Shooting Macro 1:1?

BalSanghera

BalSanghera

Messages
1,241
Name
Bal Sanghera
Edit My Images
Yes
What do I need to know about shoting macro 1:1? I bought a mini studio kit from redsnapper and hopefully this weekend I want to try take some macro shots of some jewelry.

See sig for equipement list :)
 
You don't appear to have a lens capable of reproducing 1:1.
But if you did, dof is magnified, think f16 as a start if you want any kind of depth of focus, anything bigger doesn't produce much sharp.
A ring flash is very handy, focussing rails are too but not essential.
You'll need to consider focal length (working distance @ 1:1) although jewellery in a controlled environment is less challenging than grass hoppers in the back garden :)
 
(1) you will be working with a very limited depth of focus, so work in A mode and experiment with various apertures, monitering the results on the lcd.....
 
I thought as much, never done any macro stuff so might have to look at investing in a new lens... off to the alpha owners thread :)
 
How big are the items you wish to shoot?

If the dimensions are larger than 23.5 x 15.6 mm then there is no benefit in you shooting 1:1 - that is the size of the sensor in your camera and 1:1 records the image on the sensor exactly the same size as the subject.
 
Sigma ex macro 105mm :) Also doubles as a portrait lens. Needs decent light though, like most sigmas, or it'll be hunting for focus.
 
RichardtheSane said:
How big are the items you wish to shoot?

If the dimensions are larger than 23.5 x 15.6 mm then there is no benefit in you shooting 1:1 - that is the size of the sensor in your camera and 1:1 records the image on the sensor exactly the same size as the subject.
Click to expand...

They wont be huge just rings and other pieces of jewellery... Thinking about it I could probably get away without using a 1:1 macro lens as im only practicing and just want to start using this mini studio kit I bought.
 
You might get away with 'getting close' and then cropping to fill the frame.
 
BalSanghera said:
They wont be huge just rings and other pieces of jewellery... Thinking about it I could probably get away without using a 1:1 macro lens as im only practicing and just want to start using this mini studio kit I bought.
Click to expand...

Might be worth looking at a close up filter for one of your existing lenses - much cheaper than the macro lens option and allows you to see if you would actually need to go close.

Otherwise, get in close and crop is a very valid option that can produce good results - although both a benefit and a drawback (depending on what you want to achieve) is your final imge has greater DOF>
 
Just want to try something new so for now get in close and crop me thinks :thumbs:
 
Hi.
If you start by shooting jewellry the last thing you want is a full macro lens (1:1) Consider this, the DOF for 1:1 will be 2.64 mm. That is 1.32 mm fore ground and 1.32 mm background. Now the average ring is about 15 mm front to back. So 1:1 is NBG. Now 1:4 gives you 26.4 mm which is great for the job. Changing to a longer focal length makes no difference, it will be the same DOF and the same size.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top