Close up photography tips

[bicster]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to get some really good close up photos of my watch collection and it's not working out too well for me.

I have a Canon D600 (T3i), tripod, a Canon 50mm f/1.8 fixed frame lens and an extension tube, so I feel like I have the kit to do the job but I can't get it.

My watches are either out of focus or dull looking and I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

So, any tips on what you guys use and how you get the killer shots would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Bic

[TheMethod]

You probably need a macro lens, my 18-55mm kit lens couldn't get anything for closeups so I bought a 70mm-300mm macro lens and it took great closeup pictures. The olloclip is also great for taking macro shots on your iphone.

[tinger]

If its out of focus, the aperture is not close down enough. The closer the subject is to the film plane the shallower the field of focus.

Try a smaller aperture.. i.e. f16 instead of f4.
The downside is the shutter speed is going to be alot slower. You'll most likely need a tripod unless there's tons of ambient light. (basically each fstop is half/or double the speed)

good luck

[samsam]

Originally Posted by tinger

If its out of focus, the aperture is not close down enough. The closer the subject is to the film plane the shallower the field of focus.

Try a smaller aperture.. i.e. f16 instead of f4.
The downside is the shutter speed is going to be alot slower. You'll most likely need a tripod unless there's tons of ambient light. (basically each fstop is half/or double the speed)

good luck

This

[beshannon]

I just use the macro setting on my Panasonic point and shoot, no tripod, no flash

[ocabj]

If you use an extension tube, the minimum and maximum focusing distance is reduced dramatically.

For example, I have a Canon EF 25 II extension tube. If I use it with a Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM, the minimum focal distance is around 3" and the max is maybe a half to 1" more, compared to the stock minimum focus distance of 12" on the lens without the extension tube.

Also, forget using AF. To focus, try moving back and forth from the object to figure out what your focusing distance is going to be. From there, you can use the focus ring on the lens to make the final adjustments. You're going to want a tripod with an extension tube.

Extension tubes are cheap alternatives to dedicated Macro lenses, but they have their drawbacks and limitations, and you need to work within them. But they can produce pretty good results.

[mfer]

My advice with an 18meg camera for simple macro.

Open the aperture and work on lighting lighting lighting. You can crop to some pretty nice macros.

[RetailSlave]

Extension tubes can be tricky. It takes lots of patience and having live view helps. I suggest setting the camera and tripod up first, then moving your subject back and forth until you get correct focus. Normally I would adjust the camera to the subject, but when doing macro with tubes or reverse rings I find it easier to set the camera and move the subject into focus. Once you get the focus correct I would use a remote to active the shutter, if not then go with the timer to minimize camera shake.