Macro photography is a specialized area typically dealing with very small subjects. There are also "Macro Lenses" which are designed with macro photography in mind, and lower cost alternatives such as close up filters and extension tubes.
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Why are macros from my new DSLR no better than those from my P&S?
I have been using a 14mp point and shoot for a couple of years. I like to take macros of flowers, frost and bugs. I want to keep zooming in on my PC to see deeper into the flower, so I bought a 18mp ...
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1answer
275 views
What causes this bluish tint and other anomalies in this image?
I bought a Tamron CF Macro 28-70mm 3.5-4.5 lens on eBay for $35 AUD plus postage - cheap enough to give it a go and see what it's like.
I took a range of photos with my Sony NEX-C3 to get a feel for ...
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1answer
940 views
How does Nikon measure “minimum focus distance” for Macro/Micro lenses?
This question is about Nikon SLR terminology. The answer could be different for non-SLR cameras, or for different maker.
The "minimum focusing distance" in the spec — it's measured and listed between ...
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Can you recommend a macro lens for a micro 4/3 camera?
I've recently purchased a micro 4/3 camera (Panasonic GF1), and I'm aware that with an appropriate adapter, I can use a large variety of third-party lenses.
I'm interested in experimenting with macro ...
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How did Suren Manvelyan create the macro pictures of eyes?
I came across some really cool macro photos of eyes today. How did he manage to get these photos? I couldn't find any EXIF information anywhere, and I don't have enough experience with macro to figure ...
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1answer
445 views
How do I use a manual ring flash?
I have just purchased (impulse) a Viltrox JY-670 - Its a Hong Kong import - built well but its not TTL so its 100% manual ! yay fun !
What on earth do I do with the numbers on the back - already ...
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2answers
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What extension tube options are there for the Pentax system?
From the reading I have done on extension tubes, I understand that some are just 'dumb' tubes while others have electronics that may allow for metering and autofocus to still work. Further, from this ...
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206 views
Do normal macro lenses suffer the same light reduction as tubes?
When stacking tubes to make a normal lens a macro lens, you have significant light lost due to the increased distance. Do normal macro lenses suffer the same fate? Why or why not?
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Why is the Canon MP-E 65mm F/2.8 Macro Lens not called a zoom?
The Canon MP-E 65mm works differently than my other macro lenses. Compare:
With a standard 35mm macro, I can frame first and then adjust focus which only changes framing very slightly with.
With the ...
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6answers
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Is it normal to get really crazy shallow DOF with a macro lens?
I just received my new Canon 100mm USM autofocus macro lens. I took a bunch of pictures outdoors, but I'm getting really crazy shallow depth of field with the pictures that's making it really hard to ...
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522 views
Analysis of a macro shot with very fast shutter speed
Recently I came across a macro photo here, with this properties:
Focal Length: 105mm
Shutter Speed: 1/3200 sec
Aperture: f/4
ISO/Film: 200
So I am looking for possible reasons as to why ...
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What lenses are best for food photography?
What lenses are best for taking photos of cooked dishes?
In some articles, I have read that I can have great results with lenses f/1.4 because they are cheap and they give that nice blurred ...
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Does high shutter speed make up for no tripod?
I take a lot of macro pictures, so using a tripod can be very inconvenient at times. And when I'm so close to an insect I find my hands shaking a lot even though I try to be as stable as possible. So ...
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2answers
650 views
How can I get more of this macro photo in focus?
I want to make a full focus on the body, for example:
I need to have a clear focus on the each balls in the photo. I used just single point focus.
In this picture I used:
shutter speed: 8
...
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5answers
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Does crop factor increase the minimum focus distance?
I currently have a Canon 100mm 2.8L mounted on a cropped sensor camera, which makes it 160mm equivalent. I have two questions.
Since the equivalent focal length is 160mm, does that mean that the ...
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I want to make a macro photo of an ant. What equipment should I have?
I have the camera Nikon D90 and I don't want to buy Nikkor 105 mm Micro lens at this moment(even it may be the best solution: I hope it's not the only solution!).
I have tripod and remote shutter ...
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7answers
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Which lenses are best for macro and for birdwatching (both Canon and Nikon)?
Now I have old Sony A100 DSLR + Minolta AF 24-50/4, Minolta AF 50/1.6, Tokina ATX 80-400/4.5-5.6, ...
My camera is old.
In near future I am going to buy new DSLR.
I think it will be Canon or Nikon. I ...
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5answers
401 views
How to set up a diamond for photography?
I'm trying to take a photo of a small, princess cut (square), 0.5 carat diamond . I have hard time placing it on a surface as I would like to one of the diamonds sides to be flat on the table. The ...
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5answers
576 views
Is Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 stabilized, can it be used for handheld shots?
Has a Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 got an Image Stabiliser?
Following an answer to a previous question re my wifes Canon EOS 450D in which Jrista suggested the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 lens rather than the ...
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4answers
678 views
Are there macro focusing techniques for handheld shots?
I know that when doing much macro work that the autofocus system is nearly useless. When hand holding and trying to manually focus, I find myself continually going a little too far or just not far ...
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2answers
745 views
DIY Lighting for Macro Photography
I am using a simple reversal ring to mess around with macro photography at my home. My question is this what is the best way to light shots for macro photography?
A Few Notes:
I am photographing ...
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2answers
432 views
Macro differences between Canon S90 and G11
Why the Canon S90 does not handle macros as well as the Canon G11? I understand the S90 has a minimum focus distance of 5cm, while the G11 can focus at 1cm, but why there is this difference since they ...
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2answers
176 views
What are the constructional differences between a macro and a regular lens?
I understand that to reduce minimum focusing distances, macro lens design must focus on maintaining certain distances between the lens and the sensor.
However, is the placement of the lens and its ...
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1answer
405 views
Does Nikon or anybody else have an equivalent on the Canon MP-E 65?
The Canon MP-E 65 can do macro shots up to 5:1. I've not been able to find anything like this for my Nikon system and you can't mount a Canon on a Nikon at all. Do Nikon or any third party make a ...
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How can I calculate the change an extension tube makes to the maximum magnification of a lens? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can I calculate what the effect of an extension tube will be?
My understanding is that extension tubes increase the magnification of lenses by reducing their minimum ...
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2answers
357 views
What is the effective aperture of two stacked lenses for macro?
Is there a way to calculate the aperture of two lenses stacked together for macro? In my specific case, I have 90mm f/2.8 and 18mm 1/3.5 lenses.
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1answer
220 views
How to shoot a persons eye
I've recently seen several close up amazing shots of peoples eyes. I really want to be able to take a similar shot and am not sure what approach is best.
I've got a rock solid manfrotto tripod and a ...
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8answers
660 views
What macro techniques offer an alternative to expensive optics?
I was wondering what are the alternative macro techniques people use instead of buying expensive macro optics. I know about single lens reverse macro technique; what other alternative techniques allow ...
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4answers
915 views
Good point and shoot for jewelry photography?
I have a friend/client (a jeweler) who needs to purchase a new camera. He has a nice lightbox setup (I think something specifically intended for jewelry use - he mentioned "full spectrum lights", ...
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4answers
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How do Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 and EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro lenses compare?
I've read over a few of the macro posts on this site, and I'm very new to digital photography, so I have a few questions, and some may be overlapping. I have a Canon EOS Rebel T3, and I want to buy a ...
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How can I get sharp macro photos like this example?
How can I get a sharp photo like this photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/opoterser/4189239614/in/photostream
For macro photography, I use a Nikon 105mm VR II with D300s. Can I get something like ...
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How to reverse the canon 18-55 kit lens to use it as macro?
I have been trying to use my 18-55 kit lens as a macro but have no idea how to go about it.
Do I need an adapter to mount the lens reversed on the camera?
Also, is it possible to use canon 50mm f/1.8 ...
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4answers
306 views
How do you take pictures of creatures which may move away when you get close to them?
How do macro pros shoot animals, even flies or dragonflies since they can fly away forever at any moment? I sometimes suspect they have some trick to stun or immobilize them.
Just as an example look ...
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1answer
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Why does my camera show “f00” when using extension tubes for shooting close ups?
As a beginner in close up photography, I am using extension tubes with my Canon 550D and standard 18-55mm lens. I noticed that when I use this, the f-stop meter in the camera does not work and always ...
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2answers
1k views
wide angle and macro lens converter or adapter
I'm new to the world of photography and also have a pretty tight budget, so I'm interested if anyone has tried using a wide angle + macro lens converter/adaptor such as this (Forum discussion about ...
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2answers
710 views
Wider angle lens for indoor photography?
I'm an amateur photographer and only just picked up my first DSLR (went for a 50D with a basic 18-55mm Canon IS lens) and was considering purchasing a wider angle lens such as the Sigma 28mm f/1.8-22 ...
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4answers
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Need a list of good Macro/Super Macro digital cameras
I'm looking for a good Macro/Super macro digital camera for taking pictures of small objects like stamps,coins, and jewelry. I will be using it for selling items on Ebay. I'm looking for a camera that ...
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2answers
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How can I calculate magnification ratio I get by reversing a lens?
I am looking for a way to mathematically determine the maximum magnification ratio that is possible/practical to achieve by reverse mounting a non-macro lens, prior to purchasing the lens.
See ...
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2answers
717 views
How can I estimate the reproduction ratio of an unknown macro setup?
If I have a macro setup consisting of more than a normal 1:1 lens (tubes, reversal, or anything else), how can I measure the reproduction ratio (2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 3:1, etc.)?
What process can I follow ...
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2answers
385 views
Are reverse mounts only for use with prime lenses?
Are reverse lens mounts only for use with prime lenses? I was wondering if I could use my zoom lens with a reverse mount.
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2answers
571 views
Which Nikon-mount Sigma macro zoom lens for a beginner?
I am a photography beginner.
I have a Nikon D90 with the kit lens. I am planning to buy an additional lens.
I started with a Canon S3IS, and shot some macro photos, which I think are good.
I want ...
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1answer
430 views
When should I prefer 2-way or 4-way macro focusing rails?
I've been struggling with positioning camera in macro photography and have been thinking of getting a macro focusing rail. It seems there are at least two kinds, 2-way and 4-way adjustable.
When ...
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4answers
323 views
Am I making a good camera/lens purchasing decision?
I'm about to purchase:
Canon T2i with included EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Canon Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens
This is for photography 2D artwork of different media and I've made this ...
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2answers
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Can a fast prime lens simulate a macro lens for food photography?
I read in this thread that macro lenses are considered good for food photography.
AFAIK, macro lenses are also used to photograph insects. The lens makes them look giant, and shows up all their ...
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4answers
2k views
What aperture settings should I use for taking macro photos of artwork?
So I'm using the macro to photograph artwork with a T2i. I'm still just testing right now without studio lighting, but when I tried to zoom in (digitally) and focus with the camera display it seems to ...
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4answers
218 views
Doubt about focusing in the lens?
I usually find after blowing out my pic in computer that at one point (where I wished to focus) image is very sharp, then as I inspect the picture I see that some more part of the image either ...
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3answers
881 views
What macro lens should I buy in place of the 18-55mm kit lens?
I am planning to buy a Nikon D5100, body only. I'd like to go with a macro lens which gives better results than the 18-55mm, as I have heard that the results from this basic kit lens are not good.
...
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2answers
2k views
What does the 'macro' mode on my camera actually do?
Background
I have a Panasonic DMC-FZ20, however I would imagine this question applies to most point-and-shoot cameras with a built-in macro mode.
I accidentally left my camera in macro mode while ...
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4answers
2k views
Is Flash a Must-Have For Macro Photography?
I want to start into macro photography this year so I've chose the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens to start with (I still haven't bought it since I'll do it next week, which I'll be in the ...
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3answers
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How useful is image stabilization in a macro lens?
When looking at the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM and the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM the biggest differentiation is the included image stabilization(also the MTF chart, and "L" designation). How useful ...
