Close up focusing
Discussion
Hi All,
Just been outside (in this glorious sunshine) playing with my new toy (D70) trying to get some close up images of flowers etc.
I have the camera set to marco mode but can't seem to get the whole flower into focus.
Does this sort of work require a macro lens, or is there other settings I should be trying?
Thanks
Simon
Just been outside (in this glorious sunshine) playing with my new toy (D70) trying to get some close up images of flowers etc.
I have the camera set to marco mode but can't seem to get the whole flower into focus.
Does this sort of work require a macro lens, or is there other settings I should be trying?
Thanks
Simon
Simon
You don't say how much of the flower you are trying to photograph. Is it the whole flower or just a small portion of it?
However the main problem with macro type images is the fact that you are focussing at very close distances. When focussing very close the range of acceptable sharpness "depth of field" can be very very small.
To maximise this range use as small an aperture as you can (large f number) whilst still being able to hold the camera still. A tripod comes in very handy for this type of image.
With the D70 also experiment with the built in flash as this might give you a bit more light and so you may be able to use a smaller aperture.
The upside of the small depth of field is that as the range of sharpness can be so small you can use this to accentuate / isolate particular parts of your image. Have a look at the past threads for examples e.g. SimpoTwo posted a flower image where only the stamens (bits where the pollen grows)are in focus and the rest of the petals are out of focus but give a really nice background colour. Gives a lot of opportunity to be creative.
The key advantages of a dedicated macro lens over a zoom lens with a macro setting are;
1. The optical design is optimised for close focus work, and
2. They usually will focus at a closer distance and so you can get nearer your subject and so fill the frame more.
They are not cheap, even secondhand, but they can be brilliant fun to use. For the D70, the Nikon 105mm and 60mm macros are absolute belters and from the independent suppliers the Tamron 90mm has always been held in the highest regard as a great lens.
HTH
Chris
You don't say how much of the flower you are trying to photograph. Is it the whole flower or just a small portion of it?
However the main problem with macro type images is the fact that you are focussing at very close distances. When focussing very close the range of acceptable sharpness "depth of field" can be very very small.
To maximise this range use as small an aperture as you can (large f number) whilst still being able to hold the camera still. A tripod comes in very handy for this type of image.
With the D70 also experiment with the built in flash as this might give you a bit more light and so you may be able to use a smaller aperture.
The upside of the small depth of field is that as the range of sharpness can be so small you can use this to accentuate / isolate particular parts of your image. Have a look at the past threads for examples e.g. SimpoTwo posted a flower image where only the stamens (bits where the pollen grows)are in focus and the rest of the petals are out of focus but give a really nice background colour. Gives a lot of opportunity to be creative.
The key advantages of a dedicated macro lens over a zoom lens with a macro setting are;
1. The optical design is optimised for close focus work, and
2. They usually will focus at a closer distance and so you can get nearer your subject and so fill the frame more.
They are not cheap, even secondhand, but they can be brilliant fun to use. For the D70, the Nikon 105mm and 60mm macros are absolute belters and from the independent suppliers the Tamron 90mm has always been held in the highest regard as a great lens.
HTH
Chris
wow, thanks for the detailed reply.
I am trying to take a picture of the head of the flower i.e all the petals and the stamens etc.
I can get it to focus on say the stamens but then the foreground petals are out of focus and vice-versa.
I don't think I can really justify the cost of a macro lens if they are really expensive but you never know...
I will try setting it up on a tripod and using a smaller aperture. As there is a slight breeze, I think there will be a trade of between aperature and shutter speed as well, will try for the smallest i can get without any bluring.
Won't using a flash alter the natural colouring of the flower? as I have very bright sunshine at the moment.
Thanks again
Simon
I am trying to take a picture of the head of the flower i.e all the petals and the stamens etc.
I can get it to focus on say the stamens but then the foreground petals are out of focus and vice-versa.
I don't think I can really justify the cost of a macro lens if they are really expensive but you never know...
I will try setting it up on a tripod and using a smaller aperture. As there is a slight breeze, I think there will be a trade of between aperature and shutter speed as well, will try for the smallest i can get without any bluring.
Won't using a flash alter the natural colouring of the flower? as I have very bright sunshine at the moment.
Thanks again
Simon
fazz81 said:
wow, thanks for the detailed reply.
I am trying to take a picture of the head of the flower i.e all the petals and the stamens etc.
I can get it to focus on say the stamens but then the foreground petals are out of focus and vice-versa.
I don't think I can really justify the cost of a macro lens if they are really expensive but you never know...
I will try setting it up on a tripod and using a smaller aperture. As there is a slight breeze, I think there will be a trade of between aperature and shutter speed as well, will try for the smallest i can get without any bluring.
Won't using a flash alter the natural colouring of the flower? as I have very bright sunshine at the moment.
Thanks again
Simon
No worries. Glad my ramblings helped. Tre's usually a trade off between shutter speed and aperture to get the "right" exposure.
The right exposure depends on whether you want no motion,a little motion or a lot - all personal taste and experimentation.
If you really get into it a macro lens does also make a good portrait lens too so some of the cost can be justified
Flash on it's own shouldn't alter the colour of your images, it'll just brighten certain areas. With the D70's built-in flash you can play with how much work the flash does by altering the flash exposure compensation (not sure of the buttons required as it'll be slightly different to the arrangement on my D100).
Playing with + or - compensation can alter the way your images turn out quite a bit. But that's the beauty of digital, bang away and if you don't like just delete !
If you really get into the whole flower photography thing you might consider getting a device called a "Plamp". It's an adjustable arm that grips a tripod leg at one end and then also grips the flower stem out of shot at the other end. It minimises the movement of the flower. Not too pricey and seems to work a treat.
Happy shooting
Chris
Macro mode means Jack Schitt I'm afraid, as do all the other modes IMHO. The problem is the lens, and no mode is going to change that!
The 18-70mm - assuming that's what you're using - is great for most things EXCEPT macro. A true macro lens will let you get a postage stamp to fill the frame, but they are £250+. And even then, DOF disappears because the magnification is so high. Unfortunately it's a law of physics thing: more magnification = sod all depth of field
More at www.photoboxgallery.com/blokewithacamera
>> Edited by simpo two on Friday 29th April 16:31
The 18-70mm - assuming that's what you're using - is great for most things EXCEPT macro. A true macro lens will let you get a postage stamp to fill the frame, but they are £250+. And even then, DOF disappears because the magnification is so high. Unfortunately it's a law of physics thing: more magnification = sod all depth of field
More at www.photoboxgallery.com/blokewithacamera
>> Edited by simpo two on Friday 29th April 16:31
rich 36 said:
enough photo's of flower already, havent' you got a car you should be driving
you petal heads
I've done 135 miles today!
Went to Cabapino to visit a mate, then on to Marbella to buy a few bits. From there went to Granada which is an absolute blast up the mountain. It's duel carrageway most of the way, newly surfaced and is the next best thing to a track day. Came home down all the hairpins on the old road. Did a tank of gas, at least a 1000 miles worth of rubber, probably caused at least 5 heart-attacks, and had a ball!
Now I'm home I need to relax...mmmm....flowers.
Martin.
V6GTO said:
I've done 135 miles today!
Went to Cabapino to visit a mate, then on to Marbella to buy a few bits. From there went to Granada which is an absolute blast up the mountain. It's duel carrageway most of the way, newly surfaced and is the next best thing to a track day. Came home down all the hairpins on the old road. Did a tank of gas, at least a 1000 miles worth of rubber, probably caused at least 5 heart-attacks, and had a ball!
Now I'm home I need to relax...mmmm....flowers.
Martin.
Git. I'm stuck near the M4, got to drive the devil's own road of the M25 past the M40 and M1. Added to that Mrs CVP has packed so much for a weekend away there's no way it would all go in the Boxster so it's the Leon for the weekend for me.
Am I jealous...oh no of course not...actually of course I'm jealous you swine
Never mind a nice weekend away in the country, good food, good wine so it could all be a lot worse. Have a good bank holiday everyone.
Chris
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