.3x life size or something similar. Most telephotos like those you listed have a magnification of about 0.2x +/-. Real macro is 1x, i.e., life size.
But, close focus at less than 1x. say 0.2x is darn fun. Enjoy it.

Just keep running the camera in M and enjoy it!
J

[Leorooster]

Judy - if you only shot flower close ups, your 28-135 and 75-300 should give you a pretty good magnification (about .2x and .25x, respectively). If you want to shot something smaller, such as small insects, other accessories, such as extension tubes and close up filters, or even a dedicated macro lens will give you better resutls. As other mentioned above, true macro means having at least 1x magnification. This link will give you a lot of basic info:

http://www.beautifulbugs.com/howto.htm

Edit: to see some more pics, go to the macro forum:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=38

[DavidEB]

here (http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80205) is a shot done using extension tubes on a standard 70-200mm lens. I think they work quite well.

[judyg]

You folks are such enablers!

I just ordered the Tamron SP 90 f2.8 macro lens.

Thank you for the explanation of "true macro" I never realized it meant 1:1.

Looking forward to using the macro lens, wishing I paid extra for 1-day shipping :)