s3 and rynox 250, how to?

[dorin]

hi guys,

so, today i finally got the rynox 250. but i'm not sure if i use it properly: i put it to macro and zoom to maximum allowed, but still i dont seem to get the kind of pics i've seen on this site, or are they cropped?

if i put it to supermacro, then to tubing effect its far to strong.

so, any tips?

thanks,

dorin

ps: speaking of lenses, is it really necessarry to set the camera in adapter at tc for example when tc is used? i tried both ways and i've seen no difference in terms of speed/quality

[jonalta]

I am just a photo enthusiast and I cannot give a pro advice. Just a simple tip.

I never set my S3 to macro (or super macro) when using the DCR-250. Just clip it on your adapter then use normal shooting settings. You would need to zoom in to avoid vignetting. I usually use max zoom or max results but some shots require less zoom to increase DOF a bit. I also recommend you to use AV and choose higher F value like 7.1 or 8 (provided you have ample lighting).
However, you must know that using the DCR-250 needs a LOT of patience because of paper-thin DOF. So, just go on and have fun shooting. You'll love it more once you get the hang of it. Good luck!

I think it is also good if you can post some of your shots, other people here can give some useful suggestions.

I posted some of my macro shots way back in this thread. There are a lot of talented guys here who also own the DCR-250. I am sure they will also be happy give advice. If you browse other threads here, you will find good discussions on the use DCR-250.

If you use other lenses like TC or WC, it is better to adjust your settings accordingly to maximize the benefits of the stabilizer and auto focus. Although, I personally also forget to change this setting sometimes, and I still get the shots I want. So, there's really no worry about this. Though, I am sure it is much better to get the settings right if possible.

[XaiLo]

Jonalta where you been hiding:confused: lol Glad to see you around pm me.

[dorin]

jonalta, your tip was mor than usefull! i cannot believe i used the rynox 250 for a week at only half of its capabilities!

so here are some samples, the flower ones are done using the macro option in is (this is how i thouhgt it should be done) and the rest are fuly zoomed on my swatch watch.
if anyone wants to see the originals go to www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro

the rynox 250 is an amazing lens, but i cannot imagine using it at full zoom without a tripod. any tricks how to do that? cause as jonalta said the focus line is paper thick

http://www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro/IMG_0040_resize.JPG

http://www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro/IMG_0078_resize.JPG

http://www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro/IMG_0109_resize.JPG

http://www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro/IMG_0113_resize.JPG

http://www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro/IMG_0130_resize.JPG

[jonalta]

Those are superb shots dorin!
I especially like the dandelion shot. nice, clear, sharp and good focus and bokeh. You used f/4 aperture with it. I think you can increase DOF a bit (should you need to) if you set it to a higher number like f/7.1 or f/8.
You said you used macro mode, hmmmmm... i may try that also :) . Thanks for the tip. Havent used my DCR-250 for quite a while.
nice macro set of the watch. But since you shot them handheld, you are prone to camera shake (or were the gears moving?). You used 1/25sec and it is quite difficult to stay still. But the last shot was taken using 1/13sec. i think you were very still to have taken that handheld. If you dont want to use the tripod, maybe you can set to 1/125 or faster in Tv. Of course, this depends on light availability.
Another trick is to use Focus Bracketing to take 3 shots. Chances are you'd have a good shot with the focus you want.

It is also more difficult to get focus of a relatively flat object at an angle. But as shown in the last pict, you get much better focus having the object parallel with the lens. Well, it depends on what effect you want to achieve.

Oh, maybe just 1 more personal tip. You might also want to try using SPOT metering. I sometimes find it better than using the standard Pattern metering coz I get good exposure of the "little" subjects other than the blurred background especially in high contrast composition.

Thanks for posting dorin. You inspired me to warm up my S3 again... well, hopefully I'd have time to shoot soon.

[dorin]

jonalta, the watch's pictures are made on a tripod, now i remembered that i should deactivate the IS. dont know exactly what influence it has but for example once using a 70-200 L 2.8 IS with is on was impossible to get clear moon shot, but with is off, voilla!
shooting the watch was pretty complicated due to the watch's glass in between i think, and i hated how clear was the image on the screen and how blurry was the result.
its funny how everybody's priority when they get an S3/2/5 is to buy in order TC then WA and finally a macro lens. honestly, it was the cheapest out of all 3, but i love it the most.
s3 is an amazing school camera. i had the money for 30d with 24-105 and 100-400 but i rented it for a weekend before buying it, and i ended up shooting only in Auto mode...so, i needed a school...!
in december i'll give myself as present an slr..30d or mark III (live lcd), but only if i think i;ll know how to use it in M mode.
and as for the time...i wish i'd had more as well, that's why i lok so much forward for the honeymoon in kenya and tanzania, guess my wife will feel abandoned, but well she's used to me taking tones of pics. www.bocanila.ro

cheers, and all the next nice macro pics i will post them here.

all the best,
dorin

[XaiLo]

Good pics dorin.

[jonalta]

shooting the watch was pretty complicated due to the watch's glass in between i think, and i hated how clear was the image on the screen and how blurry was the result.
I actually thought you disassembled the watch for the photo shoot :D . Yep, I guess the watch's glass was the culprit for the slight blur. The LCD on the S3 has few pixels so sometimes it appears sharp and clear but the actual is not. I got a lot of mistakes this way also:( .
I completely agree with you having chosen the S3 first before going into the more serious SLR (even if you have the cash). The S3 is a lot of fun and I love it. Plus the very useful comments and inputs from friendly people in this forum. Learning photography with the S3 is so enjoyable without the weight and the complexity of a dSLR.
I know you will have a lot more fun with your S3. And I'm sure your wife wont be much jealous with it, compared to as when you have a $5,000 dSLR package :D
I would love to see more great shots from you... Good luck!

[leyo04]

nice shots! i like the watch series... very sharp

[dorin]

guys, thanks alot for your feedback!

i will continue to post the nice pictures i will make.

and jonalta, speaking about the weight of a dslr: do you have any idea how you neck feels after few hours of carrying the 30d with 70-200 L 2.8 ?!?
that's the thing i love about S3: the whole package is so darn light!

[jonalta]

dorin: and jonalta, speaking about the weight of a dslr: do you have any idea how you neck feels after few hours of carrying the 30d with 70-200 L 2.8 ?!?
that's the thing i love about S3: the whole package is so darn light!
Hmmm.. exactly! :D
I think besides practicing some photography skills using the S3, I guess I also need to work out my neck for my future dSLR. :rolleyes:

[dorin]

if you plan to have a battery grip as well, i strongly recommend you a 1 year gim membership! :D
a friend of mine has a 30d with 70-200 2.8 is 100-400 L and 24-105 L and trust me when you pick up the backpack with all those things in (plus grip, charger, tripod) i can honeslty say my climbing gear is lighter!

now when i think of, i really apreciate the climbing photograpfers...i should go mo to gim and buy some extra cams!

[dorin]

so, here are some other macros, made after i learned how to use the rynox 250 (best investment made on S3 ever!) nothing croped, just resized. wehn croped its spooky the details which this lens captures..

http://www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro/IMG_0412.JPG

http://www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro/IMG_0521.JPG

http://www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro/IMG_0535.JPG

http://www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro/IMG_0736.jpg


hope you like them

[jonalta]

like them? i love them dorin. great work.
Great control of the DCR-250.

[lcx]

Great pics.
How far was the camera for the insect pic?

[alvinls]

Hi Guys,

I am a new owner of a S3IS, and looking forward to learning macro photography and maximizing the potentials of my S3IS.

@dorin: nice macro shots you got there., are those with natural light only?



Thanks...

[dorin]

jonalta i'm very glad you like them! all thanks to you! remember i used it in a very wierd way in the beginning?
lcx, standard distance when using rynox 250 = ~10cm

alvinls,natural light, no tripod used. it's abit tricky in the beginning till you get used with
1.where the focus range is
2. that the focus line is very thin
3. as zoomed in you are as thin the focus line is

everything its easy! i know it sounds complicated but spend 1hr on the field and it'll come natural!! and have patience!!

jonalta you mentioned to use focus braketing, but how?! everytime i try to set it (to different variables) the braketing icon its grayed out...i tried it in P,AV,and M modes...same thing. how you do it?

to check more macros check mywebsite www.bocanila.ro (switzerland/may07)


i'll keep posting here the future nice macros i will be making

cheers guys,

dorin

[jonalta]

jonalta you mentioned to use focus braketing, but how?! everytime i try to set it (to different variables) the braketing icon its grayed out...i tried it in P,AV,and M modes...same thing. how you do it?


Using Focus Bracketing is very tricky. I also thought my S3 was broken the first time I attempted to use this feature.
Anyway, Focus Bracketing works with P, Av, Tv and M modes. However, there is only one catch... it ONLY works when using MANUAL FOCUS.:D
Hmmm.. maybe this could also be included in the S2/S3 Tips List.

would love to see more of your shots dorin.

[dorin]

jonalta, as promised, here i'll put my macros, worh to be seen! wider collection go straight at www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro ( and at www.bocanila.ro is my site with pics everywhere i travelled, except india and pakistan...damn you toshiba!!!!)
been away for a while from the forum, though i checked everyday this forum(homepage for awhile now), not too much time for fotographing when the master exam its just 19 days apart.

so, kida of selfportrait, the most challenging pictures to take till now

http://www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro/IMG_1482.jpg

http://www.bocanila.ro/s3/macro/IMG_1440.jpg

any ideas how to get rid of the reflexions in the eye? and please dont say studio light...