So I've been using my A80 to take macros lately, some turning out great and others very very bad. Here's one of the batter macros I took. But I find that a lot of the time the camera auto focus will go from unfocused to focused to finally unfocused, resulting in a blurry image. I shoot with macro mode usually in auto mode. I try and not use the zoom cause it has more trouble focusing when I do. What settings, modes, methods do others find useful when shooting macro images with the A80?
Taking macro pics with the Canon A80...
- Thread starter GonzoCircus
- Start date
i've had similar problems with my powershot 400. i find that enabling the flash makes it focus nearly every single time, but the photo doesn't come out well. it's probably to do with the way the camera auto settings work to compensate for the flash (i.e. it'd change aperture/ exposure/ ISO etc).
still haven't found a 100% working solution, although what sometimes helps is goign into manual and fiddling with ISO and exposure settings. tripods help too.
still haven't found a 100% working solution, although what sometimes helps is goign into manual and fiddling with ISO and exposure settings. tripods help too.
I would suggest putting the camera in manual focus mode, focusing as close as you can, and then moving the camera back and forth until you get the picture you want in focus. This is what I do on my SLR, but the low-res screens and EVFs of point&shoot digicams might not work as well for this technique; however, the extremely wide DOF even at close distances and wide apertures should cover your ... somewhat with minor focusing problems. Oh, and MHO is that flash should not be used with macro unless it can be put on a bracket and aimed at the subject from above.
If you just want a small P&S digital camera, then it's quite a fine choice. If you want to do real macros, then you need to be in the market for an SLR, because very few P&S cameras can even come close to the quality of closeup that one can get with an SLR (digital or film).
Nice pic.
Don't completely blow off the consumer digital cameras for macros, they aren't that bad..
Pic from my lowly 2MP A60
I imagine the A80 would be just that much better..
Hmm.. Pic3 is the only one I'd consider to be a macro..
lolWhat is the S230's minimum focus distance?
You can't get closer than two inches. That's the limits of the lens. If you stay over two inches from the subject, you'll have the shot. Don't fully depress the shutter until it shows focus is locked.
Thanks. I'm sure you've seen Lirion's stuff... his is a lot better, but then he has much more experience and better equipment (though I personally would / will go the Nikon route for my next camera).Originally posted by: Eli
Nice pic.
I'm not downplaying the ability of some P&Ses to take decent closeups, just none can do the true textbook definition of macro, which is what some people seem to want, and what I posted a sample of. Heck, most "macro" zooms for SLRs can't do true macro.
The other thing I have against P&S digicams is the interaction of the extremely tiny sensor (also why they are so noisey at high ISOs, but that's a discussion for another day) and extremely short focal length needed to get an equivalent perspective to a 35mm camera causes the Depth of Field to be very wide, even up close. This results in a lot of background "garbage" showing more clearly in the shot than it would with a 35mm or reduced frame DSLR. In the end, I don't know what's up with us 35mm macro freaks... we curse the shallow DOF of our systems when trying to photograph that deep flower, and the next day curse the deep DOF of P&S digitals.
N.B. that you can always simulate that blurred background look in Photoshop if it's important to you. I've done it before to "rescue" a shot from my P&S digicam that was fine other than the distracting background.
It might be somewhat better, but P&S digicams vary so much in closeup capability that I wouldn't want to hazard a guess. A website like DPReview would probably be a good resource for those wanting more info.
Actually, they're all closeups. Good closeups, to be sure, but not macros.Originally posted by: Eli
Hmm.. Pic3 is the only one I'd consider to be a macro..
A "macro" is taking a subject and making it appear the same size on the sensor that it is in real life (e.g. if it is 0.5in tall, then it will be 0.5in tall when projected on the sensor or film by the lens). Depending on who you talk to, "macro" can also include blowing things up to be larger on the sensor than in real life, sometimes up to 20X or so. Above that is considered photomicrography, is done with a microscope, and requires very expensive equipment and much more dedication to get good results.
John Shaw, in his book Closeups in Nature, has many photos taken with lenses that didn't have extension, bellows, or closeup filters (of course he had his fair share of those in the book also, but that's beside the point for now). What that shows is that you don't have to have a true macro system to get good closeups. Just take the 99% of pictures that you see with good composition, etc., within the limits of what you have, and don't worry about that 1% of through-the-water-drop or full frame snowflake shots that you will miss due to not having the right (expensive) stuff for the job.
Ever helpful, as usual. :roll:
No, seriously. I don't even have a clue either and I have the A80. How do I do this? Which mode do I switch to? I need to try this.
DPReview hasn't covered the A80 yet, but if it's similar to the A70 (except for the flip-out screen, of course), then you might find some useful information on this page. Even if the controls don't match up directly, you could still probably get started in the right direction from that info. Or, *gasp* you could try digging out the manual.Originally posted by: cashman
No, seriously. I don't even have a clue either and I have the A80. How do I do this? Which mode do I switch to? I need to try this.
It's the same.Originally posted by: jliechty
DPReview hasn't covered the A80 yet, but if it's similar to the A70 (except for the flip-out screen, of course), then you might find some useful information on this page. Even if the controls don't match up directly, you could still probably get started in the right direction from that info. Or, *gasp* you could try digging out the manual.Originally posted by: cashman
No, seriously. I don't even have a clue either and I have the A80. How do I do this? Which mode do I switch to? I need to try this.
Try increasing the aperture. You can go as high as F/8.0 on the A70, not sure about the A80. Course the higher the aperture the more light/less shutter speed you'll need. But higher aperture increases the depth of field, meaning more of your scene will be in focus.
I've only had my camera do the unfocused-focus-unfocused thing a few times. The AiAF system isn't fool proof, but if it's happening all the time.. that's weird?.
As for getting better macros.. I've never used auto mode to take macros. I suggest putting 'er in manual mode and settin' yerrself up for some learnin'.
After a few thousand pictures, you'll start to get the feel of what settings are needed for where.
I really wish the A series stopped down farther than f/8.0. I'd be able to get some killer macro shots with the flash if it did.
As for getting better macros.. I've never used auto mode to take macros. I suggest putting 'er in manual mode and settin' yerrself up for some learnin'.
After a few thousand pictures, you'll start to get the feel of what settings are needed for where.
I really wish the A series stopped down farther than f/8.0. I'd be able to get some killer macro shots with the flash if it did.
Your qustions have been dealt with. Read this iste. Get to know your camera. I just figured out a bunch of stuf on my s330 I had no idea about.
http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/psa80/index-e.html
http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/psa80/index-e.html
I see the A80 is similar to the A70 and has the same aperture range, so try messing with that if you haven't already. Also, find out how the autofocus works on your camera. On mine (Fuji s602z) for example, I can choose from 3 different AF metering types, Spot AF, Area, and multi-point. Each one focuses differently depending on what you want to do. I don't know if your cam has that or not, but you might want to look into it.
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