As a few of us have them, I was wondering how you cope with shooting outdoor macro shots and whether you have any individual tips to share. I'm finding that shooting that close to a subject outside is almost impossible hand held to keep the subject in focus. ie bugs on flowers etc. due to conditions. Even a tripod wouldn't help that much because things move. Inside is different for still subjects as a tripod does the trick and all you have to worry about is depth of field and lighting conditions. ;D Any thoughts???
jim
I have never taken a shot outdoors which is even half decent. Like you say the movement no matter how slight just kills it for me. I have tried putting a box around things to prevent breeze etc but you loose light etc.
I just snip a flower off now and go indoors and shoot with my portable studio and have a play with light, flash and reflectors.
Alf
Do what I do.
Crank up the ISO so you can get a decent shutter speed. About f/11 Take bloody loads of shots, your bound to find a sharp one in there. Dump the bad ones. ;)
Most of my stuff is outside, and all hand held.
Practically all my macro shots are outside, hand held on manual focus. A lot of the time I'll have my flash hooked up.
Like Mick said, take loads of shots and crank up the ISO so you can increase shutter speed, I also hold my breath when shooting for some reason as I find it keeps me a little steadier.
I also get myself into some bizzarre contorted positions to get as stable as possible. It usually means kneeling or lieing on the floor. I carry a blanket with me for when it is wet\muddy.
Having a good macro lens also helps hugely.
HTH
Steve
Its not the shutter speed or iso that bothers me really, its how the slightest movement takes it out of focus. Just keep pressing the shutter might get a sharp one I suppose. Just keep trying I think. ::)
If it's windy at all and things are moving about then it's a case of pot luck I'm afraid. You could try fixing things with wire (plants I mean) not insects. :D Or use a plamp.
Manual focus (centre point), and rock yourself back and forth to get focus. I can say with confidence, you more you take the better you get.. You could even try using a monopod if the situation suites.
Quote from: jimthetrain on July 29, 2009, 08:51:21 PM
Its not the shutter speed or iso that bothers me really, its how the slightest movement takes it out of focus. Just keep pressing the shutter might get a sharp one I suppose. Just keep trying I think. ::)
Had the same problem yesterday with quite a strong wind. I use spot and focus on the subject, if the plant is moved by the wind before I take the shot, I wait until it stops moving, then take three or four quick shots. Most insects will stay there, but butterflies tend to fly off, so it can be irksome, to say the least. In fact this July has been the windiest for many years. >:(
What you can do is find a spot behind some trees which can provide a wind break. You might still get some movement but it will be greatly reduced. :tup:
Keeps some clothes pegs in your camera bag too as they come in handy to steady things that are being blown about.
Steve
I take all my macro picutres outdoors, as Oldboy says if it is windy you just keep ther camera on the subect and shoot quick when the wind lulls for a few seconds :)
My honest opinion, and remember I'm new to this on digitsal, is that is more about light and getting a small aperture for depth of field then anything, I have had good advice on this.
I use an SB800 flash wired & on and extender bringing it right to the front of the lens (nikon 105) this allows me to use and ISO of either 100 or 200 and maintain an aperture of around 18 with ashutterspeed of 20o/250
Just an quick example:
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o320/zenmer/wasp.jpg)
Now that's nice!
Thankyou Greypoint :-[
Cracking shot Zenmer. :tup:
Don't use a flash as the D3 can manage without on most occasions. Usually set the Aperture between F11 to F22 and let the camera handle the rest. It's easier to have direct sunlight on the subject, as it will reduce the ISO used by the camera. Very seldom switch to manual mode, but might adjust the focus before taking the shot. ;D
Cheers Oldboy :)
With a shot as close as the wasp I find that I am in my own light, so can cast a shadow on the subject making direct sunlight not an option,
plus a flash can help to freeze any slight movement and down here we often have heavy ckloud cover. Not a problerm as the bugs aren't as lively when ity's a bit cooler ;)
Quote from: Zenmer on August 01, 2009, 07:05:22 PM
Cheers Oldboy :)
With a shot as close as the wasp I find that I am in my own light, so can cast a shadow on the subject making direct sunlight not an option,
plus a flash can help to freeze any slight movement and down here we often have heavy ckloud cover. Not a problerm as the bugs aren't as lively when ity's a bit cooler ;)
That's why I use a 1.4 or 2 converter on mine, so I can stand back a bit and not block the sunlight. :tup:
Had a email from Warehouse Express about the new Canon 100mm Marco with IS. Shame it's £999.99 or over £400 dearer than Nikons! :(
Isn't that always the case. You buy something and they bring out an updated version 2 months later. >:( Still I don't think i'd pay that much for one though.
But for that £400 odd quid - your lens does get the letters 'L' and 'IS" after its name.
But still need to be convinced that i'm getting £400 worth of extra picture quality...
:)If it is windy, take an umbrella with you, preferrably a white one that helps with lighting.
Quote from: Simple on September 03, 2009, 04:35:52 PM
:)If it is windy, take an umbrella with you, preferrably a white one that helps with lighting.
It was so windy today a umbrella would have been no good, in fact I was blown around a few times whilst taking a shot. :P
:D With weather like that I stay indoors! ;D
Quote from: Simple on September 03, 2009, 09:15:02 PM
:D With weather like that I stay indoors! ;D
Yes, but you miss all the good bits, like birds been blown backwards when trying to land! Or young ladies trying to control their dresses! ;D :2funny:
Quote from: Oldboy on September 03, 2009, 09:23:39 PM
Quote from: Simple on September 03, 2009, 09:15:02 PM
:D With weather like that I stay indoors! ;D
Yes, but you miss all the good bits, like birds been blown backwards when trying to land! Or young ladies trying to control their dresses! ;D :2funny:
Yes, But you surely do not use a Macro lens for the latter!!!!!! ;D ;D :2funny:
Quote from: Simple on September 03, 2009, 09:40:44 PM
Quote from: Oldboy on September 03, 2009, 09:23:39 PM
Quote from: Simple on September 03, 2009, 09:15:02 PM
:D With weather like that I stay indoors! ;D
Yes, but you miss all the good bits, like birds been blown backwards when trying to land! Or young ladies trying to control their dresses! ;D :2funny:
Yes, But you surely do not use a Macro lens for the latter!!!!!! ;D ;D :2funny:
Well it depends if they have their legs open........
.
.
.
.
.
.when they come into land! :2funny: :2funny: :legit:
Quote from: picsfor on September 03, 2009, 03:04:04 PM
But for that £400 odd quid - your lens does get the letters 'L' and 'IS" after its name.
But still need to be convinced that i'm getting £400 worth of extra picture quality...
I've not looked at everything about this new lens - as I've only just got back from me hols - anyway.
The IS on the new lens is the new hybrid one - particularly suited to macro photography apparently. So, the theory is that it will be a significant improvement on any other macro lens with IS - however, whether it is £400 worth depends on your point of view - if you are a pro and it gets you the shot which makes you rich or name, then probably, if you are an amatuer, like most of us, then possibly not - but then, do any of us actually need the gear we have?
Will I get one? Dunno, I'll wait until I see some in the wild and the reviews etc - I currently only have the EFs 60mm macro and it is the only real reason I still have my 350D - and I have looked at getting the 100mm macro - and also the 135mm f2L - it may be that this would fill the role of both and be effectively "cheaper"
i will be getting a new lens from Father Christmas (long wait i know :(), is it worth the extra for the sigma 150 over the 105?
Quote from: alan1572 on September 03, 2009, 10:58:26 PM
i will be getting a new lens from Father Christmas (long wait i know :(), is it worth the extra for the sigma 150 over the 105?
I assume you mean the Sigma 105mm then, yes if you take pictures in the wild, as the extra reach could come in handy. Not sure if the Sigma 105mm macro can take the Sigma 1.4 converter, if it can then the 105mm might be best, but would be F4 with the converter attached. Just checked on Sigma's lens listing and it's not down. ;D
Quote from: jimthetrain on September 03, 2009, 01:20:01 PM
Isn't that always the case. You buy something and they bring out an updated version 2 months later. >:( Still I don't think i'd pay that much for one though.
Yes, I must say never had that issue, except for two of my lenses, all mine have been purchased 2nd hand. Not had an problem yet.
I find VR or IS to be a total pain on macro use and mine is always turned off when use the 105 for macro purposes
Quote from: Zenmer on September 04, 2009, 12:38:54 PM
I find VR or IS to be a total pain on macro use and mine is always turned off when use the 105 for macro purposes
Strange, as I always leave my on, even with the converters attached. ;D
Quote from: alan1572 on September 03, 2009, 10:58:26 PM
i will be getting a new lens from Father Christmas (long wait i know :(), is it worth the extra for the sigma 150 over the 105?
I would consider the Sigma 180mm as it can save a great deal of hassle trying to get close to nervous bugs. I have this lens and also the Canon 100mm, but use mainly the Sigma when out shooting bugs. Of IMO equal importance is a decent flash gun such as the Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX flashgun.
Harry
Quote from: Oldboy on September 04, 2009, 05:31:51 PM
Strange, as I always leave my on, even with the converters attached. ;D
In the September issue of Outdoor Photography, even Nikon admit that the VR somewhat degrades as magnification increases !
Its also interesting that the new canon lens claims 4stops IS normally, but only 2 when shooting macro's.
Quote from: hssutton on September 04, 2009, 06:59:45 PM
Quote from: alan1572 on September 03, 2009, 10:58:26 PM
i will be getting a new lens from Father Christmas (long wait i know :(), is it worth the extra for the sigma 150 over the 105?
I would consider the Sigma 180mm as it can save a great deal of hassle trying to get close to nervous bugs. I have this lens and also the Canon 100mm, but use mainly the Sigma when out shooting bugs. Of IMO equal importance is a decent flash gun such as the Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX flashgun.
Harry
seems a happy medium, cheers
Quote from: Zenmer on September 04, 2009, 08:22:57 PM
Quote from: Oldboy on September 04, 2009, 05:31:51 PM
Strange, as I always leave my on, even with the converters attached. ;D
In the September issue of Outdoor Photography, even Nikon admit that the VR somewhat degrades as magnification increases !
Well, I can only quote from my own experience. I have used the VR with a 1.4 and 2x converters upclose and never had a problem and handheld. ;D
Any body used the original Tamron 90mm (72e), is it ok on digital? The few comments & reviews i can find rate it highly and it won an EISA award when it was released. Or save for the digital version?
Simon
On digital designated lenses all that it means is that they are either designed for crop cameras or that they have a coating on the rear element to minimise reflections back onto the sensor.
It will not be an issue to use the older lens on digital - there is a potential risk to get some ghosting - but its unlikely in the real world.
Thanks Mark, I thought i had better check as I know there are issues with older sigma lenses, never heard of problems with tamron but worth checking.
Simon
Simon, there is always the potential problem that the camera won't communicate with the lens - thats the same for all 3rd party lenses - the manufactures won't give them the comms protocol, so they have to reverse engineer it, and sometimes new cameras have a slight change to the code making some older lenses not work.
Can often be fixed by the 3rd party manufacture - for about £30 or so I think, but not always!
I had one of the older Tamron 90mm macro lenses when I had a Pentax K20D - really nice lens, although I used it mainly because it was a fastish prime rather than for it's macro abilities. Would quite like one in Nikon fit. Some samples here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greypoint/sets/72157606259509716/
can i use my 2x TC (nikon) with a sigma 150?
Quote from: alan1572 on September 22, 2009, 02:21:10 PM
can i use my 2x TC (nikon) with a sigma 150?
No, you only use the Nikon converter with Nikon lenses and Sigma lenses with Sigma converters. ???
Tried a 2x with my tamron 90mm, it got me closer to the subject.
Quote from: Oldboy on September 22, 2009, 02:25:45 PM
Quote from: alan1572 on September 22, 2009, 02:21:10 PM
can i use my 2x TC (nikon) with a sigma 150?
No, you only use the Nikon converter with Nikon lenses and Sigma lenses with Sigma converters. ???
With my Canon gear I have a similar problem, to overcome this I slip a tube between the Extender/convertor and lens. Could you do the same with Nikon.
Harry
i can't believe it's this hard to choose between the nikon 105 and the sigma 150, i can get over the shorter length of the 105 with the 2x tc but it would be less hassle with the 150 and of course it doesn't extend which is the one thing that is really holding me back getting the 105 even thou i'm a snob ;D and would rather have the nikon as that's what all my other lens' are.
just looked on ebay and a 2nd hand nikon 105 went for £535 :o for not much more a new one can be had, there's another on £430 with 3 days left, is there a short supply of new ones?
Quote from: alan1572 on September 23, 2009, 09:24:50 AM
just looked on ebay and a 2nd hand nikon 105 went for £535 :o for not much more a new one can be had, there's another on £430 with 3 days left, is there a short supply of new ones?
No, it's just a cracking lens. The Nikon 105mm VR macro doesn't extend unlike the Nikon 60mm macro. :tup:
oldboy, you have just made my mind up for me, i don't know why i did but i thought the nikon 105 extended, does the sigma 105 extend? maybe that's were i'm getting in a caffuffle(sp)
Yes the sigma does extend and is very noisy on autofocus, Nikon 105 everytime an absolutely cracking lens, worth every penny :tup: