Drugging insects

Derek W

Derek W

Derek W

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I decided to get the canon 100 mm f2.8 macro lens yesterday and just got home so thought I'd pop into the garden to see what this lens can do.

First up WOW for what I've seen so far but what I'd like to know is how do you guys get the cracking shots of dragonflies, spiders etc etc. Since I've just got the lens I fired off a quick few shots and although I've seen its recommended that you should use a tripod and a remote trigger to minimise camera shake etc, its just not practical when taking shots of insects.

heres one of a bee

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A flower

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Tripods and such are generally only used if you're taking shots in a controlled environment where wind and any other movement won't be an issue.

For most shooting what you want is a flash and to use f8-f13, 1/200s ISO100-200. If it's really bright and you're shooting a larger subject like a butterfly or dragonfly then natural light (NL) may be sufficent.

With NL the background will be much more visible so you can get some nice colours but it's harder to seperate the subject, with the flash the background is much darker, often black.

Flash:

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NL:

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The right sort of light helps. Wait for a bright, but overcast day. That way you get nice and soft shadows and highish shutter speeds. I tend to shoot in aperture priority with f4-f7.1. Take your time, work slowly and don't make any sudden movements. Use manual focus and move the camera forwards and backwards to focus. Hold your breath when taking the shot, or control your breathing to minimise camera shake. And please don't drug or freeze your subjects.

Keep practising and you'll get there. :)

Edit;

Natural light;

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Phate said:
How much did the lens set you back if you don't mind me asking? :)
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£469 from that nice shop on the high street :)

Thanks for the tips messiah khan and Raikiri will keep them in mind

P.S.

No bees were harmed in that taking of that shot :p
 
Ah nice :) - I want either the canon of the Sigma 150mm :)

How close are you when you took your shots?
 
I want the Sigma 150mm too, too expensive for me atm though so my Tamron will have to do :)

At 1:1 the distance from the end of the lens on my Tamron is around 10cm, the 100mm Canona and 150mm Sigma are considerably better for that but then they also cost a lot more.
 
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Phate said:
Ah nice :) - I want either the canon of the Sigma 150mm :)

How close are you when you took your shots?
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I wnt the Sigma 150mm too, too expensive for me atm though so my Tamron will have to do

At 1:1 the distance from the end of the lens on my Tamron is around 10cm, the 100mm Canona and 150mm Sigma are considerably better for that but then they also cost a lot more.
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I didn't take too much notice of how far away I was from the bee and flower cos it was my first go with the lens so was looking just at the image quality. Its odd trying to focus on something taking up most of the frame which is generally thought of as small :D
 
I so badly want to have a crack at macro!

What nice person is going to lend me their lens for a week or 2? :p
 
I'd love to get into macro shooting but don't have £400+ to spend on the canon lens. Are there any cheaper alternatives that you'd recommend?

Sorry to hijack the thread!
 
Yeah, the Tamron 90mm, I paid £226 imported from HK. Or, some tubes that give you aperature control and AF confirm for about £60 to go with your current lens.
 
Yep, it's that model.

The tubes increase the distance between the body and lens which lowers the minimum focus distance which in turn increases the level of magnification available. However they will also stop you from being able to focus at inifinity when they are fitted.

You can get them for a few quid without any electronics but they are very limiting, you would be much better off going for a set of Kenko or other ones that offer full control over the lens.
 
Heres a pic for Phate and Seraphic to give an idea of the DoF when working with a static object with tripod set up.

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5p piece at f2.8

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Camera distance from object
 
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