Post your best Macro shots

**conropl** · 08-04-2012, 04:09 AM

Finally got a chance to go out shooting... so I got a little carried away here.

Wild Flowers-6698 by westmichigan, on Flickr

Catetpillar-6719 by westmichigan, on Flickr

Bug-2 by westmichigan, on Flickr

Macro-6745 by westmichigan, on Flickr

**ddt0725** · 08-04-2012, 08:12 PM

Wonderful shots, Pat! Everything from the sharpness and detail to the exposure ...really well done!

Well, I just received the Sigma 150mm OS macro yesterday and have been trying to decide whether I should keep it and sell my brand new Sigma 105mm OS macro. Both have there advantages and disadvantages. I have been extremely pleased with the 105mm but the added reach is also nice to have. I don't think the 150mm focuses as fast and accurate as the 105mm though. More testing to do but I need to make a decision today!

Sigma AF 150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM APO Macro OS by Denise Trocio ( www.dtrociophotography.com), on Flickr

**Jayson** · 08-04-2012, 10:42 PM

Denise, the photos look great. Have you tried the 150mm with an extender yet. I have read that using it with a 1.4x TC is a killer combo.

**conropl** · 08-05-2012, 02:17 AM

This thread is full of a bunch of great shots. The sharpness of everyones shots is amazing. I need to try focus stacking some day... Jayson, your stuff is really cool.

Denise - The 150mm looks great. The shots were right on, and the color looks good (I really like the first one). You mention that the focus is a little slow. Do you typically use auto-focus? I find myself manually focusing most of the time for macro work. I am not saying my stuff is great, but manually focusing seems to give me sharper shots than auto-focus. If you find yourself manually focusing a lot, then maybe the slow focus is not an issue. Personally, I would like extra focal length, but it would make hand holding much more difficult (which I do not do to often). I am sure your shots will be outstanding no mater which way you go.

**ddt0725** · 08-05-2012, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by Jayson

Denise, the photos look great. Have you tried the 150mm with an extender yet. I have read that using it with a 1.4x TC is a killer combo.

Thanks! I am going to try it out with an extender tomorrow. It's been so darn hot that I have only been going out for very short spurts to shoot in the backyard. Tomorrow is suppose to be much more pleasant!

**ddt0725** · 08-05-2012, 05:39 AM

Originally Posted by conropl

This thread is full of a bunch of great shots. The sharpness of everyones shots is amazing. I need to try focus stacking some day... Jayson, your stuff is really cool.

Denise - The 150mm looks great. The shots were right on, and the color looks good (I really like the first one). You mention that the focus is a little slow. Do you typically use auto-focus? I find myself manually focusing most of the time for macro work. I am not saying my stuff is great, but manually focusing seems to give me sharper shots than auto-focus. If you find yourself manually focusing a lot, then maybe the slow focus is not an issue. Personally, I would like extra focal length, but it would make hand holding much more difficult (which I do not do to often). I am sure your shots will be outstanding no mater which way you go.

Thank you, Pat! I tend to do macro shots all wrong ...handheld and auto-focusing. I need to change my ways! I did use a monopod for a short while today. It's just too much of a pain with a tripod chasing bees and butterflies. I need one of those monopod/tripod things, I think those would be easier to quickly move around with.

**conropl** · 08-05-2012, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by ddt0725

Thank you, Pat! I tend to do macro shots all wrong ...handheld and auto-focusing. I need to change my ways!...

Why change what works. Your shots always look good. But with the 150mm it may get more difficult and may force a "tripod/monopod things" in order to get the keeper rate up. However, based on the shots you have shown so far, I would say you got the hand held down good.