Canon EOS Rebel SL1

JasonsPlecosCichlids

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Jan 23, 2010
3,589
1,574
179
43
Kentucky
jasonsplecoscichlids.com
Finally picked up a DSLR few days ago. Went to the woods today before the fireworks to look for snakes, no snakes but did take a lot of photos of butterflies, etc.

I used a 40mm Macro Lens. Now when I see others post their macro shots, they all seem to be a lot close than that I got. Is that because I'm not using the correct setting or are they using a more powerful macro lens such as 60mm-100mm?

Here are some shots today with the macro lens.

What macro settings should I be using? Current settings are:

AV Mode
F11
ISO 200

DSC_0026.JPG

DSC_0114.JPG

DSC_0122.JPG

IMG_0145.JPG

IMG_0156.JPG

IMG_0158.JPG

IMG_0172.JPG

IMG_0174.JPG

IMG_0176.JPG

IMG_0178.JPG

IMG_0188.JPG

IMG_0192.JPG

IMG_0193.JPG

IMG_0199.JPG

IMG_0204.JPG

IMG_0205.JPG

IMG_0222.JPG

IMG_0223.JPG

IMG_0234.JPG

IMG_0235.JPG
 

jclyde13

Blue Tier VIP
MFK Member
Jun 18, 2009
4,611
177
371
28
Louisville, KY
The longer the focal length of the macro lens, the "closer" your pics can be. 40mm is a fairly wide angle for a macro. From my understanding (I'm a still a novice photographer), larger subjects should also be easier to get in focus with a longer focal length, because you can be farther away from the subject while still having the close framing, which should maximize your depth of field (the closer you are to the subject, the shallower the depth of field).

Your shots look pretty good. All I can really suggest is to try using a higher shutter speed for the butterfly pics. That would reduce the motion blur.
 

JasonsPlecosCichlids

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Jan 23, 2010
3,589
1,574
179
43
Kentucky
jasonsplecoscichlids.com
Thanks for the info. I forgot to mention that I purchased a macro lens that screws onto the lens, it seems to work really well but I've been told it will degrade the photo.
This is it: http://www.newwestdirect.com/Canon-...h-Definition-2-Element-/p-443473?refid=Google

I can really get close to the subject now, about 5", before it was more than double that. I was able to take a macro of a quarter for testing.

What mm macro do you suggest?

Also read that a lot of folks crop their photos to get that close up so I did the same and they look a lot better. Some look to me, spot on, while others seem to be blurry and not as crisp as I'd like to see.

IMG_0171.JPG

IMG_0172.JPG

IMG_0176.JPG

IMG_0177.JPG

IMG_0181.JPG

IMG_0188.JPG

IMG_0191.JPG

IMG_0194.JPG

IMG_0199.JPG

IMG_0212.JPG

IMG_0213.JPG

IMG_0215.JPG

IMG_0217.JPG

IMG_0219.JPG

IMG_0226.JPG

IMG_0236.JPG

IMG_0240.JPG

IMG_0241.JPG

IMG_0242.JPG
 

duanes

MFK Moderators
Staff member
Moderator
MFK Member
Jun 7, 2007
20,931
26,153
2,910
Isla Taboga Panama via Milwaukee
Maybe you have something similar to what I use, a macro ring that screws on the front of the true lens (I also use the Canon Rebel).
The ring was recommended by a pro to me, to try first, to get the feel of macro, before spending the large amount of cash needed for a "true" macro lens.

99% of the shots I take with it are useless to me, (might be because I am old and less steady than I used to be). A tripod usually helps, but fish seldom cooperate.
When I'm lucky I get this below

most of the time, I get shots similar to below, or worse.

 

JasonsPlecosCichlids

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Jan 23, 2010
3,589
1,574
179
43
Kentucky
jasonsplecoscichlids.com
I have a tripod and was using it this weekend, helps out a lot. I do have one of the maco lens that I bought for my other camera but it needed a stepping ring but the lens screws right on to my current maco lens and I'm able to get a lot closer to my subject but I really want to get a dedicated macro lens here soon.
 
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store