First attempt at Macro

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

Soldato
Joined
13 Jan 2004
Posts
23,897
Location
South East
Hello, there was a lot o chat about bug hunting earlier so I went out to properly test the macro mode on my Sigma 70-300mm APO. It isn't a dedicated macro lens so I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasently surpsied.

The main problem I encountered was focussing. I found the AF really slow but with MF what looks good through the lens, sometimes look rubbish once on the computer.

Had a right laugh chasing dragonflies, I found a MASSIVE one but didn't get a shot, and after 10 minutes of chasing him and shoutng "LAND YOU ******" I gave up.

Anyway, these are the only two I got really, I think I over processed them a bit but C&C is welcome. As I said I don't think the focus is good enough but for a first try I was fairly happy.

20070606183434_flower.jpg


20070606183557_dragonfly.jpg
 
Will you stop it people, I hate you lot. New macro every day! I even didn't try it yet!
I hate to say it but N1 is very nice ;)
I glad to say that N2 is blurred :D
 
haha. I am annoyed about no.2 because on the camera it looked great, but now I have done this I can see it is blurred.

I need to get better at focussing and staying still :p
 
They are really nice, I like the second one best.

I had the same problems with focusing in my first attempts in this thread here. The little critter in my second shot was so fast that it was hard to get a good focus before he took off again. Was chasing him around for a few mins quickly snapping away each time he landed, before I got that pic.

I found the HSM on my 70-200 APO to be a godsend, when trying to get a quick snap it does seem to be able to focus quickly and fairly cleanly, on my 300D.

For flowers I found that a tripod is best, and some kind of remote shuter release to minimise camera shake/movement. For insects they move so quick you need handheld I found and that make life a bit more tricky.
 
Entai said:
They are really nice, I like the second one best.

I had the same problems with focusing in my first attempts in this thread here. The little critter in my second shot was so fast that it was hard to get a good focus before he took off again. Was chasing him around for a few mins quickly snapping away each time he landed, before I got that pic.

I found the HSM on my 70-200 APO to be a godsend, when trying to get a quick snap it does seem to be able to focus quickly and fairly cleanly, on my 300D.

For flowers I found that a tripod is best, and some kind of remote shuter release to minimise camera shake/movement. For insects they move so quick you need handheld I found and that make life a bit more tricky.
Click to expand...

Thanks dude. Sorry I am new to this so I don't know what HSM is? Is it something to do with that twisty knob I see on some dedicated macro lenses?
I really like your 2nd one, having chased a couple of wasp type things around I know how hard they are to catch.

I definately have a tripod on my 'to buy' list for plants and landscapes when I get out there, but my next investment will probably be a proper macro lens. This photography malarky is getting expensive :(

I am looking at a Sigma 150mm f2.8 Macro, simply because Messiah Khan bought one and he seems to know his stuff, plus his macro work is awesome.
 
There should be a new owners club for this lens - mine arrived Tuesday :D

I havent had a proper play, but i quite often use AF-C (constant autofocus) as opposed to the standard autofocus. This is used for moving objects/sports/cars etc.. when you hold the button halfway to focus, and you carry on holding it, it'll carry on adjusting the focus. That's opposed to standard AF-A/S where it wont. Just a thought, and i'm no Macro expert, but wouldnt that help in keeping moving flowers/critters in focus?

If that's not your problem at all then by all means ignore me. Good choice on lens though, i havent got out with it yet, but it feels fantastic. Can't wait for my weekend in London!
 
Scam - It's better to set the required magnification on the lens and move the camera backwards/forwards until correct focus is achieved.
If you use AF then both focus and magnification adjust automatically and you end up getting frustrated because it doesn’t do what you want.
 
Yeah. Having spent merely 20mins on the garden pointing at dull plants, AF does get annoying!
 
Scam said:
There should be a new owners club for this lens - mine arrived Tuesday :D

I havent had a proper play, but i quite often use AF-C (constant autofocus) as opposed to the standard autofocus. This is used for moving objects/sports/cars etc.. when you hold the button halfway to focus, and you carry on holding it, it'll carry on adjusting the focus. That's opposed to standard AF-A/S where it wont. Just a thought, and i'm no Macro expert, but wouldnt that help in keeping moving flowers/critters in focus?

If that's not your problem at all then by all means ignore me. Good choice on lens though, i havent got out with it yet, but it feels fantastic. Can't wait for my weekend in London!
Click to expand...

I haven't got the lens yet :p

My pics are with a non macro lens that has a macro mode :)
 
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