Ultimat Macro?

Hello

Ive been trying (for a long time) to get some decent Macro Shots.

http://www.kiek.info …%20Animals/slid​es/017.asp

http://www.kiek.info …%20Animals/slid​es/020.asp

http://www.kiek.info …%20Animals/slid​es/023.asp

Any hints and tips for me to improve my work!!

Thanx

Richard

quite a few in that gallery taken at 2.8, even #1 the best is only 5.6. DOF is shallow in macro so unless looking for a particular effect you should be aiming to use f7-16. ISO800 can be a bit noisy, best to use ISO 200 or less so use of flash is normally recommended.

racketman wrote in post #3383588
quite a few in that gallery taken at 2.8, even #1 the best is only 5.6. DOF is shallow in macro so unless looking for a particular effect you should be aiming to use f7-16. ISO800 can be a bit noisy, best to use ISO 200 or less so use of flash is normally recommended.

How can i use the flash when i am so close to the subject?

Very nice subjects. Racketman gives good advice.
If you are using a built-in flash, try to reflect it. Or get a reflector. Or get a removable flash. Or get a ring flash. Or wait until you have good sun. Or get a fast macro lens. Are you using a tripod?
These are good shots. --Rick

rrdjserv@earthlink.net wrote in post #3386901
Very nice subjects. Racketman gives good advice.
If you are using a built-in flash, try to reflect it. Or get a reflector. Or get a removable flash. Or get a ring flash. Or wait until you have good sun. Are you using a tripod?

If you have a ping pong ball cut it in half and put it over your on board flash it will diffuse the light, you might have to use flash compensation.

Good start, not sure what you are using to get your macro shots, is it your 50/1.8 and tubes?

I would stop down a bit more.

For flash use your 550EX on a bracket (see sticky at top of macro section) or get a macro flash, either the ring flash or better still twin flash. But before you start investing in macro flash you might want to get a macro lens, 100mm is a good length.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #3387252
Good start, not sure what you are using to get your macro shots, is it your 50/1.8 and tubes?

I would stop down a bit more.

For flash use your 550EX on a bracket (see sticky at top of macro section) or get a macro flash, either the ring flash or better still twin flash. But before you start investing in macro flash you might want to get a macro lens, 100mm is a good length.

hmmm a few shots are made with my old S7000 Fuji.

I have a 550EX flash! Would my pictures be better if i used a flash???

It makes it a lot easier to start off with.

More light to stop down by, minimal shake and subject movement problems because of the short duration, less dependent on ambient light.

Natural light is lovely, but it is harder. Much above life size I almost always use flash.

Some good shots there Richard - agree with RM that stopping down will help with DOF, unless you're deliberately after that type of effect. You may want to try the 580 flash, and buy a flash bracket and Canon offshoe adaptor #2. Oh, and get a diffuser as well, either something like the Lumiquest Softbox II (which seems to be quite good from what I've seen), or make your own - you might even want to try making LordV's Coca Cola diffuser (just search for posts mentioning coca cola for the user lordv).

Dave

dpastern wrote in post #3390849
Some good shots there Richard - agree with RM that stopping down will help with DOF, unless you're deliberately after that type of effect. You may want to try the 580 flash, and buy a flash bracket and Canon offshoe adaptor #2. Oh, and get a diffuser as well, either something like the Lumiquest Softbox II (which seems to be quite good from what I've seen), or make your own - you might even want to try making LordV's Coca Cola diffuser (just search for posts mentioning coca cola for the user lordv).

Dave

I own a 550EX! Can i do the same with the 550 as with the 580?

Yes.

Dave

dpastern wrote in post #3395151
Yes.

Dave

I will give it my best shot!!!

Any advice on (if i want to invest) what kind Macro lens wil be a good choice!

100mm f2.8 Macro.

Dave

I second the 100mm macro. It's an absolutely spectacular lens for insects, and it's priced pretty reasonably too.

Dave: you know you'd save yourself some time if you just put "Dave" in your signature

AirBrontosaurus wrote in post #3406545
I second the 100mm macro. It's an absolutely spectacular lens for insects, and it's priced pretty reasonably too.

Dave: you know you'd save yourself some time if you just put "Dave" in your signature

I will try to buy it on ebay... what is a good price for a second hand!