problem with lens on Canon T3i - total newbie needs advice

f59918 wrote:

thank you so much for the tips! I have never ever used a DSLR before this and so when i saw the part of the image with blurred focus near the center and yet sharp at the edges I thought it must be due to lens smudging.

As the others have mentioned, there's a lot to learn initially.  Just keep coming back to the forum with any questions. 

I did just get the Zeiss wipes in the mail today. The lens looks clean now except for lint/dust.

Sweet.  Modern lenses have a very hard coating on the front.  If you treat them right you'll never have a problem.  In fact, I never even use any of the "protective filters."  Nary a scratch in many decades of shooting.  Here's my method of cleaning BTW...

Click for lens cleaning procedure

I still have to get that blower gadget and I have yet to look for a little brush (pen brush?).

I like the Rocket Blower, and the Lens Pen (only use the brush end tho).

Honestly I just used to use Windex on my SLR if the lens ever got a smudge so I didn't know the better cameras needed a lot of babying haha.

Don't use anything ammonia-based like Windex.  Find a cleaner that is lens-specific.  If you want a multi-purpose cleaner, then Glass Plus can do double duty on coated lenses as well as coated glass (ie. Museum Glass).  Never spray any liquid on a lens directly though!

I love macro photography and always wanted to try it.

Oh yes, macro is extremely addictive.  I got hooked decades ago and it's still my favorite type of photography!  It's specialized work and takes a fair bit of technique, so don't get discouraged.  Like I said, stop back here if you have any questions.

I will check out that Raynox lens you mentioned. Does it attach onto the camera on top of the lens I already have on there

Clips right onto the front.  Easy on, easy off.  It will get you very close if you use it on your 55-250 (keep the zoom at a fairly wide angle initially).

Set the focus to manual, then move the whole camera/lens forwards and backwards until what you want is in focus.  There will only be a very small distance (from the lens to the subject) that the image will be in focus.  Keep moving toward and away to focus.  You'll quickly get the hang of it.

Also, the lens that came with the camera does say "macro" right on the side. That is confusing for novice photographers for the lens to say macro on it when it isn't really a macro lens then.

Yeah, I think that was a bit of excess Marketing that Canon employed there.  As was explained, that really indicates MFD (Minimum Focusing Distance).  And that's measured from the Sensor to the Subject (check for the little sensor plane indicator on the camera).

The more important spec for us macro shooters is what's called Working Distance (measured from the front of the lens to the subject).  You'll notice that the working distance with the Close Up Lens attached is pretty short.  You'll get used to it though.

I'd also recommend using flash at least initially.  Helps to combat both camera shake and subject motion blur.  Diffuse the flash for best effect.

I also like to set the camera to full Manual Mode.  When using flash set the shutter speed to 1/200 second, and the aperture to f/8 or f/11 (at least for starters).

If I ever go to try and buy a macro lens second-hand how will I tell if it is really a macro lens?

Lots of good info on many lenses found here...

Lens Reviews

Well, good luck to you.  Shoot everything you can!

R2