Self portrait advice

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gercam

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Gerry
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Another probably daft question. I am trying to take a self portrait and really struggling. I am doing it in aperture priority mode with self timer. I am using my macro 60mm lens. They are all out of focus. I have a canon 40d.
Can anyone give me an idiots guide to help please?
 
I would probably manually focus on an object of similar distance and use a high f number to increase dof.
 
How are you focusing?
I do mine on single shot AF. Plonk myself in front of the lens and press the AFON button with one hand untill it beeps and then shoot with a remote. (I have back button focusing enabled, so cant focus and shoot with the remote, only shoot). This is with a 100mm macro lens. You should be able to look down the lens and see yourself reflected in the mirror to get the focus point somewhere near where you want it. Both shots below were done this way.

 
TCR4x4 said:
How are you focusing?
I do mine on single shot AF. Plonk myself in front of the lens and press the AFON button with one hand untill it beeps and then shoot with a remote. (I have back button focusing enabled, so cant focus and shoot with the remote, only shoot). This is with a 100mm macro lens. You should be able to look down the lens and see yourself reflected in the mirror to get the focus point somewhere near where you want it. Both shots below were done this way.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tcr4x4/5692455183/
Self Portrait desat by TCR4x4, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tcr4x4/5407767408/
Self Portrait Half face by TCR4x4, on Flickr
Click to expand...

Thanks for advice. I don't have a remote - is self timer not as good? Is on single shot - I am trying to focus on something then setting timer and going into frame. Think I am not doing focus lock properly
 
Yeah without a remote will work. Not sure how close the 60mm focuses, but try sitting in front then with your left hand focus with the shutter button and fire when it beeps.
 
Aaaaahhhh this is driving me nuts. I still can't get in focus. Am I being very silly- maybe need basic directions??
 
You are set to AF, aren't you?

Stranger things have happened ;)
 
There is no reason why it wont focus on you if you in front of the lens and focus it when you are there, unless as stated, you dont have it on autofocus. Or you might be too close to the lens.
 
Am using macro 60mm lens- how far away should I be? Am about 20-30" away. Camera is fine when focussing on someone/something else
 
Is it possible that you're set to AF-S (the Nikon term, it's the 'non tracking' AF) and you lean forward to press the shutter?
The AF locks on to you as you are leaning forward, then you sit back behind the focus point ready to be snapped.
 
Okay I think I have worked out that I was too close. Do I just crop image afterwards then to get closeup- if you know what I mean.

Thanks for all advice- greatly received
 
Its a macro lens, it should already be close up. This may be the limitation of the 60mm though. None of mine are cropped.
 
Try YOUTUBE for some videos on how to focus etc.
 
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