[Sage97]

Still newbie pics but I'm getting a bit better. Any suggestions on what I can do better would be highly appreciated. I'd like to get even more macro than what I am getting. Do I invest in tubes or something else?

[Jim Z.]

Hi,

Get closer to your subject so that it becomes the main part of your image. You should be able to get in closer with that Sigma 105mm. Also try not to center the subject matter. In fact, cropping an image like your bee in flight so that the bee is positioned in the lower left-hand third of a horizontal crop will help convey direction to the animal's motion. Even though you have harsh lighting, the backgrounds came out very well and you are off to a great start. .

[Sage97]

Excellent tips. Thanks very much Jim.

[Sage97]

So there isn't anything I need to add on to the Sigma?

[MSL]

Well as a starting point, how far were you from the subject and compare this to the minimum focus distance for this lens. If A>>B you can get a lot closer before you need anything to get larger. The other way of looking at it, and perhaps more important, is what is the size of the bee relative to your sensor. On a guess, a typical bee will fill 50 - 100% of the sensor, so you don't need to magnify beyond 1:1 for the most part.

[Sage97]

Well as a starting point, how far were you from the subject and compare this to the minimum focus distance for this lens. If A>>B you can get a lot closer before you need anything to get larger. The other way of looking at it, and perhaps more important, is what is the size of the bee relative to your sensor. On a guess, a typical bee will fill 50 - 100% of the sensor, so you don't need to magnify beyond 1:1 for the most part.

Good advice. I'll try to see how close I can get. May need to pick stationary subjects. Thanks MSL.

[Rense]

I think these pics are excellent in colour and lighting. However, if you want real macro, so 1:1 or higher magnification, you could look at the macro photography entries on my blog (see my sig) and - highly recommended - some youtube clips:

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

[slackercruster]

Nice colors!!

Thanks!

[Sage97]

I think these pics are excellent in colour and lighting. However, if you want real macro, so 1:1 or higher magnification, you could look at the macro photography entries on my blog (see my sig) and - highly recommended - some youtube clips:

Really appreciate it Rense. Will watch your tutorials as soon as I get home. Will hope to post pics based on what I learn from you and others here.

[Sage97]

I think these pics are excellent in colour and lighting. However, if you want real macro, so 1:1 or higher magnification, you could look at the macro photography entries on my blog (see my sig) and - highly recommended - some youtube clips:

Wowser!

I'll continue experimenting with the working distance on my Sigma 105mm but just out of curiosity, do you think reversing my 43mm on top of my Sigma would work like your Panagor combo?