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| How to shoot macro | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 27 2008, 10:50 PM (520 Views) | |
| twosix | Sep 27 2008, 10:50 PM Post #1 |
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Alpha Newbie
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I cannot auto focus on the subject that is about 6cm from the A300 kit lens. The body is on a tripod. Edited by twosix, Sep 27 2008, 10:52 PM.
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| A newbie with 1st DSLR: Sony Alpha A300 with 18-70mm Kit Lens. | |
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| Stvc | Sep 27 2008, 11:03 PM Post #2 |
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Newbie
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All Lens got their MINIMUM FOCUS DISTANCE, different lens different. For Sony 18-70, minimum focus distance is 0.38m = 38cm. You can add Close Up filter for macro, with 2 piece of +5 close up filter you will get real macro lens, but it look quite soft. Or purchase a Macro Lens. |
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My Flickr | |
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| Ming | Sep 28 2008, 12:38 AM Post #3 |
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90609866
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Hi twosix , i think you can visit the Newbie Section for some Clues about shooting 'Macro' with Kit Lens . Try to start one from Here . Then find what you want . Hope this helps . Edited by Ming, Sep 28 2008, 12:42 AM.
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Ask ... Absorb ... Equip ... Execute N E X with M I N G HERE ! A P - Ming HERE ! Macro-Ming HERE ! Pano-Ming HERE ! Food ! Food ! Foods ! HERE | |
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| Excel-glsi | Sep 28 2008, 09:24 AM Post #4 |
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F-mount Excel
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If u use Fz30/50 it wont be soft....
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| francisdcx | Sep 28 2008, 09:49 AM Post #5 |
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Alpha Elite Member
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Hey twosix, if you are really serious about shooting macro (with a dslr), you should invest in a cheap dedicated macro lens. For starters, definitely the Tamron 90mm for alpha mount. It’s really cheap and it’s good. Also, it is good that you are using a tripod. It seems troublesome at first but getting used to it open more opportunities to you. Another thing, don’t bother about using AF for macro. Most macro shooters use MF for a good reason :D. Also, in most situations, you do not turn you focusing ring to focus. You set your lens to the largest magnification (1:1 for dedicated macro lens) and move your entire setup in and out till you get your subject in focus. This will ensure you get the largest magnification possible. You need a sharp eye to see if you subject’s eyes are in focus (sharp) as some are really small (e.g. orb-web spiders). With regards to camera settings, try using what other macro shooters use for the time being. This is the URL to the macro section of my website http://www.darren-francis.com/p818490287, there is a tab called photo info where you view the lens that was used as well as the exact settings. Some of the other tips can be learn through observation and experience. For example, not all insects can be approached the same way. You will find that shooting certain spiders are a lot easier than other types and shooting a closeup dragonfly picture is a whole lot harder than shooting any spider. For that reason, you choice of subject to practice with should be one that is easy. I recommend you start with something that you can touch and reposition them to how you want to shoot it. |
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A900/A700/180 Macro/100 Macro/135 STF/85 CZ/24-70 CZ/70-200 G/16 Fisheye Photography Blog http://www.darrenf.com http://www.darren-francis.com Facebook Profile | |
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| twosix | Sep 28 2008, 10:23 AM Post #6 |
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Alpha Newbie
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Wow... thanks for the quick response guys! I thought I can use it like a p&s camera, just get close, focus and shoot. Looks like i have a lot to learn. BTW, where can I get macro lens, like the Tamron 90mm francisdcx mentioned? What's the cost like? |
| A newbie with 1st DSLR: Sony Alpha A300 with 18-70mm Kit Lens. | |
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| francisdcx | Sep 28 2008, 09:46 PM Post #7 |
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Alpha Elite Member
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You can order it from http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ To be exact: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/330645-USA/Tamron_AF272M700_SP_90mm_f_2_8_Di.html Edited by francisdcx, Sep 28 2008, 10:31 PM.
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A900/A700/180 Macro/100 Macro/135 STF/85 CZ/24-70 CZ/70-200 G/16 Fisheye Photography Blog http://www.darrenf.com http://www.darren-francis.com Facebook Profile | |
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| twosix | Sep 29 2008, 08:59 AM Post #8 |
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Alpha Newbie
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Thanks for the link, francis. I think I will skip this lens for now. It is not as cheap as I thought. I'll play with the kit lens for a while until I get the hang of things. Thanks. |
| A newbie with 1st DSLR: Sony Alpha A300 with 18-70mm Kit Lens. | |
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