First Try Of Macro Lens

[Graelwyn]

I just decided to have a go at shooting my orchid ... only in camera flash and a bendy lamp, so sadly some sparkling on the petals and probably not great... tips needed for getting more in focus.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/graelwyn/IMG_0208.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/graelwyn/IMG_0215.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/graelwyn/IMG_0230.jpg

[.justin.]

try making one of baz's light boxes, they would make this pic sooo much better. but great choice of flower, and i cant tell if thats blur in no3 or not. other then that, good job :)

[Graelwyn]

Thanks, yes, shall be making one... didn't have the materials on this night.

[Graelwyn]

Really bad ?

[mav]

tips needed for getting more in focus.

try stopping the lens down more to give more depth of field

[Graelwyn]

I tried that in some shots and it didn't seem to much help. Not entirely sure where I am going wrong.

[4hero]

Looking at the exif, I would probably have went with iso100-200, f2.8 (presuming it's the Canon 100mm f2.8 you have)? Give it a whirl, the plant will be there for a while ;)

[Graelwyn]

Looking at the exif, I would probably have went with iso100-200, f2.8 (presuming it's the Canon 100mm f2.8 you have)? Give it a whirl, the plant will be there for a while ;)


Close. I have the 100mm f2.8 Tokina. Got just as good reviews. Might have another try with a tripod, just worried the orchid will die first lol.

[Shutterman]

Graelwyn

Not bad what so ever, no evidence of camera shake (Even with out tripod..), sharp and nice colours.

Keep them coming and as mentioned have a go with the lightbox, practice makes perfect...

Shutterman

[Graelwyn]

Yes, keep intending to make one of those if I can find a suitable box. I tend to be incredibly lazy about these things. lol.

[EdinburghGary]

The 1st is a great abstract, however white instead of grey background would have been better. Realise you have not created a lightbox etc, so you have made the most of what you had at the time.

Well done,

Gary.

[Shutterman]

Yes, keep intending to make one of those if I can find a suitable box. I tend to be incredibly lazy about these things. lol.

When you find one make the box and the images will look great when the subject is isolated....

Set this as your weekend project and post the results on Monday... force yourself to post the results... Its a good way to learn about the camera, and to be honest the D300 wont do much more than the 40D dont think about changing the camera as you will most likely have the same issues with any other one....

I keep thinking of upgrading but until I fully understand all aspects of what I am doing and can achieve the shots I want without severing off my head and kicking out the window, I will save my money and concentrate on improving my technical ability.

(Thats a mouthful for this time of night.....)


Shutterman

[Cuddy]

The white speckles may be pollen grains, nothing to much wrong with these. Certainly better than my first efforts, looks to be a good lens.

[Graelwyn]

Thanks, didn't think about pollen grains.I just got home, decided to try it, and to be honest, I was incredibly lazy and just shifted it around the room rather than making special effort to put it against something solid.

[Alliec]

Hi,

The shots are good, nice DOF, details and colour. Notice from your exif that your shooting at 1/30, i would struggle to get a sharp shot even with flash at that shutter speed. Try these settings in manual Mode, ISO100-200, f11, 1/200 and flash. You will more than likley get a black background if there is none close behind but with a flower like this it would make a nice contrast.

You may need to diffuse the flash to avoid it being to harsh, i have used some kitchen towel over the front of my Pop up flash before i got a dedicated flash.

[Duckydoodle]

Nice first try. I think using the tripod will improve these no end too but they're still good particularly for handheld. You must have a nice steady hand. Lovely colour and detail :thumbs:

[Baz777]

Kate, 2 and 3 the back ground is a little distracting.

No.1 though is a cracking shot :thumbs:

[Ajophotog]

Looks like you got some sound advice above Graelwyn. You first attemps aren't too bad either ;)

[Graelwyn]

Thanks and yeah the background is rubbish because I have tatty walls here and had nothing to put it in front of that might work better. I will be doing again in a more planned manner when I feel up to it :)