Panasonic G9 + Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro

This is a very good lens but this sort of serious macro has more technical capture difficulties than regular captures and requires some patience. S-AF or even MF would be easier I think. If you have used C-AF because of a slight movement in the breeze - then wow-ee you have done very well considering the macro shots are usually noted for their very small dof.

Just checked: "f13" - yes you did well there - I would not feel at all let down by the patience you have used to get such a good image.  It would be very hard indeed to expect to repeat this with every click.

Tom Caldwell wrote:

This is a very good lens but this sort of serious macro has more technical capture difficulties than regular captures and requires some patience. S-AF or even MF would be easier I think. If you have used C-AF because of a slight movement in the breeze - then wow-ee you have done very well considering the macro shots are usually noted for their very small dof.

Just checked: "f13" - yes you did well there - I would not feel at all let down by the patience you have used to get such a good image. It would be very hard indeed to expect to repeat this with every click.

Thanks for your kind, knowledgeable, insightful and encouraging words.

While the bright sun on a clear day was doing me a huge favor, the persistent autumnal breezes brought me a challenge which prompted me to reduce the shutter speed (faster) while hoping that higher-ISO rendition would be acceptable. I needed to switch to AF-C to “track” the swaying movements, as you correctly guessed.

I was lucky in getting a “clean” dark background without distracting bokeh details as the background was shrubs in the shade about 7 feet away. I dialed in EC -2 to keep the dark majority of the frame stay dark (or darker) while protecting the flower’s white petals.

Bassam Guy wrote:

Ranlee wrote:

Nice shot Ashley. Regarding your observation - I don't have the 60mm but I wonder if it would help to give AF Near a try. I use it often with my long lenses when a cluttered background gets the focus rather than nearer wildlife. It works well.

That works for me on the rare occasions AF gets confused. Just set the lens dial on 1:1 and it recovers.

First, though, are you using the 0.19m - 0.4m setting for macro? If not, consider that, as the lens has a far narrower range to hunt.

Ah, now that you have mentioned it, please tell me more about the “1:1” setting on the lens. That setting does not “stick” and I am confused as to what to do with it.

Bassam Guy wrote:

…

It simply focuses the lens to its closest focus, which is 1:1 macro. It is springy because it makes no sense as a locked position. AF should be able to change the focus point, and MF would be useless if it couldn't change the focus point.

I use it as a macro starting point with MF or AF, including for the aforementioned AF reset.

Thanks for the spec info and practical hints. I appreciate you having spent the time.

I did glance at the booklet included in the box when taking out the lens but was not able to relate to the info provided.

Next time, I will go out with the Oly 60mm with better understanding.

alcelc wrote:

Would AFF be more suitable for the sort of application (i.e. prelock focus, AF will adjust to track the tiny movement of the focused object to certain extent automatically) than AFC.

AFC, basically don't allow focus pre lock (i.e., it will find and lock a focus the AF system thinks fit at the moment of capturing). AF-L under AFC, indeed is to lock the focus at a point under AFC, stays there for the capturing. Any movement of the focused lock object will not be tracked.

Not have 60, just some thoughts on the application of various AF only.

Thanks. I appeciate you having spent the time to provide some helpful hints.

I will certainly apply your suggestions next time going out with the Oly 60mm.

Wow that is one nice gift...

Ranlee wrote:

Nice shot Ashley. Regarding your observation - I don't have the 60mm but I wonder if it would help to give AF Near a try. I use it often with my long lenses when a cluttered background gets the focus rather than nearer wildlife. It works well.

Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate your feedback.

I will apply the suggestions received from you and others in my subsequent outings with the 60mm. There is a learning curve ahead.

is what I learned from Nick aka gardenersassistant

strawbale wrote:

is what I learned from Nick aka gardenersassistant

Interesting! I’ll give it a try.

I appreciate you having spent time to comment.

AshleyMC wrote:

strawbale wrote:

is what I learned from Nick aka gardenersassistant

Interesting! I’ll give it a try.

I appreciate you having spent time to comment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnoGTxpL27M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6f4ZVTVJ04

PS: he recently passed away, so you'll have to do with his video's

strawbale wrote:

AshleyMC wrote:

strawbale wrote:

is what I learned from Nick aka gardenersassistant

Interesting! I’ll give it a try.

I appreciate you having spent time to comment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnoGTxpL27M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6f4ZVTVJ04

PS: he recently passed away, so you'll have to do with his video's

Thanks.

I now recall having seen a post regarding his passing. RIP, Nick.