Lens tryout

rcheshire (Rowland) · #1 05-12-2010, 09:26 AM

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 (Ken) · #2 07-12-2010, 11:33 PM

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 (Rowland) · #3 08-12-2010, 06:11 AM

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 (Ken) · #4 09-12-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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,

chased a few bees around the lavendar bushes and the like.

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 (Rowland) · #5 09-12-2010, 10:17 PM

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 (Ken) · #6 09-12-2010, 11:59 PM

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 (Rowland) · #7 10-12-2010, 05:40 AM

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 (Ken) · #8 10-12-2010, 07:16 PM

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 (Rowland) · #9 14-12-2010, 08:29 PM

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.