In reply to Post #2038
Many thanks for posting, certainly a improvement. Will definitely give this a try when I'm feeling brave enough!
Many thanks for posting, certainly a improvement. Will definitely give this a try when I'm feeling brave enough!
In reply to Post #2033
In reply to Post #2033
Thanks Andy, Yes i shoot all my Macros hand held using my Nikkor 105mm f.2.8 vr micro. The Canon 100mm is a brilliant though expensive lens, For cheaper the tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 is great or could always go down the reverse lens route and john can help you out with some good advice
No you don't have to have a ring flash i only used a simple diffuser on a secondhand SB400 unit untill recently went i went mad and bought a very expensive Nikon R1C1 system.
People tend to use and rely on to much flash with macro sometimes. Though you do need extra light in most 1to1 shots i like to up the iso and use as much natural light as possible.
You can even make a fairly good diffuser to take enough light from your built in flash to the subject for usable depth. I made something very similar to this
http://blog.crispian.org/2012/03/home-made-macro-flash-diffusers.html
Never could figure out how to link web pages on here lol. Pictures are easy
Thanks Andy, Yes i shoot all my Macros hand held using my Nikkor 105mm f.2.8 vr micro. The Canon 100mm is a brilliant though expensive lens, For cheaper the tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 is great or could always go down the reverse lens route and john can help you out with some good advice
No you don't have to have a ring flash i only used a simple diffuser on a secondhand SB400 unit untill recently went i went mad and bought a very expensive Nikon R1C1 system.
People tend to use and rely on to much flash with macro sometimes. Though you do need extra light in most 1to1 shots i like to up the iso and use as much natural light as possible.
You can even make a fairly good diffuser to take enough light from your built in flash to the subject for usable depth. I made something very similar to this
http://blog.crispian.org/2012/03/home-made-macro-flash-diffusers.html
Never could figure out how to link web pages on here lol. Pictures are easy
In reply to Post #2041
Thnaks for posting dave
I was looking at the canon ef 100mm usm so much cheaper than the one with is, I haven't found a bad word about it so I reckon I will go for that as I do use the 18-55mm for general use. I'm glad you dont need a ring flash for every shot, but will be something I shall buy in the future hopefully. If you didnt realise I added you on Flickr last night, you have a very impressive portfolio 
Thnaks for posting dave
I was looking at the canon ef 100mm usm so much cheaper than the one with is, I haven't found a bad word about it so I reckon I will go for that as I do use the 18-55mm for general use. I'm glad you dont need a ring flash for every shot, but will be something I shall buy in the future hopefully. If you didnt realise I added you on Flickr last night, you have a very impressive portfolio
In reply to Post #2042
The Canon 100mm USM is a good choice as is the Tamron. My flickr page is a mixture of flower macro's and insects, mainly taken with vintage lenses details are johnt2012 if you fancy a look.
The Canon 100mm USM is a good choice as is the Tamron. My flickr page is a mixture of flower macro's and insects, mainly taken with vintage lenses details are johnt2012 if you fancy a look.
In reply to Post #2044
Thanks Jeffery, I'll add you now
Thanks Jeffery, I'll add you now
In reply to Post #2043
Thanks for the link ev
I used an old Pringles tube for mine, these are ideal as they are foil lined ;-)
Thanks for the link ev
I used an old Pringles tube for mine, these are ideal as they are foil lined ;-)
Any of you like an incident light meter attachment for your iPhone 4/4S?
Luxi
I ordered one of these, promptly forgot about it and upgraded my phone. It is still in the blister pack.
Incident light readings are very useful as they measure the light falling on your subject, not the reflected light which can sometimes cause errors in exposure. This was going to save a bit of space in my camera bag.
£20 posted.
Luxi
I ordered one of these, promptly forgot about it and upgraded my phone. It is still in the blister pack.
Incident light readings are very useful as they measure the light falling on your subject, not the reflected light which can sometimes cause errors in exposure. This was going to save a bit of space in my camera bag.
£20 posted.
In reply to Post #2046
Hi guys, I have been doing some more research seeing as you reccomend the tamron.
I found this lens on jessops, which seems to be the standard uk price at £369
But I have also found the same lens from digitalrev (grey import company) which is priced at £220
Without sounding like a doughnut, can you guys help me confirm that this is the same lens as its a heck of a lot cheaper! Also have any of you used this company before, it's got hundreds of good reviews but it's always nice to hear it from someone you know.
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/products/tamron/90mm-f2-8-sp-di-macro-1-1-canon-af--29447/show.html
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/tamron-sp-af-90mm-f/Mzcz
Sorry not sure how to do links
Thanks for your help over the last few days btw 
Hi guys, I have been doing some more research seeing as you reccomend the tamron.
I found this lens on jessops, which seems to be the standard uk price at £369
But I have also found the same lens from digitalrev (grey import company) which is priced at £220
Without sounding like a doughnut, can you guys help me confirm that this is the same lens as its a heck of a lot cheaper! Also have any of you used this company before, it's got hundreds of good reviews but it's always nice to hear it from someone you know.
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/products/tamron/90mm-f2-8-sp-di-macro-1-1-canon-af--29447/show.html
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/tamron-sp-af-90mm-f/Mzcz
Sorry not sure how to do links
Thanks for your help over the last few days btw
In reply to Post #2048
Looks the same Andy to me, Cross checked the model no and it seems to be same model, good price
Looks the same Andy to me, Cross checked the model no and it seems to be same model, good price
In reply to Post #2048
Hi Andy
I am a fan of Tamron lenses which are a tad underrated. My 75-300 half life size is a good one. On the question of who do you buy a macro lens from that's a difficult one. There are a lot of on-line traders who deal in grey imports and they are usually priced way below the UK price.
There is a risk and I guess it depends if you feel it is one worth taking. That's about all I can say about this as I am undecided.
As to choice of macro for me a shortlist would contain a Canon 100mm, (the bog standard one) I would look long and hard at the Tamron, as I fancy in the lower price bracket it is a good one. In the upper price bracket it would be the Canon MP65. My choice of macro is swayed because I own macro lenses so ease of use would be a consideration, my main macro lens is a manual.
Hi Andy
I am a fan of Tamron lenses which are a tad underrated. My 75-300 half life size is a good one. On the question of who do you buy a macro lens from that's a difficult one. There are a lot of on-line traders who deal in grey imports and they are usually priced way below the UK price.
There is a risk and I guess it depends if you feel it is one worth taking. That's about all I can say about this as I am undecided.
As to choice of macro for me a shortlist would contain a Canon 100mm, (the bog standard one) I would look long and hard at the Tamron, as I fancy in the lower price bracket it is a good one. In the upper price bracket it would be the Canon MP65. My choice of macro is swayed because I own macro lenses so ease of use would be a consideration, my main macro lens is a manual.
Hi lads, ended up buying the tamron 90mm. So far I am very pleased with it and managed to get a few good shots that i feel are worthy on here 
looking at them on here is not quite the same as full screen, but its good enough
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looking at them on here is not quite the same as full screen, but its good enough width=500> width=500> width=500>
In reply to Post #2051
Considering its early days I would be dead chuffed with these results. Looks like you made the right choice and wish you luck with it in the future
Considering its early days I would be dead chuffed with these results. Looks like you made the right choice and wish you luck with it in the future
In reply to Post #2052
Thanks John
Thanks John