For Ring Shots: How Do You Know the Diamond is in Focus?

1. I just did my first real experimenting with ring shots and I spent more than 1 minute between shots to see where to get the shine of the diamond the best. Does anyone have a strategy for this?

2. Also, I don't have a macro lens, so I used the 85 1.8 and had to manual focus and stand back a little. Do you carry a macro lens with you for the tight ring shots or hope for the best with what you have? And do you manual focus?

Thanks, in advance for suggestions. I will repost my ring shots from the general chat in a few minutes.

I used a macro lens and stopped down to make sure it was in focus. It is tricky to get the focus right on.

Thanks, Chandler.

Here is the shot I got

Suzie,

I like this composition...I agree on stopping down to get the focus right...the keeper ring shot from my last wedding was with the 85MM f/1.8 and I shot it at f/2.2...and, it was a little soft on the rings in the foreground with sharp flowers in the background...a lesson learned for the next one.

Thanks, Jim. I think the zoom button on the 5D really helped with my focus this time. So, the 85 wasn't too bad. But stepping down is the right choice.

I went for quite a while without a macro lens. My ring shots were so-so. Then I finally bit the bullet and got a real macro and the ease and accuracy of the ring shots went up tenfold! The 60mm is a KILLER lens! I can handhold it at 1/50... which you'll have a very hard time doing with the 100mm. Also, when you get to be THAT close to your object, manual focus is a snap, and you can see quite clearly if and when the diamond is in focus. I strongly suggest a dedicated macro...

Thanks, Lloyd. Jim said he'd lend me his 100 macro if I need it, but I am still thinking of getting one myself. You prefer the 60?

SuzyView wrote in post #3841618
Thanks, Lloyd. Jim said he'd lend me his 100 macro if I need it, but I am still thinking of getting one myself. You prefer the 60?

Suzie,

The 60MM has to be easier to handhold then the 100MM...when I look through the viewfinder on the 100MM on the 30D...the target is moving all over the place...it really does magnify! I have learned that fast shutter speeds or a tripod/monopod are a must to nail a sharp close up shot with it.

I choose the 100MM as I felt the 60MM was just too close in FL to my 50MM f/1.4 and at the time I did not own the 135MM (another AMEX Rewards freebe as was the 100MM)

SuzyView wrote in post #3841618
Thanks, Lloyd. Jim said he'd lend me his 100 macro if I need it, but I am still thinking of getting one myself. You prefer the 60?

well, it's the only EOS macro that I've owned so I can't really comment. I just know that I couldn't handhold a 100mm at 1/50, you'd need at least 1/100 and that cuts you down on a stop. But since you have FF and film, then the 100 probably makes sense.

What some do, instead of buying a macro lens, is they just take their compact point and shoot. Those usually have macro modes, and their small sensors give you a few stops of extra DOF. I've done that once or twice and the results are great. All canon point and shoots give great image quality. I used an A40 and A540. Both stellar.

I actually have a A530 so I think that's a possibility. Thanks.

SuzyView wrote in post #3841717
I actually have a A530 so I think that's a possibility. Thanks.

Awesome! A530 is 5mp I believe? Which is more than enough.

Next time, take your ring shots like you usually do just in case, and then take a couple with the A530 on macro mode and do a comparison to see if it gives you any added benefit!

I am going to try it on Monday when I get a moment. It took me over an hour to get a few shots on Thursday. I never did ring shots before because most people I shoot don't have nice rings, but that's not the point, is it?

I use the 100mm F2.8 Macro, rested on a table or somewhere to brace it. Sometimes I bounce on flash off the ceiling and get F8. Other times I put a slaved speedlite above the rings pointing down at some angle and get F32. Even at F32 not everything's in focus.

Thanks, Lloyd & Tim. I will take all the above advice, even see if I can borrow Jim's 100 macro and will experiment. Since most ring shots are indoors, the flash above off camera sounds like the right idea. The ring shot above was taken outside with diffused sunlight and it worked well. I still think the focus on the diamond with the correct angle of light is the key, but we don't get many choices or time at the weddings. I will report when I get some results.