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Tricky macro photography: what went possibly wrong?

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aryalg

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I am relatively new to macro photography, that too with a full frame camera. I recently bought a7rii with 50 mm f2.8 macro for a quite good deal. Since then I have been giving it a spin in my free time. I enjoy shooting nature and landscapes and macro has always been in my wishlist.

The photographs I am making makes me wonder what wrong I am possibly doing. I am struggling to take photos as sharp as I wish. It is a challenge to focus, holding the camera still and getting sharp photos seems a lot difficult. I am starting to wonder if IBIS is overrated for macro and in general as even 1/40 second shots on 50 mm lens comes out blurry. I have a bit shaky hands but the blur I used to get with non-stablised lens and camera combo of a6000 and Samyang 21mm f1.4 and the new full frame combo does not show much of a difference. Of course, they are totally different lenses/camera combinations and it's highly likely I am doing something I should not be doing.

I have attached photos below for your scrutiny. These are RAW converted to JPEG with default LR settings and no additional PP. They are not great in composition but what could have gone wrong and how I can make them better? Please be gentle in your response as I want to learn.



This was shot indoors on a tripod. The light was pretty low. Focused on the stem. But there is some blur. IBIS was off. My best guess is some micro winds as shorter exposure times gave sharper pictures. What else could it be?
This was shot indoors on a tripod. The light was pretty low. Focused on the stem. But there is some blur. IBIS was off. My best guess is some micro winds as shorter exposure times gave sharper pictures. What else could it be?



I like the composition but the shot is quite blurry. The light was low as the time was overcast evening. There was some wind. Even though I tried my best I couldn't get it sharp. Camera movement or subject movement? Minimum focus working distance was challenging too as I was triggering some movements myself as this guy was in a tricky position.
I like the composition but the shot is quite blurry. The light was low as the time was overcast evening. There was some wind. Even though I tried my best I couldn't get it sharp. Camera movement or subject movement? Minimum focus working distance was challenging too as I was triggering some movements myself as this guy was in a tricky position.



This was daytime and bright. the shot is pretty sharp for me. I will be happy with this level of details. DoF is a challenge and composition could have been better. I wish other small subjects were at least as sharp as this insect.
This was daytime and bright. the shot is pretty sharp for me. I will be happy with this level of details. DoF is a challenge and composition could have been better. I wish other small subjects were at least as sharp as this insect.



Less sharp than I wish for. DOF issue or focusing perfection required? It was challenging to focus on where I wanted to.
Less sharp than I wish for. DOF issue or focusing perfection required? It was challenging to focus on where I wanted to.



I wish I had a longer lens and wish that handsome guy tolerated me coming closer. Quite pleased with details on focus area which is on lizard's head. I wish more shots were at least this detailed.
I wish I had a longer lens and wish that handsome guy tolerated me coming closer. Quite pleased with details on focus area which is on lizard's head. I wish more shots were at least this detailed.

I am a hobbyist and photography is purely for pleasure and joy. I don't make any money with these photographs. Still, I wish I could get better photos both technically and aesthetically. Your insights could be helpful to learn.

--
Regards,
Gaurav
My photos at: https://500px.com/aryalgaurav
www.instagram.com/ggauravaryal
 
When you use flash thesurrounding/backgroup will appear darker.
 
If you find macro challenging, thats simply because it IS difficult ... A lot of good advise in the thread. Here is my compact crash course: Exposure; upp your iso, led light or a decent macro flash. Keep steady; use a tripod or monopod, invest in a macro slide, find something to give you support. Lean towards something, use a stick on cross so you can lean on that. I often use a long stick or monopod with one end on the ground and one end on my left knee, I lean to that, and I can adjust the level by using my kne ... Be creatice. Focus: forget AF, macro is all about manual focus. Need depth of field? Oh man, you are in trouble. Macro goes from nothing to too litle DOF ... If you need large dof, try focus stacking. Choosing aperture: small aperture is tempting to get higher dof, however, at 1:1 distance f8 is closer to f16, so diffraction kicks inn early. How to fix? Yep, stacking ... Difficult? Bring the insect, flower or whatever inside to your table top. Some insect can be slowed down by chilling them down. Let them free after the shoot. Early morning is also nice for insects, then they are slow and waiting for ghe heat of the sun. Practice, practice, practice, and then; practice some more ... 😊👍

304c927c9cb54747a606e3ba3e209bed.jpg

3215a630e4564753be6680093e6fbc2a.jpg

--
Andre JF
AndreJaingam.smugmug.com
 
Last edited:
tqlla said:
It may sound weird but I manual focus with focus peaking, then move forward or backward to make sure it stays in focus. (usually when I take pictures of engagement rings)
Click to expand...
Yup...that works well for me too. The peaking gets you in touch with your movements so you can kind of predict when the focus plane will cross where you want it to.
 
lim yau tong said:
When you use flash thesurrounding/backgroup will appear darker.
Click to expand...
It could add pleasing effects in some situation but may not work for all. Will definitely be helpful to isolate/highlight subject. Seems like i need to splurge on a flash next.
 
Andre JF said:
If you find macro challenging, thats simply because it IS difficult ... A lot of good advise in the thread. Here is my compact crash course: Exposure; upp your iso, led light or a decent macro flash. Keep steady; use a tripod or monopod, invest in a macro slide, find something to give you support. Lean towards something, use a stick on cross so you can lean on that. I often use a long stick or monopod with one end on the ground and one end on my left knee, I lean to that, and I can adjust the level by using my kne ... Be creatice. Focus: forget AF, macro is all about manual focus. Need depth of field? Oh man, you are in trouble. Macro goes from nothing to too litle DOF ... If you need large dof, try focus stacking. Choosing aperture: small aperture is tempting to get higher dof, however, at 1:1 distance f8 is closer to f16, so diffraction kicks inn early. How to fix? Yep, stacking ... Difficult? Bring the insect, flower or whatever inside to your table top. Some insect can be slowed down by chilling them down. Let them free after the shoot. Early morning is also nice for insects, then they are slow and waiting for ghe heat of the sun. Practice, practice, practice, and then; practice some more ... 😊👍

304c927c9cb54747a606e3ba3e209bed.jpg

3215a630e4564753be6680093e6fbc2a.jpg

--
Andre JF
AndreJaingam.smugmug.com
Click to expand...
Fantastic tips Andre. Your shots are amazing. I wish to shoot like these one day.

--
Regards,
Gaurav
My photos at: https://500px.com/aryalgaurav
www.instagram.com/ggauravaryal
 
Easy answer from reading your post. I will say I have not read any other comments.

You need to use a tripod or monopod when doing this. IBIS is not the solution for critical work. It helps but not perfect.

Unless you hold your breath and take the shot but that is not so reasonable.

**

Generally speaking 99% of everyone on this entire site make a big deal over the camera and lens but ignore the supports needed for max results.

Invest in a monopod and I would even recommend specifically the Self Standing versions first you can't walk away from it even though it has legs or I would not do that.

Then you will be golden and you will have no movement or breath introduced into the shot.

Heck, when I do a portrait or headshot that is a fixed spot I always use a tripod for the sharpest image.

When I go to the zoo to photograph the animals I always take a monopod

If a monopod or tripod were not a thing the manufacture would not put that hole on the bottom of even the smallest point and shoot.
 
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