Macro for the begginner

[TEKNO]

So I’ve been footering around with my new toy – fuji S9600 – and I have been trying to take some macro shots of the flowers in my house before they die as it will be another 6 mths before I ever have them in the house again.

So I have my Camera set on ‘A’. I flick on the macro setting, and a little flower appears in my viewfinder, if I press it again, I get the little flower with a magnifying glass – which I presume lets me get closer still. (There is no point in me reading the manual as it might as well be written in Spanglish as my knowledge is Zip at the minute!!)

However, when I take a picture of a flower, the centre is blurred, and the outside is in focus – and I just can’t seem get as close as some of the pictures I’ve seen on here.

I’ve messed about with the various settings but still no joy – the only way I seem to get it in focus is if I move about a foot away – but does that not defeat the purpose of macro?

Any tips? Would a tripod help for such close shots?

(apologies if this has been covered, I couldn’t find it – probably cause am a div !!):)

[brianfarrell]

I generally find that putting the camera on a tripod is a good idea in shots like you describe. Also manual focus rather than autofocus and Aperture priority - importantly, a small aperture - ie towards f/22 rather than f/2.8 - probably something like f/16. This will increase the depth of field and also make the shutter speed relatively slow - hence the tripod to avoid the shakes!

I suggest you post some pics so we can see what settings you have got and we'll be able to help I'm sure.

Deebo had a Fuji until recently so he might have some ideas about your 9600...

[TEKNO]

cool ill put them up this evening when i get home from work and list the settings as well. :)

[brianfarrell]

cool ill put them up this evening when i get home from work and list the settings as well. :)If you just post the pics we can see the settings used in the .jpg file. (Google 'exif viewer' for more info...)

[TEKNO]

oh right even if i have them hosted on photobucket - interesting - cool :) technology these days eh!!

[ranger]

most of the time you will still have a minimum focus distance even in macro mode so that may be why you need to be 1 foot away.
f8 would be a good start but if you can try a few different ones and see which is better for the flower you are shooting.
Up your iso to 400, that way you will get a faster shutter speed.
if you have a tripod then use that , it really is a god send.
Use your self timer even if you have a tripod aswell.that way the movement of you pressing the button will not knock the dof out.
Try and use natural light if you can it's better than using the flash.

hope this helps a little.

[DeeBo]

Hi Phil, the problem is either the focus distance required (u are too close) or the option for focusing you have set (you might have it set to closest object) I would try getting a tri-pod or mono pod and changing the macro so super macro which has a closer focusing range. U want to meet up tomorrow afternoon if the weather holds, mail me and sgt if you can.

Cheers, Dee

[TEKNO]

right i'll give that ago - higher iso etc - no tripod as yet - a couple of yellow pages + the phone book work for me atm.

thanks for the help - there is so many buttons on my camera its ridiculas - its like a nasa space ship :)

Mail inbound to Sgt + Dee

[spud]

I find macro shots the most difficult, and as everyone says a support is a must,1/8 inch movement will make a difference.

[LewiJ]

thing is different cameras (or more specifically lenses) are better or worse for macro, on an SLR you can get macro specific lenses which allow you to get really close, this is what alot of the really close up shots will be done with.

[jmalls]

Tekno,

There are other threads currently open discussing macro techniques.
May I draw your attention to:

http://www.wdphoto.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=44519#post44519
http://www.wdphoto.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=44561#post44561

Camera movement is also a massive problem with macro so you must use a tripod and if you can then employ your mirror lock-up facility, the self timer and a cable release (if available).




:)