Hi...i am not only a newbie on this site but i am very much a newcomer to dlsr...i have recently bought a canon 400d...and my son is buying me a macro 60mm lens for my birthday ....a few tips for usage would be great!....many thanks....jackie
newbie...new macro.....
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Slapo
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- Peter
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- get as close as you can, but be sneaky
- diffuse your flash or use an external one
- a tripod with macro rail could be nice, but with 60 mm, you might need to get too close for a tripod to be actually useful
- if you'll be using the built in flash, don't forget your spare batteries
- dress in green (or something else to help you blend into the background)
- diffuse your flash or use an external one
- a tripod with macro rail could be nice, but with 60 mm, you might need to get too close for a tripod to be actually useful
- if you'll be using the built in flash, don't forget your spare batteries
- dress in green (or something else to help you blend into the background)
scraggs
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Hi Jackie
If you are doing insects, try not to cast a shadow over the subject.
Try shooting them early in the morning when its cold.
You usualy find that the af is of little use with macro, so I generally use manual focus to get a rough focus and then move the camera in or out to get the shot.
Most of all have fun with it.
If you are doing insects, try not to cast a shadow over the subject.
Try shooting them early in the morning when its cold.
You usualy find that the af is of little use with macro, so I generally use manual focus to get a rough focus and then move the camera in or out to get the shot.
Most of all have fun with it.
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Jackie,
Just to add a little to what the others have said.....
I find that f/8-f/11 is where this lens excels but don't drop your speed to much...shake becomes very evident with macro shots. If you can't shoot at the apertures suggested then bump up the ISO a notch or two.
Bob
Just to add a little to what the others have said.....
I find that f/8-f/11 is where this lens excels but don't drop your speed to much...shake becomes very evident with macro shots. If you can't shoot at the apertures suggested then bump up the ISO a notch or two.
Bob
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glynjones
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A tripod is a must to get any sort of clarity - any camera shake is magnified by a huge amount with macro lenses
As you're using digital my best advice would be simply to play - take loads of shots, experiment with different angles, depth of field etc and then look at the results instantly
I've always found that once you've roughly focused with the lens (and you have to manually focus, autofocus is hopeless here) then fine tuning is easier by moving either the lens or the subject
A focusing rack is really useful, but pricey - if you are keen on macro though they're worth it - I can recommend the Novoflex castel-mini, they're £93 from speedgraphic, but have a look around
As you're using digital my best advice would be simply to play - take loads of shots, experiment with different angles, depth of field etc and then look at the results instantly
I've always found that once you've roughly focused with the lens (and you have to manually focus, autofocus is hopeless here) then fine tuning is easier by moving either the lens or the subject
A focusing rack is really useful, but pricey - if you are keen on macro though they're worth it - I can recommend the Novoflex castel-mini, they're £93 from speedgraphic, but have a look around
On breath holding.......... When I was taught to shoot[a long time ago and its another story!] the principal is to take a deep breath and breath out half way only. With practice your heart rate drops as well. This helps to maintain a steader hand/body as you are not breathing for the second or so and the muscles have a large ingestion of oxygen.
Dunc
Dunc