MacRitchie (23 July 2007)

[Youhong]

Kudo to the macro pros out there, had my first attempt at insect shooting with my Tamron 90mm... Macro really isn't easy! Here's some of my attempts...

#1


#2


#3


#4

[Youhong]

#5


#6


#7


#8

[Youhong]

#9


#10


#11


#12

[zac08]

Try to get closer and stop down the lens more for a better DOF.

[tpchsg]

Nice

You must have spent a lot of time searching for the right shots.

[Youhong]

Originally Posted by zac08 Try to get closer and stop down the lens more for a better DOF.

This is the closest I can get... I've got no closeup filters/ extension tubes... (Using Tamron 90mm f2.8 1:1)

Was shooting at F8...

[Youhong]

Originally Posted by tpchsg Nice You must have spent a lot of time searching for the right shots.

Spent more time trying to focus...

[ming9866]

Question : Tamron 90mm f2.8 1:1 is a macro lens ? so if i buy a same lens like yours & put onto my alpha , can i get pics like these too ?

[Garion]

Good try, but try to step down more for more DOF ....and get CLOSER to the subject!

[Youhong]

Originally Posted by ming9866 Question : Tamron 90mm f2.8 1:1 is a macro lens ? so if i buy a same lens like yours & put onto my alpha , can i get pics like these too ?

Yes, this is a 1:1 lens... But the problem is that the AF is very slow...

[Youhong]

Originally Posted by Garion Good try, but try to step down more for more DOF ....and get CLOSER to the subject!

Can't get any closer liao... At minimum focusing distance le...

[Garion]

Originally Posted by Youhong Can't get any closer liao... At minimum focusing distance le...

Can lar...the pics dun look 1:1 to me leh.

[zac08]

Originally Posted by Youhong Can't get any closer liao... At minimum focusing distance le...

Did you enable full instead of limit??

[sumball]

should improve in controling the exposure than getting close.

[Youhong]

Originally Posted by sumball should improve in controling the exposure than getting close.

Over? Under? I thought the exposure looks ok to me...

[sumball]

You should not depend mainly on the flash light. You need to balance your flash light and the natural light.

Now, looking at the shots above, all suffer from harsh flash.

And the last three DF shots, the whites are blown.

[Youhong]

Originally Posted by sumball You should not depend mainly on the flash light. You need to balance your flash light and the natural light. Now, looking at the shots above, all suffer from harsh flash. And the last three DF shots, the whites are blown.

It was an overcast day then...

Will try with manual flash next time...

[sumball]

Problem is not lying with manual flash or auto flash.

It is the exposure you dial in.

Overcast day is good to get nice photos. This does not apply only to portraiture.

Flash is meant more for fill-flash to get rid of unwanted shadows, not to light up the subject.

[Bluesteel]

Hi Alvin.

Overall , it was a good first attempt for insect macro!

#1 to #8 suffer from insufficient DOF and are under exposed , you can see all are dark dark and the shallow DOF clearly on all the pic.

As suggested by others , try increase DOF by stopping down or alternatively taking the pictures at a lower angle and parallel the subject to the sensor from broadside so as to fully utilize the available DOF.

Dun be limited by other's recommended of best F setting , without knowing under what subject and condition those F setting are best at and the shutter speed , its value is as good as ZERO . Experiment with the F setting , open up if required to achieve the exposure you want, and if conditions are favorable, and you have the rare luxury of setting up a tripod, go to F8 to F11 by all means.

#9 to #12 suffer harsh flash. An overcast day is in fact ideal for Macro as the cloud act as a big diffuser to the sun and with proper control of you exposure and aperture you can get very well exposed shots. In Macro photography the flash light is generally use as a fill-flash with rear syn or second curtain to bring out the details of the subject.

As to the suggestion of getting closer for a 1:1 magnification , you are limited by the working distance of the T90, at 1:1 the focus distance from subject to sensor is around 29cm and your working distance (without hood)from the front lens element to the subject is around 12 cm. With the hood on , you are likely to be too close for comfort for most insects, other than perhaps spiders. to get into 1:1.

BTW though the DOF remains the same at a constant F setting , the coverage of the same DOF on the subject will decrease as you get closer. Meaning , as you move closer the subject becomes bigger and the same DOF covers less of it.

I do no know your setup and without the camera EXIF infor and exact lighting condition , it is difficult to help you with more detailed recommendations.

Hence the above are just general comments. Nevertheless, with more practice and post-shot self review , I am sure you will get to know your equipments, its limitations , the subject and the appropriate setting and approach to produce better pictures.

Thanks for sharing!

[Denosha]

That's definitely not the closest. At 1:1 on a crop camera, a macro lens should be able to more than fill your frame with a 10 cent coin.

Anyway, good first try.