Close up photography
 

Well it goes something like this..

I was looking around the garden today and spotted some bees buzzing around some flowers.

As I tried to pull the canon out to take some pics, I couldnt seem to get close enough due to a lack of focus. I tried every lens, just out of interest, namely 10-22mm, 17 - 55mm and 70-300mm (which has macro of 1.5m). The camera is a 400D.

What is the best lens and setting to use for the purpose (assuming you want to get as close as say 20cm away from the bee/flower)?

Luca.

get an extention tube for your 70-300mm then you will have a closer focus. Your should be able to get prety close with a 300mm anyways shouldnt ya? stand 1.5metre away at 300mm should be able to get prety good shots.

this was taken with 24-105mm which has macro at 105mm on a 350d has been cropped.

[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5893/948211289b1e7955e7coiq0.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=521&i=948211289b1e7955e7coiq0.jpg][IMG]http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5893/948211289b1e7955e7coiq0.1a2324f381.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

extension tube with a 10 - 22 should get you a focal distance of... 5mm maybe

but that's not good for shooting something alive.

better off standing a mile away with a big telescope lens so it doesn't notice you and run away.

Yep, extension tubes are the way to go if you want that real close up magnification kind of shot. I hear that kenko make some good tubes for Canon/Nikon.

For best results you want a 85mm or longer prime with a nice and large aperture (f/1.8 or less) and an extension tube for that close-up, shallow DOF effect that most macro photographers desire.

With what you have the telephoto zoom is about the best you will be able to do, as the others said.

[img]http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7909/img0036hk0.jpg[/img]

close up test of my new ixus 75 lol

Macro is great fun...it's what I try to play around with when taking photos for fun :)

You actually need to be careful with macro stuff in regards to your aperture and shutter speed - you have an even shallower depth of focus when you are in that close. For example, with my macro lens (Canon 100mm f2.8) a bee has to be pretty much side on to get the whole body in focus on f2.8/f4. Also, because you are so much closer, camera shake shows up more, so you normally have to shoot on a higher shutter speed than you normally use, unless you get the tripod out.

I think the shot below was done on f 4 - you have to be spot on for what you are focussing for at that shallow a range.

[IMG]http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/3510/crw4325np7.jpg[/IMG]

i just ordered some extention tubes so i can focus closer cant wait to try them

[QUOTE=NVRENUF]i just ordered some extention tubes so i can focus closer cant wait to try them[/QUOTE]

Where from?? Disco Stu?

Na i ordered some manual focus ones cheap ones to try them first from ebay.

And with macro u generally dont use auto focus anyway hey ?

yeah im in a point where i need to decide whether to get an extension tube for my 17-85 IS or get my 70-200 f2.8 IS (which is about 2 grand) what you guys reckon?