need help with macro shots

[bluegrass]

canon 20D, 100mm macro lens.
I'm wanting to just do handheldtop downs. 2 problems. I need a better DOF with handheld but still stable and I'm getting slow shutter speeds. What other info can I provide that may be of help getting better images? Way too much of my image is out of focus.
thanks,
casey

 

[bluegrass]

 

[surfn]

what settings are you shooting in? full auto?

 

[bluegrass]

AV mode

 

[surfn]

i was just looking at your info on the pictures.....and the reason you have little to no depth of field.......is b/c your aperture is set to an f/stop of 2.8.....which is really big.

you really need to stop down to around f/9 for macro photography (in Av mode) to get better depth of field. but then you'll get a longer shutter speed........and your ISO is already at 800. longer shutter speeds are not a problem with a tripod normally.



although, when i shoot handheld macros, i usually go into Tv mode, or full Manual mode in order to use the light meter and adjust the shutter speed/ISO/aperture accordingly until i have a good light exposure reading. this is a delicate balance in order to make sure your shutter speed is fast enough you do not get camera shake or movement of the corals causing blurriness, a small enough aperture to get enough DOF, and not too much ISO to cause a grainy picture.

 

[BeakerBob]

Try setting your ISO higher. Shoot with aperture priority and set aperture to maybe f/8 or f/11. Canons do well at higher ISO's around 800 & 1600.

 

[bluegrass]

yea, I guess I'm expecting too much with just wanting to do handheld. I hate messing with the tripod. I don't mind pushing the ISP to 800 or 1600 as the grain issues don't bother me. And like you said when I go higher than 2.8 my shutter speeds are cruddy. thanks guys.

 

[JuniorMC8704]

99% of my topdowns are shot at ISO 800, and F11, set at A priority. Seems to be a good balance.

 

[aquaman3680]

Junior- do you use a tripod?

 

[JuniorMC8704]

never on top downs, but i always use a topdown box.

 

[aquaman3680]

how do you get a clear shot with F11?

 

[JuniorMC8704]

well with ISO at 800 and F11, its usually around 1/40" shutter speed. The tanks i shoot in have a large eurobrace around the edge, and i can usually rest the top down box on there. If not, take a deep breath, and shoot as you slowly exhale.