Need help for Macro Shots !

[myloplex]

Hi experts. Need help. Can't seem to get my pictures sharp esp the bees.
thxs

1) HOW TO GET THE FLY'S WHOLE BODY SHARP ?
EF 100.0 mm macro
AF point -> Fly Center Body
NO Flash ISO 800, Av Priority, EV +1, Tv 1/350, Av 4.0


2) HOW TO GET THE BEE'S WHOLE BODY SHARP ?
EF 100.0 mm macro
AF point -> Bee's bum
Flash ON (Direct, ETTL H-Sync) ISO 100, Av Priority, EV 0, Tv 1/125, Av 4.0


3) HOW TO GET THE BEE'S WHOLE BODY SHARP ?
EF 100.0 mm macro
AF point -> Bee's eye
Flash ON (Direct, ETTL H-Sync) ISO 200, Av Priority, EV 0, Tv 1/250, Av 4.0


4) HOW TO GET THE WHOLE FLOWER SHARP ?
EF 100.0 mm macro
AF point -> Flower Center
Flash ON (Direct, ETTL H-Sync) ISO 400, Av Priority, EV +1, Tv 1/180, Av 4.5

[azone]

For macros, try Manual mode, F11-F16, 1/160. Move the camera to and fro the subject slowly. When the subject appears sharp in the viewfinder, press the shutter. As for the flash, try using an omni-bounce along with it.

The small apertures are required to keep the whole insect in focus.

[carrot^]

dude... don't post big pix can? screw up my screen...


anyway, notice that you are using f/4 for most of ur shot, you shld try using a smaller aperture next time....

however, aperture is not the only thing that controls the DOF so... have fun!

[myloplex]

Originally Posted by azone For macros, try Manual mode, F11-F16, 1/160. Move the camera to and fro the subject slowly. When the subject appears sharp in the viewfinder, press the shutter. As for the flash, try using an omni-bounce along with it. The small apertures are required to keep the whole insect in focus.

omni-bounce ? No where to bounce off leh. Use it direct ?

[SuperRaY]

attach a bounce card to your flash lor

[ahbeng]

alternatively, try using ai focus

[myloplex]

Originally Posted by SuperRaY attach a bounce card to your flash lor

my pics the flash too harsh hence you recommend bounce flash ?

[togu]

Look at Azone's post again, there's a key to a very good guide on macro photography.

[Sgt. Pepper]

Originally Posted by ahbeng alternatively, try using ai focus

I'd rather use MF.

Avoid high ISO as much as possible. In macros, you have to get as much detail as possible.
You may use direct flash why not, esp on higher magnification. But, you must know when to compensate the flash output.

For the first shot, I wonder how you get the exposure setting? try to stay at EV 0 or -1, to avoid blown highlights.

There are some instances wherein you need to shoot at open aperture for macro as long as you know what you're doin, but most of the times, if your intension is to get the subject sharp, shoot at f8 or smaller and compensate the light loss by the flash or slower shutter speed.

[Sgt. Pepper]

Originally Posted by myloplex my pics the flash too harsh hence you recommend bounce flash ?

Omnibounce may only solve 10% of your exposure problem, the 90% should be based on how do understand your own camera metering. E.g. You should only dial +EV if you are metering (partial/spot) on a lighter tone/color. But if you're using evaluative metering, just stay at EV0 and you're safe.

I think this discussion should not be in this section.

[azone]

Originally Posted by myloplex omni-bounce ? No where to bounce off leh. Use it direct ?

Yes, an omni-bounce diffuser. See here:
http://www.omni-bounce.com/

Point your flash head direct. The diffuser will diffuse and distribute the flash light evenly. It sort of creates a warm effect, much like that of natural sunlight.

You may need to do some flash compensation on your cam as canon's flash metering for macros doesn't seems quite consistent. Not sure about 10D, but D30 tends to underexpose if the aperture is set at f14 and above at times.

[myloplex]

Originally Posted by azone Yes, an omni-bounce diffuser. See here: http://www.omni-bounce.com/ Point your flash head direct. The diffuser will diffuse and distribute the flash light evenly. It sort of creates a warm effect, much like that of natural sunlight. You may need to do some flash compensation on your cam as canon's flash metering for macros doesn't seems quite consistent. Not sure about 10D, but D30 tends to underexpose if the aperture is set at f14 and above at times.

I read you macro guide and noticed you used +4 +10 etc...filters alot.
I see your camera uses a zoom lense.

But if I'm using a EF 100mm macro lense (fixed length) ..can I Stack X2 +4 like you do ?
Would this cause any problems ?

[megaweb]

Originally Posted by myloplex I read you macro guide and noticed you used +4 +10 etc...filters alot. I see your camera uses a zoom lense. But if I'm using a EF 100mm macro lense (fixed length) ..can I Stack X2 +4 like you do ? Would this cause any problems ?

No ..... do not use closeup filter onto a 100mm macro lens, it dun work well in macro ...

try
10D + 100mm macro + flash + Omni-bounce
mode : manual
settings : 1/160sec + f8 to f/16
ISO : 100 to 400 depend on lighting

set to MF and move ur self near to the object abt 1 feet away and start to focus the object ...

[azone]

Originally Posted by myloplex I read you macro guide and noticed you used +4 +10 etc...filters alot. I see your camera uses a zoom lense. But if I'm using a EF 100mm macro lense (fixed length) ..can I Stack X2 +4 like you do ? Would this cause any problems ?

The settings and equipments used in the guide are more for prosumer digital cameras. However, the technique of using Manual Focus, and moving your cam slowly to and fro to get the object in focus is the same.

For SLR/DSLR, your 100mm macro lens is the perfect tool. Follow mega's info and try it out.

[fevernova]

I think the hardest part is that how did you guys manage to capture these insects not moving?? I never get a chance...They always fly away upon my approach...

[OzOn3]

Originally Posted by fevernova I think the hardest part is that how did you guys manage to capture these insects not moving?? I never get a chance...They always fly away upon my approach...

Haha.. Same problem..

[myloplex]

i sprayed them with muscle cramp spray to freeze them

[Garion]

Originally Posted by fevernova I think the hardest part is that how did you guys manage to capture these insects not moving?? I never get a chance...They always fly away upon my approach...

Coat yourself with honey and sugar and put some flowers on your hat/shirt/belt. The insects will definitely find you hard to resist! j/k only hehe...dun follow my advice literally.

[espn]

Resize the pictures please. It's a bit too big. 640x480 ratio will do just fine.

To snap these buggers, firstly you have to be very quiet ... and also keep a lookout for where they land, normally they'll be there for a few secs, have to be fast then snap. It took me a few minutes before I get my target shot (pun intended) also.

[Kira]

Originally Posted by myloplex i sprayed them with muscle cramp spray to freeze them

That's a big no no..... Shoots of nature should, as the name suggest, natural... If there's any manipulation, I'm sure the experts like magaweb can spot it miles away....

Anyway, you have a DOF problem. This is due to your short focus distance and too big an aperature used. Generally, for macro, we always use an aperature setting of f8-f22, depanding on the magnification.

I think megaweb have given you a some advice here. Also, you can do a search and look for other past threat dealing with macro shoots...

Or lastly, can meet up with me during lunch in NUS and I'll share my experience in taking macro... Hehehehhehe