Garden macros

[lacad01]

Just a few from today, still getting the hang of this macro gig :lol:

[troypiggo]

Good job! All natural light I assume? What lens are you using?

[lacad01]

Cheers Troy. Using the new Sigma 105mm macro. Used the in built flash for the hover fly and ants. The other two flies were sunning themselves in the late afternoon sun :)
I'm going to have to get a focus rail for the tripod and maybe even some extension tubes...oh no, more expense :lol:

[jjjnettie]

It's good fun eh Adam.:)
Love the first image.

[troypiggo]

Aah, great lens. To be honest, if you're interested in insects, a focus rail won't help. Probably more of a hindrance. They just move too fast, and on leaves blowing in the wind, you'll get frustrated trying to focus. Hand-hold works best.

I'd put that money towards a flash and diffuser.

Of course, if you're shooting still life or something more often that not, that's different.

[Liz]

Great pics Adam!! Those flies have gorg colours, and unbelievable eyes :eyepop: ...... and can almost feel those ants biting me!!

[astro_south]

Good efforts Adam. This macro caper is addictive so I will be looking out for many more from you in the future. Troy's advice about the rail for insects is spot on, and you will get way more mileage out of a decent flash and diffuser (although there are plenty of homemade diffuser options out there that probably work better than the brought ones)

[lacad01]

Thanks all for the comments and the advice. Good to know about the focus rail, so you've confirmed my thoughts on an external flash :)

[Vanda]

I see your motivation is still high Adam. Have not made up my mind on a macro yet - a dealer I spoke to today said the tammy 90 F2 macro is a great lens. (new model apparently - or was he just overstocked?) While I was deeply engrossed in reading a photogaphy magazine on the train the other day I noticed two things - one was a mention that when using macro always be ready to switch to manual focus as the poor old auto camera focus is not a mind reader -the second thing was GEEZ THIS IS MY STOP!

[troypiggo]

The Tamron 90mm is a wonderful lens. One of the most highly recommended. He wasn't trying to dud you, it's a great lens.

I've never used autofocus on a macro lens. Manual focus only. They're typically pretty slow to AF anyway.