400D macros

[astro_south (Andrew)]

I have had the 400D for about a month and managed to grab these over the weekend using the kit lens (18-55mm). Comments (especially how to improve them) are welcomed.

Subjects are a dragonfly and a baby banksia

[acropolite (Phil)]

Great shots Andrew, the dragonfly's my favourite.

[RB (Andrew)]

Very nice shots Andrew.
The only bit of advice I would give is when shooting insects, animals or people, always focus on the eyes.
I was shooting macros a while ago and was so excited to see this huge fly, I rushed in to get it before it flew off but I didn't get the eyes focused but got the wings instead and it didn't turn out as good as I had hoped.

Anyway keep up the great work.
I love macro shots.

[toetoe (Peter)]

Top stuff Andrew, love the detail with the wings on the dragon fly.

[astro_south (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Rocket Boy

The only bit of advice I would give is when shooting insects, animals or people, always focus on the eyes.

I was certainly trying to do this. I was walking towards it to get closer and manually focussing, snapping furiously before it flew away. I guess I was a bit out with the eyes, but I managed to fluke the wings so not all was lost. This was shot in Aperture Priority mode and I think the aperture was wide open (meaning shallow depth of field I think?) Would setting the aperture to f8 or more help with getting the eyes and the wings in focus together?

thanks for the feedback all! I will see what I can do this weekend

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by astro_south

This was shot in Aperture Priority mode and I think the aperture was wide open (meaning shallow depth of field I think?) Would setting the aperture to f8 or more help with getting the eyes and the wings in focus together?

Yes.
Can you find the setting you used for the shot?

Once you adjust for aperture to get the DOF, you then have to re adjust the other settings, ie- ISO and Exposure in Manual mode, or use Tv mode.

You're off to a great start.
Looking forward to more.

[astro_south (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Rocket Boy

Can you find the setting you used for the shot?

here is the EXIF data:

Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Shooting Date/Time
4/02/2007 11:48:30
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/640Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F5.6
Metering Modes
Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
100
Lens
EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Focal Length
55.0 mm
Image size
3888 x 2592
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF mode
Manual (MF)
Picture Style
Standard

[xelasnave]

Nice work.
Dagon flies are hard to get in the first instance simply they are on the move most of the time. Strangely I found auto was practical and to keep firing for a while,I mean you are lucky to get more than one shot before they go and even for that you have to be quick it is one of the rare times I use auto but it is on the basis getting something and as many as possible hoping you bagged it. You sould try a bat that has flown into the house they are impossible. I am after eagles mainly now again difficult you realy need a hide but they spot the lens and they are off.
On spiders as they dont move do a stack and you can get it all focused if you focus on different parts bearing in mind how you will have to build the image later. I dont know if you have tried doing that with staionary inserts.
I think your did well to get him really.
alex

[petal666]

If you get serious about macro get a dedicated macro lens so that you get up really close. I wouldn't call those images you have macro, rather 'close ups' although the dragon fly image would have been great if the eyes were in focus. That might have been you being inside the minimum focal distance of the 18-55

[ving (David)]

have ta go do some more macros now

nice guys!