Lady Beatle

I've been trying different macros in my little light box set up and cannot seem to get any sharper than this. This is about a 100% crop. Are there techniques I am missing or am I lens limited at this point? Any critique welcome.

Sony A350
Minolta 35-70mm f/4
Min focus= 12" (macro switch - manual focus only)
Tripod (cheap) using the timed shutter release to minimize shake
ISO 100, f/5.6 & 1/10 sec.

TF

EDIT: Sorry about the spelling of beetle. Generational problem, I think. :-)

I agree – the beetle does look a little out-of-focus. The lens seems to have focused on the flowers beneath it.:( (Depth-of-field is very limited with macros).

~Also, there's something semi-transparent covering one side of the beetle’s face. I find this a bit distracting.

(With macro work, you always have to be aware of everything in the frame, to make sure nothing detracts from your subject).

~The background is green – an appropiate color. But, it looks slightly grainy and with some dark green blobs, especially near the top left corner.
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This would have been a much more pleasing shot if the beetle were filling-the-frame and looking up directly at the camera. But, success depends heavily on practicing – if you keep on shooting and trying new techinques then you will slowly start to improve.:)
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I can give you some nature close-up tips if you want.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by A.M.D.A.

I agree – the beetle does look a little out-of-focus. The lens seems to have focused on the flowers beneath it.:( (Depth-of-field is very limited with macros).

~Also, there's something semi-transparent covering one side of the beetle’s face. I find this a bit distracting.

(With macro work, you always have to be aware of everything in the frame, to make sure nothing detracts from your subject).

~The background is green – an appropiate color. But, it looks slightly grainy and with some dark green blobs, especially near the top left corner.
------------------
This would have been a much more pleasing shot if the beetle were filling-the-frame and looking up directly at the camera. But, success depends heavily on practicing – if you keep on shooting and trying new techinques then you will slowly start to improve.:)
------------------
I can give you some nature close-up tips if you want.

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I used aperture priority and did this one at every stop from f/4 to f/22. The f/5.6 (shown) is noticeably better than the f/4. I attributed this to a slightly missed focus which the depth of field of the higher f-stop took care of??? Could be that the lens is sharper away from the extreme??? From f/5.6 on up I cannot see a difference in the beetle at a 100% crop.

Also, this isn't a true macro lens with a maximum magnification of 1:4.

I think the green blobs are over PS Element-processing.

I will always welcome tips.

TF

Quote:

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Originally Posted by A.M.D.A.

~Also, there's something semi-transparent covering one side of the beetle’s face. I find this a bit distracting.

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If I'm right in what you are referring to, that white spot is on all of these beetles or ladybugs (both sides), I've 2 in my user gallery with the same mark on the head, though more pronounced black spots. Nice capture in any case. S