Try Macro using Manual Mode

[Outlook]

Thanks for melvynyeo's advice of using maunal mode instead of Av mode to shoot macro. The subject was freezed pretty well. The BG is bit dark comparing to melvynyeo's pics. Need advices. Thanks.

#1


#2


#3


#4


#5

[Outlook]

Compared to this AV mode w/o flash. Av mode BG is nice.
#6

[kcuf2]

I think ur flash is a bit strong for pics 2 & 4.
The dof is quite shallow for pic 1.
For 3 &4, it would be better if u could go nearer and focus on them closer. currently, there is too much empty space. Something like ur shot 1 and 2 kind of closeness would be good.
for 6, its off focus and the colour is a bit dull, maybe like u mention, using flash will help

[Outlook]

Originally Posted by kcuf2 I think ur flash is a bit strong for pics 2 & 4. The dof is quite shallow for pic 1. For 3 &4, it would be better if u could go nearer and focus on them closer. currently, there is too much empty space. Something like ur shot 1 and 2 kind of closeness would be good. for 6, its off focus and the colour is a bit dull, maybe like u mention, using flash will help

Thanks, Kcuf2 for your comments.
Agree that #2, #4 flash was harsh.

#1. Agree the DOF was shallow. The setting was 1/100 F11. ISO 400. As shot from the front side, (not in the parallel plane of sensor) was expecting a clear head abd blur body. May try F16.

For #4, has a more closed-up pic, but I disturbed their happy moment.

For 6, foucs was on the flower and waiting for the bee to come. Take several shots, the bee was not in the DOF range. For the color, I personally like it.

[DarkForce]

Wow Outlook,

I love the 4th photos. Hope one day I can also capture that happy moment

Where do you normally shoot marco ?

[melvynyeo]

I think your flash is a tad harsh Using in-built flash?

For #1, I think no matter what aperture you use, the dof will still deem shallow due to the angle you shoot. Actually, the dof looks ok to me. For #2, flash is harsh... due to the angle you shoot, you can actually open the aperture to let in more natural light. F8 maybe? Or you can try iso 800 if you cam can handle noise.

Also to note, the further away you are from the subject, the better the DOF. So, for pict like #3, you can try maybe f5 to brighten the BG and reduce the harsh flash.

Actually, I only shoot at manual if the lighting is poor. If the lighting is good, I prefer to shoot at Av as this will produce brighter BG.

[DarkForce]

Originally Posted by melvynyeo I think your flash is a tad harsh Using in-built flash? For #1, I think no matter what aperture you use, the dof will still deem shallow due to the angle you shoot. Actually, the dof looks ok to me. For #2, flash is harsh... due to the angle you shoot, you can actually open the aperture to let in more natural light. F8 maybe? Or you can try iso 800 if you cam can handle noise. Also to note, the further away you are from the subject, the better the DOF. So, for pict like #3, you can try maybe f5 to brighten the BG and reduce the harsh flash. Actually, I only shoot at manual if the lighting is poor. If the lighting is good, I prefer to shoot at Av as this will produce brighter BG.

Agreed with you, if under the hot Sun especially around 12 noon, can use AV without problem at all

[Outlook]

Originally Posted by DarkForce Wow Outlook, I love the 4th photos. Hope one day I can also capture that happy moment Where do you normally shoot marco ?

Thanks, Darkforce. Normally, I shoot in AH. Will try BG and hope to see your set ups.

[Outlook]

Originally Posted by melvynyeo I think your flash is a tad harsh Using in-built flash? For #1, I think no matter what aperture you use, the dof will still deem shallow due to the angle you shoot. Actually, the dof looks ok to me. For #2, flash is harsh... due to the angle you shoot, you can actually open the aperture to let in more natural light. F8 maybe? Or you can try iso 800 if you cam can handle noise. Also to note, the further away you are from the subject, the better the DOF. So, for pict like #3, you can try maybe f5 to brighten the BG and reduce the harsh flash. Actually, I only shoot at manual if the lighting is poor. If the lighting is good, I prefer to shoot at Av as this will produce brighter BG.

Hi, melvyn. Thanks for the advices.

Previously, I used built-in flash + Av mode. This time, I used a normal external flash (no E-TTL) with some diffuser.

Thought macro uses > F8. For Pic #3 or #5 type, can I use F5 ? In that case, no flash will be needed.

My outing is around 8:00-9:00, the light is not good. Av will result in 1/50 ~1/60 @ F8-11 with ISO 800 and I cannot hold firmly with that.

Practice, practice .... Thanks for your help.

[sumball]

Originally Posted by melvynyeo Actually, I only shoot at manual if the lighting is poor. If the lighting is good, I prefer to shoot at Av as this will produce brighter BG.

LOL

Mel, no matter you are shooting in Av or M. the result is the same if the metering you use is the same as long as the exposure indication bar is in the middle.

eg. you set f8 in Av mode and you get 1/125s. I believe you will get the same exposure in M mode if you set both at f8 and 1/125s . But in M mode, you can force to use a higher speed like 1/160s or even 1/200s with slight underexpose. Anyway, you can also get f8 with 1/1200s in Av mode if you do compensation .

[DarkForce]

Originally Posted by Outlook Thanks, Darkforce. Normally, I shoot in AH. Will try BG and hope to see your set ups.

U mean u only want to see my setup only and don't want to see me ?

Just joking

Well, one day we shall meet then you can teach me how to shoot Marco

Thanks in advance

[Outlook]

Originally Posted by DarkForce U mean u only want to see my setup only and don't want to see me ? Just joking Well, one day we shall meet then you can teach me how to shoot Marco Thanks in advance

Haaaa, like to meet you too. To see how you hold that lens without big shaking. You are doing a good job in macro. Should learn from you.

[Outlook]

Originally Posted by sumball LOL Mel, no matter you are shooting in Av or M. the result is the same if the metering you use is the same as long as the exposure indication bar is in the middle. eg. you set f8 in Av mode and you get 1/125s. I believe you will get the same exposure in M mode if you set both at f8 and 1/125s . But in M mode, you can force to use a higher speed like 1/160s or even 1/200s with slight underexpose. Anyway, you can also get f8 with 1/1200s in Av mode if you do compensation .

Thanks, Sumball.

In Av mode, I can adjust the compensation to -2 max, and sometimes, still cannot get speed faster than 1/100 w F8 or F11. That is why I tried to switch to manual mode and let flash do the compensation. Found that the flash did a good job for the subject, but BG was dark.

Melvynyeo always get a fabulous result. Looking at what I am missing.

Is it really a need to set F to 8~16 (when subject is in plane with your sensor) ?

My previous shoots with Av + pop-up flash. Due to low speed, the image not sharp enough.
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=176456

[Outlook]

Originally Posted by DarkForce U mean u only want to see my setup only and don't want to see me ? Just joking Well, one day we shall meet then you can teach me how to shoot Marco Thanks in advance

Think can recognize you by your set-up if some day we meet ....

[DarkForce]

Originally Posted by Outlook Think can recognize you by your set-up if some day we meet ....

Like that har . Hmmmmm .... maybe I go get two hello kitty soft toy pouch to cover the two flashs in front. Then everyone sure look at me one.

[sumball]

Originally Posted by Outlook In Av mode, I can adjust the compensation to -2 max, and sometimes, still cannot get speed faster than 1/100 w F8 or F11. That is why I tried to switch to manual mode and let flash do the compensation. Found that the flash did a good job for the subject, but BG was dark.

Hi Andrew, do you know how dark and bad looking a pic is if the pic is under by 2-stop? hence, compensate by 2-stop is more than enough. In you case, perhaps you could up your ISO. For the f-stop setting, try not to go lower than f8 unless you want only a particular part of your subject is in focus, which I don't see a point shooting it then. Therefore, if you have already using ISO 800 (max for your 300D i think), or even 1600 with f5.6 or f.7.1 but still cant at least 1/125s... then I suggest to you either forget about shooting your subject, or compromise with the dark BG and shoot with the aid of the flash b'cos the lighting is really very very bad for a good shot. Without light, you can't get good pic especially macro / nature.

Originally Posted by Outlook Melvynyeo always get a fabulous result. Looking at what I am missing.

Practise and practise is the way to go....

Originally Posted by Outlook Is it really a need to set F to 8~16 (when subject is in plane with your sensor) ?

It is all depends on what you want to achieve. Of course you can. Photo below, I was shooting at ISO 100, 1/200s, f4 with Sigma 180mm on 10D. I am glad that I manage to get the tiny DF body to parallel with ny lens plane nicely to get the highest DOF.
This was shot at the shaded area in the nature reserve, the lighting was really very very bad, I choose ISO 100 cos under such lighting even ISO 400 will give my very noisy pic and I gotta shoot at 1/200s because of the position of the DF, it was about a feet from the ground level, cant prone, cant squat, cant... ops, nearly forget to mention that fortunely, I brought along my monopod. Hence, I chose to open up the aperture than up my ISO at that time.

Hope it helps.

Regards
CM

[DarkForce]

Originally Posted by sumball Hi Andrew, do you know how dark and bad looking a pic is if the pic is under by 2-stop? hence, compensate by 2-stop is more than enough. In you case, perhaps you could up your ISO. For the f-stop setting, try not to go lower than f8 unless you want only a particular part of your subject is in focus, which I don't see a point shooting it then. Therefore, if you have already using ISO 800 (max for your 300D i think), or even 1600 with f5.6 or f.7.1 but still cant at least 1/125s... then I suggest to you either forget about shooting your subject, or compromise with the dark BG and shoot with the aid of the flash b'cos the lighting is really very very bad for a good shot. Without light, you can get good pic especially macro / nature. Practise and practise is the way to go.... [/quote=Outlook] Is it really a need to set F to 8~16 (when subject is in plane with your sensor) ? It is all depends on what you want to achieve. Of course you can. Photo below, I was shooting at ISO 100, 1/200s, f4 with Sigma 180mm on 10D. I am glad that I manage to get the tiny DF body to parallel with ny lens plane nicely to get the highest DOF. This was shot at the shaded area in the nature reserve, the lighting was really very very bad, I choose ISO 100 cos under such lighting even ISO 400 will give my very noisy pic and I gotta shoot at 1/200s because of the position of the DF, it was about a feet from the ground level, cant prone, cant squat, cant... ops, nearly forget to mention that fortunely, I brought along my monopod. Hope it helps. Regards CM

Hi Sumball,

Just to let u know that beside Outlook, I also benefit and learn from reading your posting.

Thanks

[sumball]

Thats good. By the way, the MPE-65mm is in my list but I would think that it suit more as a lens for still life due to its fixed focusing lenght.

Shoot more and post more. :-)

[DarkForce]

Originally Posted by sumball Thats good. By the way, the MPE-65mm is in my list but I would think that it suit more as a lens for still life due to its fixed focusing lenght. Shoot more and post more. :-)

Agreed with that. Maybe it's me only that I find shooting insects with this lens really make me get excited cos I have to get very near and meanwhile feel scare too. Just enjoy and like that type of scare yet excited feeling loh

[Outlook]

Thanks, Sumball for your helpful and detailed posting. Will try in the next shoot. Your macro pics are super. Need time to catch up. Thanks.

Originally Posted by sumball Hi Andrew, do you know how dark and bad looking a pic is if the pic is under by 2-stop? hence, compensate by 2-stop is more than enough. In you case, perhaps you could up your ISO. For the f-stop setting, try not to go lower than f8 unless you want only a particular part of your subject is in focus, which I don't see a point shooting it then. Therefore, if you have already using ISO 800 (max for your 300D i think), or even 1600 with f5.6 or f.7.1 but still cant at least 1/125s... then I suggest to you either forget about shooting your subject, or compromise with the dark BG and shoot with the aid of the flash b'cos the lighting is really very very bad for a good shot. Without light, you can't get good pic especially macro / nature. Practise and practise is the way to go.... It is all depends on what you want to achieve. Of course you can. Photo below, I was shooting at ISO 100, 1/200s, f4 with Sigma 180mm on 10D. I am glad that I manage to get the tiny DF body to parallel with ny lens plane nicely to get the highest DOF. This was shot at the shaded area in the nature reserve, the lighting was really very very bad, I choose ISO 100 cos under such lighting even ISO 400 will give my very noisy pic and I gotta shoot at 1/200s because of the position of the DF, it was about a feet from the ground level, cant prone, cant squat, cant... ops, nearly forget to mention that fortunely, I brought along my monopod. Hence, I chose to open up the aperture than up my ISO at that time. Hope it helps. Regards CM