Lens tryout

[rcheshire]

Still learning how to use the Canon 100mm f/2.8L USM Macro. I'm inclined to think that the camera (1000D) doesn't do the lens justice.

I've changed the AF point selection to center only. I'll see if that makes a difference to focus speed. Some subjects are there and gone in a moment. Though I did manage the hover fly in-flight.

[Nico13]

Nice start, they are a great spec lens.
I'm a Pentax man myself and have just bought the same spec lens " a Pentax of course " for my K20D it should be here in a day or so.

Have you done any focus check shots with the camera tripod mounted and using a focus chart to see if it's focusing spot on.

Very critical for a macro lens to be right on target.

I'll post a couple of shots from my new lens when it turns up.

Ken.

[rcheshire]

Hi Ken. I see that your near Geelong.

So far, it's all been hand held, with a lot of reaching involved - not so steady. I'll try it out with a tripod this weekend.

[Nico13]

Yes about twenty minutes out the road towards Ballarat.

You think that you've a steady hand until you try this and at 1:1 magnification it shows every little shake as I found out as my lens turned up today, it's a second hand unit from a store in Japan via Ebay and it's as new condition just an older series of lens but has a very good reputation.

Ran around the garden today just before coming to work and madly took a couple of dozen shots, :P chased a few bees around the lavendar bushes and the like. :D
Loaded them on the computer for a quick look and liked what I saw :) but had to leave for work so will get a few decent shots off it in the next day or so and it will be interseting to compare notes.

I'm keen to see how you go with yours.

Ken.

[rcheshire]

OK. I'm in Belmont.

This one on the tripod. Just a little contrast improvement. But I notice it really shows up the dust in the system. Time for a proper clean.

Technical - Av mode, f/32 (depth of field) shutter about 10 seconds - back and front and overhead lighting. Auto focus. I'll give manual focus a go over the weekend with more time. Same - a few quick shots before work.

[Nico13]

Thats better,
Yep the dust shows up on shots like these.
You may find you'll have improved contrast and sharpness back around f/22 as not a lot of lenses will remain sharp all the way down to those very small apertures. It's a bit of a trade off on DOF but if youre looking for that extra sharpness.
A little testing will soon tell when it starts to soften up.

By the way are you a member of the local astro group? I have a friend who I did a lot of observing with a long while back who you may may well know if you've been in this for a while and thats Lance L. not sure if he still participates with the group. I had his 12" fork mounted Newtonian in the back yard for some time.

I now have my own 8" Meade SCT now so all we need is clear sky nights and all will be well. So in the mean time the camera is a good other passion to have.

Ken.

[rcheshire]

Thanks Ken. I'll try various stops in that case and pick the best.

I'm not yet a member of the local group. Meeting times conflict with other activities at the moment, including work schedules etc., so it's been difficult to get down there.

In-fact getting outside on a clear night between the cloud is near impossible - again work/shift requirements. It's time for an observatory/pier.

[Nico13]

Here you go, a couple from today out in the wind.
Hand held with camera mounted flash. @ f10/11

Spot the old Bee and the young Bee by the wing degradation on the trailing edges.

Edit:
It's a shame these seem to degrade a great deal when loaded to the site as I forget to size them to the 200kb before hand, will have to remember to do that myself as it will most likely be better.
These have lost a lot of contrast and become very pixelated.

[rcheshire]

Just got around to these. Nice fine detail Ken. Just getting used to using manual focus. Learning one or two tricks along the way.

I tried it out static on the tripod last night. It's quite a good lens for astro shots too, by the looks of it.