Noob Seeking Help

[BlackCloud]

Dear Seniors !

I am a noob who just venture into DSLR and got some noob questions that seek the seniors help. Hope you guys dun mind.:bsmilie:

Is the kit lens EF-S 18-55 IS able to take a close shot of an ant?

I tried using the function CloseUp, and shift my lens to be as close to the ant as possible. However, I am still unable to focus and depress the Shutter Button.

Is it something I din do or is it due to the limitation of the lens? :bsmilie:

Thanks !

 

[BlackCloud]

By the way, I am using a Canon EOS 450D. :bsmilie:

 

[Headshotzx]

How close is close?

This close:

or this close:

They are both about the same size btw. The first shot was my taken by a friend with his 450D + 18-55IS while the second shot is reverse-macro with my 85mm and 50mm.

To get something similar to the second shot, you'd need a dedicated macro lens that can go to 1:1, meaning the size of the object is the size of the image on the sensor, giving a larger image, making the ant look closer.

 

[Rashkae]

Dear Seniors !

I am a noob who just venture into DSLR and got some noob questions that seek the seniors help. Hope you guys dun mind.:bsmilie:

Is the kit lens EF-S 18-55 IS able to take a close shot of an ant?

I tried using the function CloseUp, and shift my lens to be as close to the ant as possible. However, I am still unable to focus and depress the Shutter Button.

Is it something I din do or is it due to the limitation of the lens? :bsmilie:

Thanks !

Do a google search for "MFD", or "minimum focus distance"

 

[BlackCloud]

Hahahaha !! Thanks Headshotzx ! I was just reading your thread on reverse-marco just now. It is amazing ! Hehehehe... :bsmilie:

First shot seems pretty good enuff for me at the moment.
How did your friend achieve that? I was not not able get a focus on the ants. :dunno:

 

[BlackCloud]

Do a google search for "MFD", or "minimum focus distance"

Thanks Rashkae. Seems like I need to maintain a minimum distance of 0.28m.
Hmmm.. That is like a ruler's length !

 

[tjhan]

0.28 metres always, set at max 55 mm focal length, and just crop if needed. 0.28 is actually pretty near already, many other lenses have further min focusing distances...

 

[lennyl]

Thanks Rashkae. Seems like I need to maintain a minimum distance of 0.28m.
Hmmm.. That is like a ruler's length !

Minimum focus distance is distance from object to sensor plane.

Minimum working distance is distance from object to front of lens.

Worth noting when you're shopping for a macro lens.

One way to figure out how big an object can be in your image with a certain lens is this:

1. Go to longest focal length

2. Switch to manual focus

3. Turn focus to closest distance (whatever it is - the other end from infinity )

4. Move camera forward / backwards until viewfinder shows subject in closest focus.

You won't be able to get a bigger view of subject with that lens.

As you discovered, the close up dial setting does not do much. Most macro photographers never used it. Macro is a huge topic - books have been written about it.

 

[BlackCloud]

Thanks ! You guys have given me a very valuable insight. :thumbsup:
I will try out again, and hope I can seek your guidance later :bsmilie:

 

[BlackCloud]

Hehehehe.. Headshotzx, I just noticed that the ant I was "chasing" with my kit lens was much smaller than the red ants from your 1st shot. Hehehehe... Its those small black kitchen ants. Hahhaha.. I will try again and hope to get a better shot. Thanks !