Marco shooting

[blurblur]

Hi, I just brought a marco len, but dun know how to use it.

Is it just switch to Marco mode, then point & shoot?

If the len stated 90mm, then I must stand far far to shoot or can I go near to the object (like insect). Cos I see the pro here shoot the insect very very nice, some even can see the eye of the dragonfly.


Can any pro here teach me?

[DewaKarma]

ahh...new toy huh...

macro shots r always in MF mode. u need to focus manually. u need steady hands while shooting macro...if u shoot in AF mode...u need to stand further but ur pics wun be as sharp as when u focus in manual mode ..when u can move up close and personal to the object u r taking...

[LTG]

Originally Posted by blurblur Hi, I just brought a marco len, but dun know how to use it. Is it just switch to Marco mode, then point & shoot? If the len stated 90mm, then I must stand far far to shoot or can I go near to the object (like insect). Cos I see the pro here shoot the insect very very nice, some even can see the eye of the dragonfly. Can any pro here teach me?

Buy a steady tripod 1st... unless using flash...

[nysheng]

i think u would still be a long way from shooting the eye of a dragonfly..haha..cause that requires skill, patience and equipment..
macro shots are most often taken in manual mode cause the AF might accidentally try to focus on the bg and not ur object.
also one other thing which is almost a must for shooting macro is a remote control.. if u dun have this, i almost guarantee u that all ur macro shots will be blur...
for macro shots, simplicity is the key...try and experiment first and see what works and wat doesn't.
u can take wonderful macro shots of anything around u...even ur stationery.
have fun =)

[blurblur]

Originally Posted by nysheng i think u would still be a long way from shooting the eye of a dragonfly..haha..cause that requires skill, patience and equipment.. macro shots are most often taken in manual mode cause the AF might accidentally try to focus on the bg and not ur object. also one other thing which is almost a must for shooting macro is a remote control.. if u dun have this, i almost guarantee u that all ur macro shots will be blur... for macro shots, simplicity is the key...try and experiment first and see what works and wat doesn't. u can take wonderful macro shots of anything around u...even ur stationery. have fun =)

Thanks bro.

Lucky I have a remote control

[BigRooster]

Originally Posted by blurblur Hi, I just brought a marco len, but dun know how to use it. Is it just switch to Marco mode, then point & shoot? If the len stated 90mm, then I must stand far far to shoot or can I go near to the object (like insect). Cos I see the pro here shoot the insect very very nice, some even can see the eye of the dragonfly.

You mean switch to the Macro mode with the 'flower'? I have known in general people using Manual or Aperture Priority ... more control. Using Macro mode is to let the camera decide aperture etc for you.

For the focusing, as fellow CSers have pointed out, MF may be the way to go, and again, for more control and maybe accuracy.

You need very steady hands, but more often, a tripod+remote cable release will be very helpful.

Experience more and learn along the way ... me learning too

[nysheng]

oh yeah.. forgot to mention.. haha.. i'm a fan of macro shots too..mayb u can check out my shots and tell mi what u think =)
and if u haven't gotten a good tripod by now...u should go get it. haha
tripod, remote control are a must for macro shooting

[zac08]

Not really...

my macro shots are largely done handheld and with a flash. This gives me the control to move about fast and shoot the insects before they skitter off...

With macro shooting, you have to note the aperture choice and also the amount of light you need to get the subject lit up. If there is not enough light, then I'd suggest using a flash to light up the scene.

Practise on still life objects and see if you can get it into sharp focus first. Then move on progressively to less skitterish insects like ants, spiders, etc before you take on more difficult subjects like butterflies, dragonflies, etc...

[Rashkae]

First thing to learn is that's it's "Macro", not "Marco".

[cantaresg]

For me, if I am shooting insects, i'd use a monopod or handheld. More often than never, the subject I am taking will have taken off well before I can get the tripod set up. I only use tripod on occasions where I am very sure that my subject will not fly off, ie when they are resting or feeding.

[blurblur]

Originally Posted by Rashkae First thing to learn is that's it's "Macro", not "Marco".

Haaaaaaaaaaaa

My singlish is good rite

[blurblur]

Now i have the camera, tripod, flash, remote control. Will test it on my flower.

Maybe use sticky glue to catch fly for testing. haaaaaaaaaa

[Luenny]

Originally Posted by zac08 my macro shots are largely done handheld and with a flash. This gives me the control to move about fast and shoot the insects before they skitter off...

I agree. Macro with flash can replace tripod. Sometimes I set up tripod for the things that won't run away like flowers and plants. I never use a remote control or cable release - got a very stable tripod.

Oh, when doing macro, DOF becomes very important. Do bare that in mind.

[bedrock]

i always use a tripod & remote control and no flash for my macro shoot. need some time n patience to set everything up so practise on flowers first. also beware of wind. any slight movement of the flower may cause blurness if your shutter speed is low.

also review and do exposure compensation if neccesary