I've had the 100mm Canon f/2.8 USM macro lens for a while now, but never had the chance to use it.
But on Saturday afternoon, I found myself with a spare 30 minutes and decided it was time to give it a go - it was a beautiful afternoon after a week of rain so I stepped out into the backyard and looked for something small
I'm a newbie with macro so I didn't really know the best settings - I used f/2.8, which of course gives the most paper thin focal plane. I found it really difficult to hold focus on what I wanted when using handheld.
What do you macro guys use?
Do you use a monopod or tripod, or just handheld?
Do you use burst mode to compensate for the wobbly handheld and hope to get one in focus?
Do you use Manual Focus or Auto Focus? Single post focus (right in the middle)?
What f/ratio and shutter speed, or do you use AV or ??
It'll take some time to figure out what type of macro photography I like - insects, flowers, arty type stuff, abstract whatever. But I did enjoy it and I love the possibilities.
The flower/buds are from our water lily. The fly is some small flying critter
Anyway feedback, critique, suggestions, advice please!