Did I use the right or wrong lens here?

Chose to use a 35L for these shots. I don't think the lens was 4" from the flower on both shots. I also have an 85L and a 135L. Would one of those have worked any better?

Personally, I don't see any distortion or anything. I'm just curious the paths others may have taken given the other lenses I had to choose from.

1. Point blank range with a 35L - f/4, 1/640 ISO 100 on tripod

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

when i have the option of shorter vs longer with both lenses having about the same iq and max apperature if handheld i usually go for the shorter one if using natural light because instead of just getting my shutter speed up to 1.6 times the focal length with the long lens and possibly having to crank up iso to do so with the shorter lens i could have my shutter speed at 3-4x the focal length and get sharper shots. exception is if i need crazy bokeh. when i need crazy bokeh and have the light to allow it i go for the fast long lens because i just cant get the bokeh i do at 200mm f/2.8 with my 17-50 2.8

why are you questioning your choice?

personaly i probably would have went with the 85 just because there was enough light for a high enough shutter speed (plus you used a tripod, i rarely do) and i like a little distance, i find if i try to get too close while looking through the view finder i sway front and back a little and miss focus some times.\

this is just me though and altho there may be some scientific reasoning that i dont yet know about or understand i think its a subjective thing and depends on personal style and individual lens preferences (we all have favorites)

For the first one, I think I would have cropped it closer for that DOF. The second one is just right. The DOF for the subject is just right, and the background has just the right amount of blur. IMO

I like to use my 100/400 with extension tubes. When using it, you can get some nice blur backgrounds. I have had great luck with it.

Taken with 7D 100/400 and extension tube.

ss 1/2500 f8 ISO 800

The high SS is because this thing was blowing in the wind, I waited over 5mins for it to stop blowing to take this.

Outlaw: Thanks. Your post makes a lot of sense. I tried the 85mm ... minimum focus distance of that lens made for shooting farther away than the 35mm offered. Pretty sure based on my lenses, I made the right choice.

TG: thanks for your comments as well. I need to think more about DOF before I shoot!

Steve: Thanks for your example. Sometimes I'm slagged for not shooting my "L" lenses more wide open. f/8 nailed your shot. Good work. I'll try that when more day lilies come out in the coming days.

dave

As an update: Tried shooting the same flower with the 85L. Minimum focus distance too far to fill the frame. Pretty sure the 35mm is the best tool in the box for this type of work.

dave

snyderman wrote in post #12662531
As an update: Tried shooting the same flower with the 85L. Minimum focus distance too far to fill the frame. Pretty sure the 35mm is the best tool in the box for this type of work.

dave

With that camera you should be able to crop in to fill the frame.

I'm not sure I agree. If your MFD is too far get an extension tube(s). Using longer fl your going to get much tighter/better angle of view/perspective. Which leads me to my first point: on your second photo the huge white area in the upper left is distracting.

Gotta go with fellow Nebraskan, SteveJa, here that I like a telephoto and an extension tube. Great image, Steve.

This is with 100mm /f/2 and 12 mm extension tubes.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

I like the wide angle approach to flower photography, the only downside is the inclusion of the distracting highlights. A set of tubes would help with a longer lens's mfd but a good set can cost up to a third of the ef 100mm macro lens which makes the buying decision far from clear cut.