It went from this.....to this...to this...

[JoanYoung]

Okay, I will admit the it is going to take a lot of practice to get used to the new camera, but I will get there.....(sometime!!)
This how the practice shots went... (don't laugh - it could have been worse except I dont know how!!) (the first four images are all under 200 to make one image size)



Eventually......


now almost there.....(this butterfly is only a half inch big)


These were practice shots with the various lenses I have, but I will have to go and get a dedicated macro lens.

[DaveW]

As with all macro Joan, it is getting used to working up close with limited depth of field. Some conventional photographers can make the change, but some never get used to using limited DOF and give up. You seem to have mastered it now.

Also many try to run before they can walk and start at too high a magnification, rather than keep gradually getting closer with greater image magnification as they get practice.

The quickest way for a newcomer to get disheartened and loose interest is to start at their maximum magnification and find virtually nothing is sharp.

DaveW

[JoanYoung]

Thanks Dave. A friend of mine told me to stick to my little P&S and he was right about that. This 400D definitely needs a dedicated macro lens to come up with good pics. I took some more today in a nearby park, and they are not nice and clear eather. but certainly better than the first ones I took.

[DaveW]

It's not really the lens Joan, unless you are getting closer than the lenses closest focusing distance? A heavier SLR is harder to hand hold than a rangefinder or compact, so you are more likely to get camera shake. The old recommendation was hand hold at no slower shutter speed than the focal length of the lens on 35mm SLR film cameras. For example a 60mm lens no slower than 1/60th second, a 200mm lens no slower than 1/200th of a second.

But some argue that as APS sized DSLR's sensors are smaller than 35mm film, meaning the image and any blur caused by shake is enlarged more in the final reproduction, this formula should be multiplied by the cameras crop factor since the same focal length lens has a narrower angle of view and behaves like a longer focal length lens would on 35mm film regarding shake.

Therefore the 60mm behaves for shake like a 90mm on a Nikon APS sensored camera due to it's 1.5 crop factor, so no slower than 1/90th of a second. A Canon with a 1.6 crop factor like a 96mm, so no slower than 1/96th of a second, or the nearest shutter speed above. On a tripod you can use the slower speeds OK.

The problem is that may stop you using smaller apertures for increased depth of field, unless you use higher ISO settings and loose quality, which is the reason many use flash because this allows smaller f-stops whilst also stopping action because the flash pulse is very short.

Another reason is you are often in uncomfortable positions trying to get close up, which are not the best for holding a camera steady. Conventional photography allows you to stand up and brace yourself when using slower speeds.

I did notice when Nikola changed from a compact to a DSLR with a macro lens it took him a while to get used to it until his close-up's were as good as on his compact camera. Now there is no difference and they are as superb as they used to be.

See:-

http://www.all-things-photography.com/h ... n-slr.html

http://digital-photography-school.com/b ... al-camera/

http://tech.yahoo.com/gd/dealing-with-d ... ake/153019

http://members.shaw.ca/clives/photoguide2.html

http://64.78.42.182/sweethaven/MiscTech ... 5&lesNum=1

DaveW

[JoanYoung]

Thanks for all the useful information and links Dave. I think the problem is I am using it too much like my P&S, mostly on Auto. I think I need to change over to Manual and use it more like my old SLR's. The pics I took today were okay, but not sharp and clear. Alright, but to trying it n manual!!

[DaveW]

Don't know the 400D, but no need to go to full manual Joan, just use shutter priority and set the lowest hand holding speed for the lens, but also switch the lens to manual focus and screen focus. Autofocus is not much use close up.

This may be restrictive as to apertures because the camera will then select the smallest available at that ISO and shutter speed, but images then should be "shake free". To get a smaller aperture you can then increase the ISO setting, but the higher you go the worse the quality.

Ignore any focus confirmation lights in the viewfinder too and rely on what you see is in focus on your screen, because these lights simply use the autofocus sensor, so are just as inaccurate close up.

Shake, like the poor, is always with us. A camera does not shake less hand held on fast or slow shutter speeds, only less movement has chance to record on the sensor during the exposure.

DaveW

[beetleman]

Did Christmas come early for you Joan. Good luck with the new equipment. I got some hints about a new camera in my stocking also (400D also). when I got the different camera back from Canon from the repair, for some reason I have not come up with a good macro shot. Something is different about it. maybe the 13x zoom and the 500D closeup lens is throwing me off I am sure we will be seeing some great photos from South Africa, no problem.

[jmlphoto]

great news joan, i love my 400d. it takes amazing pics once you get used to it. a macro lens does help, but for bigger things its not needed at all. flash helps for those close up pictures.

[JoanYoung]

Doug

Did Christmas come early for you Joan

Yes, it did Doug. Santa decided that I have been so good, he would deliver early to my address. I am sure it will get better as I practice. The only experience I have had with digital is with the little P&S so it will take a little while to get used to.

for some reason I have not come up with a good macro shot. Something is different about it

This does happen...my one EOS was the same, for some reason I could never get a decent picture with it while I got great stuff with the other EOS and they had almost the same lenses on. I guess some cameras just have something wrong with them.

[JoanYoung]

Jordan

it takes amazing pics once you get used to it.

Thanks Jordan. It took a while for me to get the hang of the little P&S too, but I have no doubt I will get to the point where I am satisfied with the pics it is taking. I have various lenses from my two EOS's which I am trying at the moment, but have never used them on macro before either as I used them for wildlife at full length before.

[jaharris1001]

oh,,, you guys ,,, youve been holding out on me Santa came early huh ?? Thats great news Joan,, now you just need to save up for some more glass !! What did you get for a lens ? Did you get the "kit" lens ? youre right about that not being very good for macro Either the Canon or Sigma is a good choice when youre ready Congrats on your new aquisition

[JoanYoung]

Hey Jim, where have you been? I am not using the kit lens but another 28-80mm lens which I had with my EOS's. I will get the 100mm Canon when I have the funds.

[microcollector]

It seems cameras and Santa arriving early are a bit common this year. A Nikon D300 showed up here Friday. I am having the same fun as Joan in figuring it out .

Doug

[JoanYoung]

Welcome to the club Doug!! We will be able to pass on tips as we learn them.

[DaveW]

Doug,

For a 12 page review of the D300 indicating what the "bits do" see:-

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond300/

Joan,

See for the 400D ditto a 30 page review:-

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/

DaveW