Faltering steps with new Macro [Archive]

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swac3

05-08-09, 21:47

Trying out my new macro lens, having trouble with the cam settings to get enough light in yet maintain a decent shutter speed then factor in the depth of field ! jees this is harder than i imagined, all shots currently hand held

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/Clown-4.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/Snail_5.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/Hermit_5.jpg

swac3

08-08-09, 09:12

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/RandallsGoby_close-2.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/RandallsGoby_close.jpg

swac3

08-08-09, 09:14

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/polyps_1.jpg

xvickyx

10-08-09, 14:07

Lovely photos :D

What kit do you have?

Reef bloke

11-08-09, 12:56

Increase the iso setting if you can without producing too much grain. What kit have you got as per xvickyx

swac3

13-08-09, 03:35

Its just a Canon 350d, but got the Canon 100mm macro a couple of weeks ago, love the new lens but its not quite point and shoot anymore :). previous
shots were handheld but a shiney new Manfrotto 55prob and 410 geared head arrived today so hopeing for some improvement.

Well here they are downsized and quality reduced for the forum.
Clove
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/Macro-clove.jpg
Gsp
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/Macro-gsp.jpg
Xenia
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/Macro-xenia.jpg
Tree
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/Macro-tree.jpg
Clown
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/Macro-clown.jpg

juls

13-08-09, 08:12

nice shots :applause:

Reef bloke

13-08-09, 13:34

With the 100mm lens try and keep the lens flat against the glass or as square to it as you can. Dont drop under F8 as the depth of field tends to work against you for tank shots i find.Try and mount the camera on a tripod or hold it against the glass to steady the camera for static coral shots and if it helps turn the pumps off. That way you can use a slightly slower shutter.
Hope you dont mind ive included a couple of shots i have taken with the same lens, using an off camera flash helps too.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q3/zebradart666.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/junelion.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/june%20acan%2002.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/juneduncan.jpg

Alastair

13-08-09, 13:48

With the off-camera flash.. are you putting it above the tank? (just guessing from the shadows in the last one)

Lovely smooth bokeh with that lens..

MATT2504

13-08-09, 13:55

Stunning :thumbsup:

swac3

13-08-09, 14:24

Err now you see thats what i'm looking for reefbloke !! Awesome shots there and just shows how far i have to go in learning the skills.
2'nd one is incredible
Thanks for the tips

Reef bloke

13-08-09, 16:00

Many thanks, yes Alastair I was mucking about with the flash above the tank just to experiment. Tried to throw a few shadows from above, not sure if it's worked but it's different.
The 100mm 2.8 macro is a great lens, handy for portraits too so shouldn't sit around in the bag for macro only.
It is a bit of a learning curve but keep cracking away and you will master it.

Alastair

13-08-09, 16:36

It's very effective.. and with the flash coming down through the water rather than forward through the glass a very good way of getting a lot of light and no reflections from the glass.

For anyone else wanting to try the off-camera flash technique Reef bloke has used.. I've found a source of cheap flashguns (around £30) that are recommended by several strobist sites for off-camera use. I've got a pair on order and will report back how succesful they are.

Ridgeway

13-08-09, 16:53