It's winter outside. January. The only people outside are the nutcases that think snow is for playing in.

I got my BR-2A reversing ring and have been trying to make the 50MM lens work reversed. Now even my glasses hurt. I couldn't really get anything in focus, so I'm giving the eyes a breakover here.

I'm new here and have always loved macro photography, but so far cant afford a macro lense (always shot macro with a friends stuff). I think I'm going to get the reversing ring for my 50mm to play with.

I'm a lurker in general and most definately in the Macro forum. I have seen some amazing works here, you all know who you are.

I would like to try my hand at some macro photography. I just purchased a Canon 100mm f/2.8. I would like to have some fun with flowers come Spring. (I'm not into bugs, well, maybe a ladybug In the meantime, there are odds and ends around the house that I was thinking might look abstract/artsy fartsy up close and personal.

Here is what I've found out so far. (A) I have a dirty sensor. I don't usually shoot at f11 or f16, who knew! (B) I need more LIGHT when shooting stopped down, Duh. (C) Tripods and remote releases and mirror lock up make a difference. (D) Might want to actually clean the kitchen counter first, my ageing eyes didn't see the salt? until viewing my photo.

What surprised me was the MFD of this lens. You can cheat a little, but bottom line is that you can't get closer than say 9 - 10", at least with my copy of the 100mm. At this point, I feel like I've been shooting close-up, but not macro. I want to get CLOSER, should I pick up some Kenko tubes?

Regarding lighting...... I have two 580ex's and a cord. What are you all using to diffuse an off camera flash?

hey Tom and to everyone else.
this is my first post and I have been looking on the forum at some of the shots and I said to myself "wow I am WAY out of my league". But I am here to learn after all. I want to better myself in photography. maybe I will get some of your opinions on thing when I get enough nerves to post a picture.

Hi all, n00b here from Boston. I shoot with the Canon XTi, and just picked up the 100mm/2.8 macro after pouring over the forums and reviews here.

Adore the site, wanted to say thanks to all for sharing your amazing shots and insight. Like some others I'm guessing my skills might not be up to par, but I'm hoping to find some kind of seeds for the Feb challenge.

I usually look at Portraits and the Canon-mount forums, seldom straying from those because all I will see on the others, including this one, is stuff so good I can't possibly compete with it. Call it intimidation. I do have extension tubes and a macro lens and love taking pictures of small things, especially jewelry, but I haven't posted anything here.

Tom...

My name is Sam and I have been looking at this site for over two years and yes I didn't think I belonged here. I would see the post counts for some of you guys and think that you all would just hate newbs.I slowly started using the Lens review pages to make a lot of my decisions on glass, then moved on to the forums just to read. Last september I registered but I was still I guess too afraid to post anything lol. Tom I can't thank you enough...I never was a huge macro shooter but I stopped by the Macro forums anyways just to see what's here and I ran across this post and it really motivated me to start posting and learning and my post count might be pretty small but I have learned so much from so many people here within this last month or so. I just bought the 100mm macro for canon and I can't wait to start using it and getting advice from others. Again I wanted to thank you for your welcome and friendliness around the community

Hi All --

I'm also new to the site. I've been awed by the outstanding photos posted, and just signed up yesterday to post a few of my own.

I first bought a digital camera in late 2006, and have been hooked ever since. In November, I bought a 100 macro, and just love it. I shoot with a Canon 30D.

My goal is to really learn good photography, so please feel free to be honest in your critiques. All comments will be much appreciated. Thanks, in advance.

Sam Bortol wrote:
Tom...

My name is Sam and I have been looking at this site for over two years and yes I didn't think I belonged here. I would see the post counts for some of you guys and think that you all would just hate newbs.I slowly started using the Lens review pages to make a lot of my decisions on glass, then moved on to the forums just to read. Last september I registered but I was still I guess too afraid to post anything lol. Tom I can't thank you enough...I never was a huge macro shooter but I stopped by the Macro forums anyways just to see what's here and I ran across this post and it really motivated me to start posting and learning and my post count might be pretty small but I have learned so much from so many people here within this last month or so. I just bought the 100mm macro for canon and I can't wait to start using it and getting advice from others. Again I wanted to thank you for your welcome and friendliness around the community


Your welcome Sam , glad your here my friend.

Thank you Tom Hicks!!!

Tad

I have owned several macro lenses but have never really got into it. It seems to get decent results you have to use a tripod and release and shoot at above f/8 for good results. This poses a problem with light and shutter speeds when using f/8 and above.

I know that a tripod and release lets you use slower shutter speeds but if your shooting in the field, when it is constantly windy, slow shutter speeds won't cut it. A flash setup can help some but thats something else you have to manage.

I certainly enjoy the macro work I see but it isn't something that I can do in the field everyday without the weather cooperating. I would love to know what others do to contend with windy conditions which I seem to face on a daily basis in the spring.

Jim

I really loved macro photography when I was using a Panasonic FZ50, so I was quite excited about the possibilities once I finally bit the bullet and bought a dslr. How disappointing it turned out to be. Not that the images let me down, it was just so much more difficult. The FZ50 has optical image stabilisation (mega, no less!), but for reasons known only to themselves, Canon haven't seen fit to equip any of their macro lenses with IS. This means using a tripod to achieve shots that I was able to get (albeit at a substantially lower quality, but still quite usable) handheld with the Panasonic. This is not always practical, or even possible. I was also shocked at just how shallow the depth of field of the 100 f2.8 is. I couldn't even get a whole ant in focus. Still, I do love macro, and I'm not about to give up on it. This summer I'm going to make a concerted effort to learn how to use this excellent lens. Now that I have more than one body, I can leave it attached and not worry about missing any brilliant non-macro opportunities that might fortuitously present themselves.

Frank

Hello,

I have been a lurker for while. This is my first time posting photos. All of these are taken with a 10D and 50mm f/2.5 CM.

This is a collage of the first images I ever took with my 10D (I'll admit that I fed the ant to the spider)



Below is a house spider on a carpet.



Now that I have a 5D, I want to get a MP-E 65mm f/2.8 and MT-24 EX.

Anti Matter wrote:
... Canon haven't seen fit to equip any of their macro lenses with IS. This means using a tripod to achieve shots that I was able to get (albeit at a substantially lower quality, but still quite usable) handheld with the Panasonic. This is not always practical, or even possible. ...

Frank

The solution tends to be flash. A lot of critters move fast, so a slow shutter speed with IS or a tripod won't help you get an image of a wasp in flight.

Another lurker here as well... I've been photographing more or less serious for the last 15 or so years, but I've never just got the spark for macro, not counting few closeups (round 1:2-3) - until couple of weeks ago with few experiments with a reversed 50mm and an orchid. Actually partially inspired by the FM macro world.

Currently thinking if I should sell some of my less used gear and get a 105mm Micro and start experimenting more, spring is starting (to some extent) and bringing bright new world with it...

Hi

My name is Matt and I am almost a lurker.

I've been seen carry cameras since the age of 3 (a robust Agfa Silette) and have worked through that, an Olmpus 35 RC, and now have 2 Spotmatics and a Nikon F80. A D200 or 300 might get added this year.

I am probably best described as a photographic tinkerer, an urge made worse by having signed up to do a photographic course run by a certain UK magazine

An example macro shot here (hopefully):

Another lurker here...although that's probably a stretch, as I've only just found this forum. A friend posts here in People Photogaphy and told me of the talent there.

I am completely astounded by the talent here in Macro World!! But, fear not...I will soon be pestering you with shots and questions: am taking delivery of a set of Kenko extension tubes and will hook them up to my trusty D80 and 50mm f/1.8d and begin to get my macro feet wet.

Now, if the IRS will just send my my tax refund, I'll order my Tamron 90mm macro and SB-600 speedlite and we'll be off to the races, hopefully!

Cheers, Kenny.

Duncan Gibson wrote:
Anti Matter wrote:
... Canon haven't seen fit to equip any of their macro lenses with IS. This means using a tripod to achieve shots that I was able to get (albeit at a substantially lower quality, but still quite usable) handheld with the Panasonic. This is not always practical, or even possible. ...

Frank

The solution tends to be flash. A lot of critters move fast, so a slow shutter speed with IS or a tripod won't help you get an image of a wasp in flight.


That's true, Duncan, but insects in flight aren't always the intended target. A slower moving critter in amongst the foliage or petals, for instance, might not be a good candidate for using a flash. Leaves, petals, twigs etc could cast unwanted shadows on the scene, and could even put the subject completely in the dark. Besides, if they can put IS on the 600mm lens (hardly handholdable by the majority of shutterbugs!), surely they could offer IS on the longer focal length macro lenses. Just my 2 cents...

Frank

I've been a lurker for about a year, just started posting and I'm finding the feed-back absolutely excellent. Such a learning experience! My husband kept telling me my shots were great, but I thought he was just saying that cuz he loves me. It's nice to get positive feedback, and negative to know what I'm doing wrong.

These forums are so much more professional and friendly that the previous one I spent a lot of time on, I won't drop names, but it was becoming so harsh and so many threads with very harsh responses.

Thanks FM and all you pros/semi-pros/serious amatuers/noobs that make this all possible!

Jo

I have been lurking for a month now. I'm mostly a portrait photographer. I wanted to try Macro so I bought the Canon 100mm Macro last week, went to Aruba for my Honeymoon, and shot various butterflies at the Butterfly Sanctuary. Just got back and I still haven't unpacked. The sudden change in weather is just making me lazy and will probably process the pictures this weekend.

I define NOob and Lurker. I just started and i am already thrilled with eerything. Well, expect some flower shots, and dont expect em to be good

New here to FM. Macro and close-up is what I love to do most. Here are some recent orchid samples from the US Botanic Garden.

lanthier wrote:
New here to FM. Macro and close-up is what I love to do most. Here are some recent orchid samples from the US Botanic Garden.

Welcome to FM, I like your shots.

I'm a lurker. Want to get into macro but can't yet. Looking to pick up a sigma 105mm soon and hope to contribute.

Every time I see a new thread, I go in hoping hte OP would post his equipment. What lens, extension tubes, closeup filters, reversing ring, etc.

S Dao,

You can click on the posters avatar and often see the equipment they have, your right in a perfect would be nice to have the equipment used to capture the shot posted.

Thomas