Macro and close up photography
These days even basic point and shoot cameras have some means of close up photography. Often this is not used or gives poor results due to a lack of understanding or skill. Close up photography is not that difficult but it must be understood that some thought and effort is required. Read the manual to find out how to use the macro mode and its limitations. you cannot take macro photographs with the same casual attitude as you normally take photographs!
First to define our terms, strictly, macro photography means a reproduction ratio of 1:1 :that is the same size on film or sensor as in real life. So a 1cm insect is 1cm on film. Of course it may be enlarged to 10X this size or more. Close up is more loosely defined as 1:1 down to approximately 1:10 that is 1/10 life size. Since most photographs are enlarged then manufacturers often mark lenses down to 1:3 as macro.
Equipment.
Many compact film and digital cameras have remarkable close
up ability. some focus down to 1cm giving excellent results with built in flash.
The SLR (single lens reflex) is the obvious choice for close up photography
given the demands of accurate focusing and composition.
True macro lenses for SLRs
are very good but given there price they should be! (£300-£800). A good range
of less expensive lenses with "macro" functions
are available are the main independent range
with most lenses able to go close up or 1:2. Results are as good or near there
more expensive own brand lenses. However a lens is always a compromise and
the wider the range of facilities (macro, wide angle zoom) the more of a compromise
it is. More expensive lenses are often better with wider apertures. Just how
much do you need to pay? Try to buy shorter range zooms and if you really want
a macro then buy a true macro. Fortunately if you do not require occasion close
up facilities then cheaper options are available. Apart from the various compacts
and lens options which I will talk more about later here are a few things to
try.
For SLRs Close up lenses fit like filters but allow
your lens to focus closer. The lens screws into the filter thread of the main
lens allowing a closer focusing distance. The power is measured in Diopters.
This is the value divided into 1 meter 100cm/4 gives a focus
of 25cm. Values may be 1-6
and can be combined to give greater values- 2+4=6. 2 and
4 Diopters. are probably
the most useful value. Buy for your biggest filter thread then buy adapter
rings to fit the smaller sizes. Cost -£10-£16 per ring or in sets of three.
Reversal rings fit your lens on
backwards! A strange idea but with the right lens the results can be excellent.
The lens needs to be a wide angle. The filter thread fits the lens to the camera
mount. For example 55mm to a Nikon mount. Cost £3-£5.
Two lenses can be joined together with a coupling ring (filter
thread to filter thread) to form a macro lens. A 50mm can be reversed onto
a 200mm lens or zoom. The zoom end is then attached to the body. This gives
a high magnification lens. You can try this out by used masking tape and elastic
bands!
Extension rings and Bellows. These fit in between
the camera body and a lens on a SLR giving varying degrees of magnification.
They did once form the cheap way of getting high quality results. Today cameras
(SLRs) have so many electrical links between lens and body that rings and bellows
have become very expensive. They are still very useful the high magnification
end. The degree of magnification is determined by the extension. A 50mm lens
requires 50mm extension to give 1:1.
Depth of field and sharpness. Depth
of field become very limited with higher magnification. Approaching life size(
1:1) it is almost none existent. So the aperture needs to be small and focusing
very precise. A good tripod and plenty of light are required. Also the
lens itself will have an optimum aperture. Best sharpness is around f8
to f11. this
is less than is required for optimum depth of field. Resolution falls off greatly
after f16. Do some tests to see what the best combinations are. Again it is
about compromise (see also apeture and depth of field).
A sturdy tripod with good adjustments
for low level work is one of the best investments for macro work. Tripods by
Gitzo and Manfrotto provide
a good assortment of sizes and prices. Benbo also make several tripods particularly
suited to this kind of work given their unique design. Tripods offer one of
the easiest ways to improve your photography allowing sharp well composed photographs.
For macro photography they are pretty well essential. A cheap tripod is a waste
of money. But then so is one you leave at home gathering dust!
