mlevin77 Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 I'm using a macro lens on my Sony a6000 to take pictures of bugs and such. In the SCN mode for macro, the focus is such that only part of the subject is in focus and part is blurry. I'm not trying to get everything (like background) in focus, but it would be nice to have the whole insect sharp for example. I then tried setting Aperture priority mode with a large aperture, but then the shot takes forever to complete (even in bright daylight), so everything ends up blurry anyhow. What am I doing wrong - how do I set appropriate focus with a macro lens? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 16, 2017 Posted July 16, 2017 Hi mlevin77, Take a look here problems with focus with Macro lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest all8 Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 Try a faster/higher ISO value. mlevin77 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Username Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 ........ In the SCN mode for macro, the focus is such that only part of the subject is in focus ........ tried setting Aperture priority mode with a large aperture, but then the shot takes forever to complete (even in bright daylight), so everything ends up blurry anyhow. ......... I think you meant a large f/number ... not a large aperture. IOW you set a SMALL aperture, and acoarst the shutter hadda stay open much longer to collect enuf light thru the smaller aperture. While you are correct in using a smaller aperture to increase depth of field, short of engaging in rather exotic techniques you should work on how to place your limited DoF onto the subject in a way that presents the subject well, but does not requiring totally sharp focus "nose to tail" ... cuz you'll almost never have that. IOW it's also an aesthetic problem, not totally technical. Anywho, you should greatly increase the ISO. Subject-in-focus is waaaay more important than low noise. IOW, there is no free lunch. Something gotta give. mlevin77 and 32groove 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlevin77 Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 Aha, thanks - that makes sense. Is it possible to set this combo in the MR mode - as one of the 3 saved settings? I see how to switch between the 3 modes but I can't figure out how to go in and change the settings of each one. How do I do it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jaf-Photo Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 There are techniques for focus stacking. It means that you combine several images with different points of focus. The techniques are rather advanced, and ultimately unnessesary, as focus transitions are beautiful. When you shoot macro, a higher F-number will not make a huge difference in the depth of field but it will lower your shutter speed. If the shutter speed is too low, photos will be blurry anyway. Find a good balance between aperture, shutter speed and ISO. If you shoot in A mode you only have to set the aperture and keep an eye on shutter speed and ISO. You don't want to use too high ISO, either, because in macro details matter and high ISO ruins detail. Regarding your last question, I would advice against saving one set of preset settings for macro. It is much better to dial in the settings for various conditions. This will help develop your understanding for what the settings do for a picture. Insects are a bit skittish, so I would suggest practicing macro shots at home. Put a small piece of jewellry on top of a flower and try different aperture settings. When you find a setting that gives you the depth of field you want, try changing the lighting and dial in ISO to give you an acceptable shutter speed. Maybe it sounds silly, but these exercises do prepare you for that time when a rare butterfly lands on a flower and you have five seconds to shoot it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Username Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 Don't know where you're at bug-wise, but it's a common practice to refrigerate bugs to slow them down. You can even bring a cooler into field work using "blue ice". All the usual precautions apply, and you get only a brief period before the bug is back up to full speed. And no, I've never tried it on bugs ... but it works well on children. You can correct for the blue skin later in post ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jaf-Photo Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 I do it the other way around. I slow down my own movements to avoid spooking the critters. I also do it in street photography, for the same reason. Freezing other creatures is bad karma. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Username Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 I do it the other way around. I slow down my own movements to avoid spooking the critters. I also do it in street photography, for the same reason. Freezing other creatures is bad karma. I hope you use the word "freezing" kinda loosely here ? But for any others reading here, one does not actually freeze a bug, nor make it "pose" absolutely still. You cool it down to slow it down .... yes it's intrusion for the convenience of a human .... IOW, the bug is not being subject to anything that it doesn't otherwise normally encounter, without harm. Do I also hafta explain here about the children as well ? OK. They don't reeeeally ... not most times ... turn blue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jaf-Photo Posted July 19, 2017 Share Posted July 19, 2017 A dude I know, not really a friend, read about freezing insects for macros. He caught a hornet in a plastic tub, put it in the freezer, then brought it out to photograph it. He was using a macro filter, got too close and got stung something bad. So, I'm sticking with the bad karma argument Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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