Macro Lens :: Did I make a mistake?

Matt Charlton

Matt Charlton

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I bought the Tamron 90mm a few months ago, did I make a mistake? should I have gotten the canon 100mm one instead?

I don't seem to be able to get anywhere near the results when I try as some other people, whether thats down to practise or just the equipment, I'm not so sure (yes I know a bad workman blames his tools) :P

Any thoughts?
 
Tripod tripod tripod. I thought I was doing something wrong, then gave that a whirl :D
I'm still doing lots wrong, but it's looking better...
 
Look marcel, I thought we agreed you weren't going to call me that on here, you're meant to keep that kinda talk to msn :(

I'll try it with the tripod this weekend then, cheers pal ;)
 
or high speed synch flash. I find a tripod to be too restrictive.
 
Tamron and Sigma macros are just fine, the canon is a fair bit more expensive, worth it if you use it a lot, I don't so have got sigma which does me more than fine...just get that little bit more reach too.
 
I had the same feeling when I bought my Sigma macro - the results were "challenging" to say the least. I think macro work is incredibly difficult and the superb results you see posted here, for example, often belies the amount of effort that’s gone into the shot.
 
actually I don't think I've tried much macro with the 430ex, certainly not any insects anyway.

I think I was talking more about the ability to get in close and the detail.

Heres some examples of stuff I've gotten in the past:

1
20060923162353_spider.jpg


2

20060815183426_snail.jpg


3

20060815183037_fairy.jpg


4

20060808082717_img_1326.jpg


5

20060806184541_img_1320.jpg


6

20060827001616_brid06.jpg


7

20060827001835_brid07.jpg
 
I've never used a tripod. The 430ex will make a world of difference though.

Stick the camera on manual and dial in ISO100, 1/200 and F11, aim for the eyes and take the shot. The flash will fill in what it needs. If you need a higher shutter speed you'll have to put the flash on high speed sync, but for most of my shots 1/200 is enough.
 
cheers Richard, I'll give that a go this weekend if I can find any willing subjects - its getting a bit cold for them now though :(
 
I've just started with the Canon 100m (bought due to some of the stunning shots I've seen on here) and it is a hell of a lot more difficult than I imagined. My recent bee shots took a fair bit of engineering and tripod manipulation (my lovely new manfrotto coming into its element!)

Darksabre your 90mm shots I've seen on here are also excellent...perservere and ye shall get there!
 
Darksaber said:
its getting a bit cold for them now though :(
Click to expand...

Still plenty of spiders around. They're invading the house at the moment, which is always a sign that it's getting cold out there :)

Water is the other thing that works well with a macro, if you're stuck in the house and bored :)

 
You definately haven't gone wrong with that lens.

You have to either use a tripod, or rest the camera on something sturdy.
Try using flash in manual mode as suggested, but remember too much flash
loses the background.

Here's one I took with my tamron.
MEP_C7E70700601.jpg


As you can see the flash has made the background almost black,
in this case it was deliberate, but if you want to keep the background
you will need to light it with more lighting.

Tip.
Light from the side
 
milou said:
I think macro work is incredibly difficult and the superb results you see posted here, for example, often belies the amount of effort that’s gone into the shot.
Click to expand...
You have hit the nail on the head there.
Macro photos take do require a lot skill and patience so it will take a while before you are even touching the limits of the lens.

I've found that F12-F14 is the best range for sharp photos. A smaller F number doesn't give you enough depth of field and beyond F14 softness starts to creep in.
 
Yeah I think I've been struggling with DoF on it, I've been using the smallest possible F number :bonk:
 
Macro is frustratingly difficult, you need to persevere and develop a logical technique before you start getting really good results. Hi speed flash sync can help a lot as Dod has said, but a lot still depends on how good your hand holding is... I don't think mine's particularly good at those ranges and magnifications.

I find a tripod is a must for really sharp shots, either by good available light, or flash. Accurate focusing is absolutely critical. Do persevere though, the great results when they start to come, are really satisfying. ;)
 
Swimming against the tide as always I'm going to suggest a mono + ball head instead. Tripods are just too much hassle, by the time you've set up the subject has long gone.

A mono can be used at all sorts of angles and still give enough stability to hold the focus for the shot. I use a combination of rocking back and forth to get in the general focus region, fine tune with the ring and then make final adjustments with small movements. If you're focusing on the eyes you can either watch for the catchlight to get sharp or you'll see a pixelation effect when the compound cells are in focus. Of course it's a bit easier if there's some pollen on the eyes :)

195242393_89f7001986.jpg
 
CT said:
Macro is frustratingly difficult,

I find a tripod is a must for really sharp shots, either by good available light, or flash.
Click to expand...

Hammer/Nail/Head. ;)

Most people can get a decent portrait or landscape shot but macro is a work of art and choose how I tried a tripod is a must for me..

I too was struggling really hard to the extent that I gave up for a while but patients is the answer. Having a sturdy mount via either a tripod or monopod is a must then it all came together at once..:)

red-eyes.jpg
 
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