Approve the Cookies
This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and our Privacy Policy.
OK
Forums  •   • New posts  •   • RTAT  •   • 'Best of'  •   • Gallery  •   • Gear
Guest
Forums  •   • New posts  •   • RTAT  •   • 'Best of'  •   • Gallery  •   • Gear
Register to forums    Log in

 
FORUMS Cameras, Lenses & Accessories Canon G-series Digital Cameras 
Thread started 12 Apr 2005 (Tuesday) 01:08
Search threadPrev/next
sponsored links (only for non-logged)

Macro photography focusing & lenses

 
algae
Hatchling
2 posts
Joined Apr 2005
Location: Northern Indiana
     
Apr 12, 2005 01:08 |  #1

I am using a Canon G5 with the ring flash to take macro photos of coins. The manual is confusing me as to what settings I should be using. On the page entitled Macro Mode it says to press the "flower button" to enter Macro Mode, but it does not say anything about what to set the mode dial at (Auto, P, Av, M ?) I am trying to get very crisp photos of the surface of the coin, or a particular area of a coin or the edge reeding, so focus is critical for detail. Invariably when I begin to take a picture the focus goes in and out and invariably ends up out of focus. Then when I push the manual focus button, the camera goes out of macro mode and I have great difficulty getting the image as seen through the viewer in crisp focus. I have diopters of 1, 2, 4, & 10 which I have tried at various zooms, but the focusing is still the issue. Am I doing something wrong? The manual also mentions the 250D close-up lens which "makes macro shooting easier". From other threads it would seem that this lens is merely a +4 diopter. Is that true or does it somehow allow easier focusing and why is the range in macro mode as close as 2 inches but with the 250D it becomes almost 4 inches? It doesn't seem to make sense that in putting on a close-up lens you have to get farther from the object.




  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
gkuenning
Goldmember
Avatar
1,507 posts
Gallery: 4 photos
Likes: 70
Joined Jan 2005
Location: Claremont (near LA), California
     
Apr 12, 2005 07:55 |  #2

The camera goes out of macro ("flower") mode when you choose manual focus because in MF mode, you have the full range from macro to infinity all on one dial.

Here's one suggestion that I haven't tried: cover your subject with a white card that has a few (1-3) strong black lines in the focusing area. Orient the card with the black lines "vertical" to the LCD image. In any mode except Auto, press the shutter button halfway and hold it, then press the MF button and release the shutter. Pressing halfway should cause the camera to focus on the thin card. Pressing MF locks the focus. Now you can remove the card and take your shot.

This is also a good place for focus bracketing. You may also want to go into Av and pick f/8 to get a bit more depth of field.


Geoff
All I want is a 10-2000 f/0.5L with no distortion that weighs 100 grams, fits in my pocket, and costs $300. Is that too much to ask?

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
algae
THREAD ­ STARTER
Hatchling
2 posts
Joined Apr 2005
Location: Northern Indiana
     
Apr 12, 2005 20:03 as a reply to  @ gkuenning's post |  #3

gkuenning wrote:
The camera goes out of macro ("flower") mode when you choose manual focus because in MF mode, you have the full range from macro to infinity all on one dial.

Here's one suggestion that I haven't tried: cover your subject with a white card that has a few (1-3) strong black lines in the focusing area. Orient the card with the black lines "vertical" to the LCD image. In any mode except Auto, press the shutter button halfway and hold it, then press the MF button and release the shutter. Pressing halfway should cause the camera to focus on the thin card. Pressing MF locks the focus. Now you can remove the card and take your shot.

This is also a good place for focus bracketing. You may also want to go into Av and pick f/8 to get a bit more depth of field.

I will try this. I can see that this would give you a very distinct object to focus on. I was rather hoping to be able to just pop a coin under my set up and snap away, one after the other, but that might be a little beyond the state of the art this time. At least I won't be chewing up film by bracketing focus. Thanks for the good tips.

Lou




  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
Flagpole
Member
112 posts
Joined Mar 2003
Location: Sydney, Australia
     
Apr 13, 2005 06:21 |  #4

G'day!

Check this page out http://www.lensmateonl​ine.com/G3G5macrocomp.​html (external link)

Flagpole


G2, 420EX, Tiffen 0.75x & 2.0x, Lumiquest Pro Max

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
PhotosGuy
Cream of the Crop, R.I.P.
Avatar
75,941 posts
Gallery: 8 photos
Likes: 2611
Joined Feb 2004
Location: Middle of Michigan
     
Apr 13, 2005 07:29 |  #5

Have you tried using indirect lighting? It would also give you a higher light level for focusing.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=67249


FrankC - 20D, RAW, Manual everything...
Classic Carz, Racing, Air Show, Flowers.
Find the light... A few Car Lighting Tips, and MOVE YOUR FEET!
Have you thought about making your own book? // Need an exposure crutch?
New Image Size Limits: Image must not exceed 1600 pixels on any side.

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
sponsored links (only for non-logged)

1,816 views & 0 likes for this thread, 4 members have posted to it.
Macro photography focusing & lenses
FORUMS Cameras, Lenses & Accessories Canon G-series Digital Cameras 
AAA
x 1600
y 1600

Jump to forum...   •  Rules   •  Forums   •  New posts   •  RTAT   •  'Best of'   •  Gallery   •  Gear   •  Reviews   •  Member list   •  Polls   •  Image rules   •  Search   •  Password reset   •  Home

Not a member yet?
Register to forums
Registered members may log in to forums and access all the features: full search, image upload, follow forums, own gear list and ratings, likes, more forums, private messaging, thread follow, notifications, own gallery, all settings, view hosted photos, own reviews, see more and do more... and all is free. Don't be a stranger - register now and start posting!


COOKIES DISCLAIMER: This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and to our privacy policy.
Privacy policy and cookie usage info.


POWERED BY AMASS forum software 2.58forum software
version 2.58 /
code and design
by Pekka Saarinen ©
for photography-on-the.net

Latest registered member was a spammer, and banned as such!
2527 guests, 97 members online
Simultaneous users record so far is 15,144, that happened on Nov 22, 2018

Photography-on-the.net Digital Photography Forums is the website for photographers and all who love great photos, camera and post processing techniques, gear talk, discussion and sharing. Professionals, hobbyists, newbies and those who don't even own a camera -- all are welcome regardless of skill, favourite brand, gear, gender or age. Registering and usage is free.