Macro advice

PaulieC

I was playing around with my macro lens at the weekend, really the first time since I got it last summer. I really only realised now how difficult it is to keep focus at such short distances with such thin DoF.
What would people recommend for stability? I suppose a tripod, but are there tripods that allow you go right down to ground level and still allow you to use the viewfinder ?

On the same note, it really is amazing what you find when you go down to macro level...some samples from the weekend on my Flickr

Paulw

A good tripod (like Manfrotto 190 or 055) will allow you to go almost flat on the ground. Very strong and sturdy. I have the 055 and love it.

Then I find the Canon AngleFinder C very useful too. So, you can look down in to the viewfinder.

A shutter release cable is also handy.

Mostly the image is taken with manual focus.

Hopefully this will help a little. I need to practice macro stuff more.

Thirdfox

Live-view would be handy too - one of the genuine instances where it is really useful (and no mirror slap either!)

magicbastarder

i have tried to master the art of timing the shutter release while rocking backwards and forwards slowly - you're going to move no matter what, if not using a tripod, and it's easier to control it than eliminate it.
also, taking photos of 'continuous' objects where the exact focal point does not matter can help; you'll always get a point in focus, e.g.
http://www.stroma.org/galeria/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=43

elven

I keep trying to force myself to use a tripod but it's not happening. I just don't seem to be able to work the same way without being free to move the camera around.

If you are going to use a tripod low to the ground, you'll need to think about the suggestions above like the angle finder or live-view. Nothing worse than getting into embarrassing positions trying to see through the viewfinder when it's away down low.

If you can handle a certain softness and lack of depth of field, the trick with focusing is to move yourself in relation to the subject rather than trying to keep refocusing. You get into the habit of kind of swaying backwards and forwards and possibly taking a few shots of each thing, so you increase the chances of getting one iwth the focus at the right point. Very disappointing to get home and discover your favourite shot is a couple of mm off, rendering it pretty much useless because the point of focus is usually critical with macro. It's also worth giving the opportunity to use a smaller aperture by bumping up your iso as much as you can manage (400 is my limit on the 350d, ugh), and lower your shutter speed to the slowest you can possibly handle, then use whatever is available to steady the camera or your arms like walls, poles, or kneel down on the ground (bring a plastic bag!) and tuck your elbows in to make yourself as steady as possible.

Also bear in mind, your job is going to be incredibly difficult if it's a windy day and you're trying to shoot something that's flailing about the place. Avoid the hassle and stay indoors on those days :rolleyes:

I'm off for a nosy at your pics now

PaulieC

thanks for the replies...

@PaulW - great point about the angle finder - I hadn't thought of that. I think you can get magnifying finders too, which would help with focussing

@ThirdFox - I have a 30D and I can't see me having LiveView for the forseeable future!

@Magicbastarder - That's a good idea, must give it a go...

and thanks Elven, great advice as usual....

Paulw

cambo_gueno wrote: »

thanks for the replies...

@PaulW - great point about the angle finder - I hadn't thought of that. I think you can get magnifying finders too, which would help with focussing

The Canon one has a 1.25 and 2.5 magnification. Works for the 30D just fine (I used mine on the 20D and 40D, and then bought the adapter for using it on the 1D.

It's a handy piece of kit, especially for those down low shots.

There are cheaper makes/models to be found on ebay too, aside from the Canon one.

PaulieC

Paulw wrote: »

The Canon one has a 1.25 and 2.5 magnification. Works for the 30D just fine (I used mine on the 20D and 40D, and then bought the adapter for using it on the 1D.

It's a handy piece of kit, especially for those down low shots.

There are cheaper makes/models to be found on ebay too, aside from the Canon one.

Yip, just found this one

DaireQuinlan

One absolute essential is a good strobe, particularly if you want to avoid that gentle rocking back and forth that, while it -does- enable you to nail the focus, often gets you strange glances from passers by ...

A good strobe and a diffuser, either hand-held off camera, or mounted on some flash bracket, will enable you to stop down so you don't have to worry about DOF so much.

YogiBear

Elven, I have a really good tripod that turns about and up and down everyway (it's great actually) but I read your post & pottered out to the garden to bring some flowers in to try your method.
As luck would have it I found a ladybird!!!!
Just took... over 190, 193 to be exact, shots!! There has to be some good ones there!! Yay!
Ladybird has been put back into garden so I'm going to see how I got on now.
Oh the things that make me happy!!!