Last month i just got a DSLR XSI. this month i bought a macro lens, the Tamron 90mm. i have been playing around with the camera and lens, but way to take pictures.

read the sticky at the top of this forum. then read the topic directly below this one, and then heed my advice in that thread.

thanks, didnt see the thread below me. I know this might be a dumb question but is it possible though to take decent macro shots without a tripod?

in bright daylight, perhaps. of a reef tank, generally not. unless you're Lalani.

http://gadget.brando.com/circular-macro-ha...93c057d001.html i would recommend this for macro lighting, but other then that i have to agree read the sticky.

i dont use a tripod for macros...i just usually have my lens RIGHT UP to the glass

this way you know for sure its perpendicular to the coral so no distortion of any sort

i do this with my 60mm macro with has a SUPER close working distance, the longer lens (100mm, 150mm etc)probably needs more distance.

reduce the aperture to F5.6-F8 for a sharp photo and less DOF. reduce ISO to 100-200. best to take picture in raw so you can adjust the photo accordingly in photoshop (white balance, exposure, curves etc)

So here is an macro shot of my chalice.....Still not happy with the shot though. It just doesn't look real. Do you guys know what i mean?
here are the specs

ISO 800
F32
WB is set to "Shade" ie 7000k(thats what it says..

oh and also I bought a tripod any advice, please tell me what you think

lower the ISO. if you have a tripod there's no reason you need a fast shutter speed.

also, it may be better to set the white balance to auto and fix it in post. how did you adjust the color in that image?

I did't do any image adjustments at all straight from camera. so you saying something like an ISO of 100-200 would work? and what do you mean fix it in post?

yeah, a lower ISO will give you a finer quality image. post = post processing, like in image editing software (photoshop, gimp, picasa, etc).

it's so blue. time for you to start reading up on how to process raw images, imo. also, you should be able to get much closer with that lens than the photo above.

ok gotcha, ill try to play with it in photoshop. but as far as how close i can get...that pretty much it. Unless im doing it wrong(which i probably am) the chalice is about 4-5 inches away from the glass

lower the ISO and LORD lower the fstop by alot..shoot at like f13 will greatly increase your shutter speed and that will help with some motion blur if you are getting it. F32 is hurting you more then helping. You start to get refraction at around f16 and just going to f32 probably will make the image not as sharp compared to f13 or f11...If your trying to make the entire scene in focus on all the shots a P&S would have probably been a better and cheaper choice as it can do that for you.
Shoot in RAW and adjust the WB in post process.

I shoot macros at around f/16 all day and just about everyday with no tripod. Just match shutter speed to something that you can handhold with.

Looking at your settings, here are the equivalents:

ISO 800 ISO 400 ISO 200
f/32 f/16 f/8

Shoot your pics in RAW and adjust white balance in software instead. Even shooting at WB temp of 10,000k (I shoot all macros at this and adjust in CS3 afterwards), you'll find out that it'll still come out rather blue.

Depending on the diffraction point for the camera, try not to step down that much. For my D2X, the diffraction point is at f/11, but I push past that. For lenses, greatest sharpness is usually achieved at 1-2 stops down. It doesn't mean that you can't shoot it stopped down to f/32, but it just means that it really isn't necessary (also depends on your magnification: 1:1 or lower).

Looks like you were trying to shoot a miami hurricane chalice or something. Here's one I shot awhile back. Settings were: ISO 200, f/11, shutter speed 1/60, lens used: Nikon 105mm VR macro

Ok so here is another pic i took today, here are the specs
ISO 200
Shutter Speed 3"
F8
also did some post work in aperture...anybody else use this?

Do you have you have your pumps running?

Shutter speed 3 seconds...

Even if your pumps were off and the tentacles move on that sucker you'll have a somewhat of a blurry image. Up your shutter speed.

I disagree with this 100%
This was a 13sec exposure

pumps were off, i was playing with shutter speed. i was in manual mode. if i made the shutter speed any faster the image would start getting darker

I shoot handheld, no tripod w/all pumps going, so yes, try doing that w/a 3" or 15" exposure. I guarantee you that you will get a blurry shot.

I shoot pics from other people's tank, similar to the shot that I posted. I don't ask them to turn their pumps off. That shot happens to be in a tank with 4 vortech MP40W + nano wavebox + big koralia.

Would you like a cookie for not having the right gear and shoot the way to get the shot you need without worrying about movement. Dont give advice to someone because you are not doing the technique to give someone the ability to shoot an exposure as long as they want.

Wait, the OP is shooting 3" exposures without using a tripod?

Not having the right gear. You've gotta be kidding me right? Check the exif info...

Not giving someone the ability to shoot an exposure as long as they want...uhm, reread what I wrote.

Also tell me, do you shoot longer exposure most of the time only? I'm giving him the advice to shoot the most versatile way possible. Chances are you are likely to shoot a faster exposure time than a slower one.

You flat out tell the guy he needs a faster exposure time..Going by on the way you think is the way to shoot..When clearly shooting corals and macro tripod is pretty much a necessity and whoop de doo you shoot stuff hand held and I am sure you have to jack the crap out of the ISO to get anything usable. When i shoot Macro shots..they are all around 1/2sec to 3sec depending on the subject..Its a whole different story if I am shooting with my 24-70 because you can get enough shutter speed..but the OP is asking about Macro shooting. Tripod is a needed item when shooting macro because most fishtanks just do not make enough light to be able to shoot 1:1 hand held shots...I can careless about your EXIF info..last time I checked it doesnt tell you when used a tripod. your also using a Macro with stabilization. Overpriced lens there for what it is because they added it..Just like the new canon 100 IS is over priced because of IS...

Tripods are a tool to assist in getting the right exposure when you are using longer shutter speeds. is it possible to get good shots going the handholding method? Yes, but that is the exception and not the rule generally.

TO the OP i would again recommend that book i posted earlier in this thread.

I have to side with O5X the is macro 100mm is way overpriced!

I won't get into a flame war here, but I can tell you why I shoot the way I do and the reason why I posted before.

1) Do I shoot with a tripod...yes at times. Majority of the time, no. I like shooting in public places and other people's tanks. In public aquariums, you don't have the luxury of shooting with a tripod (you do if you go to an event as an invitee or an after hour event).
2) Do I shoot with a 105mm VR lens...yes. I also shoot with a Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro, the 55mm f/3.5 micro, the 105mm f/2.8 micro (non-VR), the 60mm f/2.8 micro, 50mm f/1.4D (with and without extension tubes). Only one of these lenses have VR, and you know what? VR isn't necessary and most people don't use it to shoot macro (I leave VR off when I shoot). The reason why is simple. To engage VR, it takes time. Subject matters move, including fish, bugs, etc.
3) Expensive lenses such as the 105mm VR. I've gone through and own various lenses and why do I use this as my main macro lens? It's because it's a great balance of both sharpness, focusing speed, working distance, and balance. To some it's expensive, but when you want to nail a shot, pick whatever will work for you.
4) ISO boosting. I usually don't shoot anything beyond ISO 400. Why is that the case? I shoot with an older D2X, which doesn't perform as well as most of the newer cameras as far as noise is concern. Most tanks have enough light for you to shoot a macro shot with a balance of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.
5) Using a tripod. Is it necessary. Sure it is and like I said, if I was dealing with a real low light condition, then yes. Why don't I use one? It's just my shooting style and mine alone. I've seen some amazing shots taken with one (the acan posted earlier being one) but for me, it doesn't suit my style. Also, some people prefer to take some top down shots. Do they use tripods? Nope. It's due to the need for a top down box and the angle that's needed to shoot them...
6) exif info. Why bother with them? Well for one, it's a great way to go back later on down the road to see how you shot something that you like. Instead of starting from a baseline and taking test exposure and settings, you have something to work off of from the beginning. Some people are meticulous with notes, others not so. exif info is a great way to keep notes as the picture was taken without having to write down anything.

These are handhelds shots, non-VR on (if that particular lens was used), non-tripod, not boosted ISO...
105mm VRs:


















50mm 1.4Ds:




Tamron 90mm f/2.8s:





This is also my last post in this thread. I came here to post both my advice and experiences and not to get into a flame war. It doesn't look like it's needed or even wanted. I'm not here to get thrashed for 'not having the right gear, shooting w/boosted ISO, etc.'. Didn't think that constructive criticism and advice were so hard to give. Best of luck.