Disappointed with my macro outcome!

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Joshuashaw

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Joshua Shaw
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I'll post some if needed, but they are terrible, some of the pics I've taken with my Sigma 105mm on my D80 which Papa Christmas brought me, I've found the they are sharp in one certain part of the photo, but the rest it's out of focus and blurred, and it's the problem with 99% of all the photos I've took so far with it. I've tried experimenting with manual & auto-focus. What is my problem? I do understand it takes a while to progress with macro photography. Any help much appreciated, thanks in advance.
 
This is normal, you have a very thin depth of field.

Stopping down to f/22 will make more appear in focus.
 
I'm no expert, and posting one up will help the more able Macro photographers answer the question, but the Depth of Field at the close ranges involved in Macro is painfully shallow, this means that you'll get what you've found. I don't have a proper Macro lens, but the Raynox and my 55-250 works pretty well, and even pushing the lens and aperture to silly settings like f32 (minimum possible) I still can't get the entire field of view (unless it's a flat surface) in focus.
 
Welcome to macro, sounds like you have just discovered how narrow the focal plane is when you start to magnify. You need to get the focal plane lined up to give you the best results and it will come with practise. Use a shutter of 1/200 @ f11 and use flash diffused. Manual focus moving the whole camera in or out to get focus. Oh and practise some more ;) Don't use a f stop above f16 as your shots will get soft cause by diffraction @1:1.
 
If you post some of the photos that you're talking about, you'll be able to get a sure answer, but by the sounds of it you're just setting the aperture too big (the f-number is too small). It can be used to great effect! It depends on the situation, and what you're shooting that determines what aperture to use to freeze motion and blur the background at the same time!

Chris
 
yep,this macro business certainly takes some getting used to....listen to alby(Ajophotog)as he's the master of all things macro around here.

as been said...post your shots in the macro section for C+C,and you will get all the help you need :thumbs:
 
Sorry may sound stooopid, but what's diffused flash, and whats the symbol I need to look for when I keep my finger on the flash button and scroll the main command dial on the D80? Cheers
 
What aperture are you using because the zone of sharp focus when usuing a macro lens close up can be tiny even with a small aperture.Take 2 shots one at f2.8 and one at the smallest aperture that should give you an idea of the aperture you need to use to get the effect you are after
 
Joshuashaw said:
Sorry may sound stooopid, but what's diffused flash, and whats the symbol I need to look for when I keep my finger on the flash button and scroll the main command dial on the D80? Cheers
Click to expand...

diffused flash is basically a softened flash that's not harsh on your shots.there are several ways of diffusing a flash,but i like to use a sto-fen diffuser mounted on a tripod as you otherwise risk getting a shadow cast on your subject.this may not be the best explanation available,and i'm sure someone with more experience will explain it better....

here's a shot i took a few months ago with a diffused flash,hand held by my better half whilst on hols..i think it was shot at F/11

DSC01311.jpg
 
You need to put your camera in Manual and dial in the shutter and aperture, diffused flash is normal flash with some extra material like a peice of kitchen towel or a purpose built diffuser like the Sto-Fen make. I tend to just use an old milk carton cut up and it just softens the harsh flash light.
 
I am only using a on board flash, does it matter? I don't really have a prob with flash at the minute.
 
Joshuashaw said:
I am only using a on board flash, does it matter? I don't really have a prob with flash at the minute.
Click to expand...

You don't need to but diffusing the flash will soften that light and make you shots look more natural. Here is a shot of my Panasonic with a milk carton duffuser. It's a simple thing to make and you will benifit from the results. Linky
 
I get you, I'm sorry I just presumed diffusers or homemade ones are for external flash devices. I wish I could have a better understanding of DoF & aperture, I've read so many articles about both, but I just can't get the gyst of them into my head.
 
Josh, even a piece of kitchen roll across the on board will diffuse the flash nicely enough and stop it being so harsh, I often use that when using a reduced power on board to trigger an external flash or two ;)

btw, anyone know a good way of focus stacking macro shots? :thinking:
 
Another way to win a little more depth is to frame the subject less tightly and then crop in PP....you'd be surprised how much a relatively small reduction in magnification can help in getting more of the required subject within the DOF limits.

Bob
 
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