Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

inthedeck wrote in post #5764959
Get the Kenko set, it's a bit cheaper than the Canon set. Especially since you're paying for hollow tubes. Either are well renouned, around these parts.

These ones?
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …o_Extension_Tub​e_Set.html

That's them.

f/5.7 is a little too shallow depth of field for macro at 1:1 (min focusing distance). As I said above, you'll be wanting f/11 or so as a starting point. Even then, the DOF is in the order of millimetres. You really need to practise and you'll get it.

That being said, those shots you posted below are a good start. They're not at min focus distance, so not 1:1. You could probably get away with slightly wider aperture, just slightly off with the focus on the hoverfly, but not much. The dragonfly is a great shot. You won't see anyone getting a macro of a dragonfly head-on like that with the whole body in focus. Maybe if the DF was side on and if they focus stack or something, but that's another story.

doomba wrote in post #5771446
Here, some of the shots. All shots were made under direct sunlight with no falsh on 40D. I am as a beginner as one can get and these are my very first shots, so I have a lot to learn. All and any of your comments will be very appreciated!

1. exp. 1/500s, iso 250, aperture f/5.7
Here only fly's butt and some parts of wings are in focus.

2. exp. 1/500, iso 250, aperture f/5.7
Same setting as previous.

3. f/5.7 iso 400

troypiggo wrote in post #5771588
f/5.7 is a little too shallow depth of field for macro at 1:1 (min focusing distance). As I said above, you'll be wanting f/11 or so as a starting point. Even then, the DOF is in the order of millimetres. You really need to practise and you'll get it.

That being said, those shots you posted below are a good start. They're not at min focus distance, so not 1:1. You could probably get away with slightly wider aperture, just slightly off with the focus on the hoverfly, but not much. The dragonfly is a great shot. You won't see anyone getting a macro of a dragonfly head-on like that with the whole body in focus. Maybe if the DF was side on and if they focus stack or something, but that's another story.

troypiggo, thanks for your feedback! I will try your suggestions when weather clears.

I find f11 is the sweet spot for me on the 100mm Macro going to hight up to f22 creates more problems than it add DOF and if you have any dirt on your sensor anything smaller than f16 will show the dirt up dramatically
You are also better of where possible to shood accross the insect rather than along the length of the whole body. You sill never get it all in focus that way unless you start to photostack

Agreed Aussieroo. I've read, and also done some of my own testing, on apertures f/16 and above. Diffraction softening comes into play over f/16. You get much sharper images if you can keep f/11-f/13 for 1:1. If you're putting tubes on to get 2:1, drop down even more to f/8-f/9 or so. The guys using MPE-65 at even higher mags go lower than that if they want to avoid diffraction softening.

Talk about dust on the sensor showing up - put a full set of tubes on and see how much it stands out, even at f/11. Add a 2x TC for added effect

doomba wrote in post #5771476
These ones?
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …o_Extension_Tub​e_Set.html

As troypiggo said, that's them.

The 100 f/2.8 macro should be an "L" lens - good at 1:1 and at infinity. Takes tubes well, to, to get beyond 1:1. One of my better purchases.

troypiggo wrote in post #5771554
That's them.

inthedeck wrote in post #5772387
As troypiggo said, that's them.

Thanks again, folks!

I love this lens, and works great for me when I lack inspiration as I'll force myself to put it on my 5D and it makes me want to go out to the garden!

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

A couple from this afternoon - too hot to work in the garden so I thought a couple of hours shooting the garden was a reasonable compromise.

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

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

And let's not forget the bugs as well. And I received my set of Kenko extension tubes today while shooting these. Should be interesting.

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

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

figure i add a few more to this thread. not as good as some of you but i like them.

Bill

Love the ladybug!

Jaci

Nordly wrote in post #5797881
I love this lens, and works great for me when I lack inspiration as I'll force myself to put it on my 5D and it makes me want to go out to the garden!

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