Macro photography

[popeshawnpaul]

Well, it's as good as Canon glass, but not as good as L glass.  Actually, that lens is rated very highly in its class and is rated better optically than the Sigma 400mm f5.6.  The Sigma has better autofocus though.  I've sold a lot of images taken with that lens.  I found that stopping down to f6.7 or f8 makes that lens super sharp.  It's not a macro lens though...it doesn't focus close enough.

[boneaddict]

It wasn't true macro for sure.  I was pushing it right at its range.  I was working with a dancing bird working 4 hens and I was having trouble trying to shoot it fast enough or focus fast enough beofre he moved on.  The sigma 400 5.6 works as a good macro lens.  I took alot of flower pictures with the ole A2E film.  That was fun.  Maybe some of my clarity came from focusing on the bird before he moved.  I was in AV and shooting one stop down or 6.7 I think.  The pic itself was fine, but when seeing actual size I lost the sharpness you should ahve in feathers.  I was also shooting offhand.

[popeshawnpaul]

It's really hard to shoot that lens handheld.  Tripod is a must.  You can pick up some cheap extension tubes for it and bring the focus distance in considerably.

Shawn

[boneaddict]

heres one of them.......not the best, but all the fun is in playing.

[huntingnut]

Thats a cool pic Bone.

[Bscman]

I love these threads...keep 'em up!

I've wanted to post a few times in the past, but held back beacuse I'm using CHEAP equipment and am a complete amateur--never had ANY instruction, read any books, etc....just kinda doin' it my own way. A little bashful, I guess...

Anyway, here's a few I found that have been taken in the last year or so....using a cheap Kodak Z700 autofocus, 4mp, 5x zoom.
IIRC, none of these pictures used a tripod...just the 2-second delay so I didn't get any blur from pressing the button. This camera also has NO image stabilization.
I'm sure I tweaked some settings, but can't recall just what was changed.


#1... Bee(s) on apricot tree in UT


#2. More bee(s) on apricot tree in UT


#3. Random flower at deception pass state park


#4. Anenome @ rosario (deception pass state park)
This was taken in a tide pool looking through the surface, just prior to sunset, using the flash.


#5. Cascade over mossy rocks, Finney Creek area


Hope I didn't overwhelm anyone with large pics!

[huntingnut]

That last one is absolutly beautiful. Great pics.

[popeshawnpaul]

If that last shot was handheld that's really difficult to do.  Nice macro work.  You really don't need much money to do it right.

shawn

[Bscman]

If that last shot was handheld that's really difficult to do.  Nice macro work.  You really don't need much money to do it right.

shawn

IIRC, the camera was $119 on closeout about 2 years ago.
The top four were handheld, no rest.
The last picture (cascade) I was laying over a large rock, elbows rested. Again, I use the 2 second delay for I don't blur the photo by moving as I press the button.

[Head-shot]

Those are all really nice shots, you guys are starting to give me the bug...

[boneaddict]

BSCMAN...Don't be bashful.  GREAT SHOTS.

I just post what I get at the time, even the mistakes and I think the guys enjoy them.  PICS ARE good.

[boneaddict]

this was an early one I posted on here.

[DeKuma]

I know I have a better one than this that is really close, but here is my first attempt.  This is my half Sharpei, Half Rott.  Deaf as can be, but sure is a good dog.

[LongTatLaw]

not great but had this one on hand...

[LongTatLaw]

Ive got some more macros but too poor quality to transfer so ya can check out on my website...

http://www.longtatsworld.com/page26.html

but be careful...the link that says nudes contains nudes!