More close-ups. Advice please

[docevi1]

Hi,

Today I got some decent light up here (it was sunny for once) and since the cactus has flowered in spectacular fashion I thought I would try some of the tips mentioned in my last thread.

Suffice to say I wasn't that successful. When I tried putting an aperture value of 2.8, it became very bright, so I lowered the shutter speed to compensate and it didn't really help. I tried manually setting the focus and again I didn't get the results I had expected.

This are the best I took and while as I like them, they certainly don't have the impact of some other shots. Is it something I am doing wrong or is simply I'm trying to take the camera past it's limit?

edit: I appreciate these aren't framed as nice as they could be - I was wearing good clothes and didn't use a tripod. Plus I forgot I wasn't looking through the lens, so need to angle up slightly.

cheers

>>> Edited by docevi1 on Thursday 15th July 12:37

[simpo two]

Promising I think - you're trying to compose photographs rather than just get close to something.

But you're right, they don't have any zing - maybe the problem is lighting and/or subject matter. They look either pale grey or overexposed on the white parts - ie part of the problem might also be the colour of the flower.

I've had some good results using flash - it picks up any colour and makes the background dark (www.blokewithacamera.co.uk and click on nature) but maybe it's luck that the Mju300 just happens to be good at that.

Perhaps also you're trying to get a 'good' picture from a subject that's simply not up to it? Go round the garden on a sunny day and look for interesting contrasty things in sunshine that you can shoot against shade, and give careful consideration to composition. Anyhow, that's where most of mine came from!

[docevi1]

hmm, maybe you're right actually. I've tried taking pictures of these flowers before and they didn't come out brilliantly either

I'll try a different plant and see what happens - the suns gone into hiding up here again so it'll have to be another day now

[simpo two]

docevi1 said:

the suns gone into hiding up here again so it'll have to be another day now

Or switch the flash on. If there's an option for 'fill-in flash' try that too. It may be able to cope with the closeness of the subject, or it may just blast it, but worth a try.

[docevi1]

I tired with the flash but the picture became far too bright, to the extent they come out white.

I tried putting the shutter speed and aperture to suitable levels (i.e. shortest shutter speed, smaller aperture) but it didn't help any. I didn't include them in that collection as you can't see anything.

[pbrett]

Post the Exif data for a couple of them.

[docevi1]

the exif data is still intact on the images (I think you'll have to save them to your pc to view it tho.)

Which ones are you interested in?

[pbrett]

A quick look at image 4 shows you at F8. Not going to get a small DOF with that. If you can't get a faster shutter speed (it must got faster than 1/500 surely?) then use a filter to cut down the light level.

They look ok, but it's had to tell at 480x360.

[docevi1]

For some reason I set the aperture I want, then it changes it automatically when it takes the sodding picture

I have a feeling that picture may have been when I flicked to "auto" mode to get some contrast. The ones I took with F2.8 have come out white (I can upload them if you'd like to see)

[pbrett]

I'll have a look if you like. If they're totally white best check the shutter speed. Spec says it should do 1/2000. Make sure the ISO's set to 50 as well.

Cheers

Phil

[docevi1]

it will only get to > 1/1500sec in some modes and with certain settings. What I was doing for instance couldn't allow me to go over 1/1000 until I changed the ISO speed to 400 (it was on 50) and it hit 1600 or so.

Looking at the images that are white, it has become obvious why they are white:
* I put compulsary flash on
* they were before I put the shutter speed down (i.e. they were on the way, but are 1/500).

I don't think I will be able to get the DOF that SLR's can get, but it makes a little more sense. I'll try again with the flash when I get a chance (have to head out now) and re-post here probably tommorrow

thanks.

[simpo two]

Your camera should work out a correct exposure at all times - ie if you increase the aperture to f2.8 (big hole) it should compensate by making the shutter speed faster. Hence you still get a correct exposure, but with less DOF. I think you're going onto Manual rather than Aperture-prority auto.

However, remember that with close-up lenses DOF is very small anyway - in fact the hard part is wanting to do close-up with a big DOF.

Now you see what SLRs are for

[simpo two]

docevi1 said:

I don't think I will be able to get the DOF that SLR's can get

DOF is a function of aperture, not camera type. But if you mean that SLR standard lenses are typically f1.8, yes, you're right! Mail me - I've got a Word doc that might help.

[docevi1]

I tried aperture priority mode, but for some reason it won't let me set it (I say it should be 2.8, then it changes to something higher). Manual mode was the only way I could actually get an aperture setting.

I think I've figured the way it should be done - by setting the focus manually as well. Unfortuantely this is a nightmare with the A70 (a little slider which you guess how far away the item is). Hmm, I've just thought of a potential solution - get some grey card and hold it at the distance and use auto-focus.

[docevi1]

I had a play last night while waiting for some people to turn up to the PH'ers meet and came up with these:





Could be that considered DOF?

>> Edited by docevi1 on Friday 16th July 11:20

[simpo two]

docevi1 said:

I tried aperture priority mode, but for some reason it won't let me set it (I say it should be 2.8, then it changes to something higher). Manual mode was the only way I could actually get an aperture setting.

In that case perhaps the camera can't get a fast enough shutter speed to work with f2.8.

docevi1 said:

I think I've figured the way it should be done - by setting the focus manually as well. Unfortuantely this is a nightmare with the A70 (a little slider which you guess how far away the item is). Hmm, I've just thought of a potential solution - get some grey card and hold it at the distance and use auto-focus.

There's no link between exposure and focus, unless your camera has the 'autofocus' and 'autoexposure' function connected somehow. Depending on your AF system grey card may not work, as some AFs need texture to lock on.
Looking at the pix it may be that you've come to the end of the road with that camera; it just isn't flexible enough to do what you are starting to demand of it.
Anyone else agree?

[luca brazzi]

Took this today, 20mm 2.8 (thanks David010167)




comments?

LB

[pbrett]

docevi1 said:

I had a play last night while waiting for some people to turn up to the PH'ers meet and came up with these... Could be that considered DOF?

A small DOF (depth of focus)? Yes. I really like the middle shot. I think the A70/75 is a great camera. I advised friend at work to get one and she seems very happy with it.

Start saving for a D-SLR now. In my book you get A70 level cameras then jump up to SLR / D-SLR. In the middle of these is an odd area. Just try manual focus on an LCD....

Phil