C5050 Macro Techniques/Settings/Lenses.

[Aquabach]

I love my 5050 but have not been happy with my macro shots.
I've tried many different settings, and I'm not getting the results I'd like. I use my 5050 with the PT 015 housing and Ikelite 125 strobe using the Ikelite EV Manual Controller.

I just sent it in for the CCD replacement. Maybe that had something to do with it but I thought I'd ask some other users what macro procedures/settings /techniques etc as been most successful for them. Do you recommend a wet lense?

Please share what has worked great and what doesn't.

On a related issue, any suggested readings specific to the 5050 that would help me with macro or anything else for that matter.

Thank you

 

[spt29970]

I have retired my Oly5050 since getting a dSLR, but I got great macro shots with my 5050. I considered macro and supermacro to be the 5050's strengths. Since it can focus within a couple inches of the lens, you don't need a dedicated macro lens. What are you unsatisfied with? Is is the sharpness of the focus or the lighting?

One trick you should be aware of is that by default the camera doesn't fire the strobe in super-macro mode since the on-board flash would be vignetted by the lens. To get it to fire, you have to put it into into slave flash mode and then adjust the flash strength until your external flash fires. One advantage of this configuration is that it extends the battery life by preventing the internal flash from doing full dumps, and it recycles faster.

When I was shooting my trusty 5050, I used the Heinrichs Digital Adapter, so I had true TTL flash control. In addition to TTL, the internal flash didn't fire so I didn't have problems with backscatter from it.

If you check my flickr site (http://www.flickr.com/photos/drsteve) , everything before 10-2005 was shot with my 5050. Here are a few examples:

 

[jlyle]

Set the f-stop to F/8 for maximum depth of field. Use 1/250 sec & ISO 64. Even at F/8, the DOF is very shallow. Take several images to get one "keeper."

Like Steve said, use "slave," level 1, on the camera's flash, and the EV controller to dial the strobe up or down.

If you are going to a 'wet' macro lens adapter, get two Inon 165's and stack them. IMHO, one 165 doesn't get you anything you can't already do with the camera's supermacro mode. When you buy your macro lens adapters, send me a PM for how to use them.

 

[dbh]

Here is a primer that I put together for a friend years ago:

5050 Settings

HTH,
Dave

 

[Footslogger]

Here's where I started:

Splashdown Divers - Boynton Beach, Florida - Underwater Digital Photography - 5050 Settings - 5060 Settings

Made a few changes here and there but for the most part the above settings have served me well ...

 

[Aquabach]

Thanks to all you guys. Some very very nice shots. I think my problem may have been with my CCD which is being changed now. I even shot macro shots of some buttons using a tripod and out of 20 shots maybe 2 were good. The focus was more often than not poor no matter how many different ways I tried to shoot it.

Spt29970, I knew in supermacro mode it wouldn't fire but I didn't know I could change that. I'll certainly try that when I get my camera back.

I'm getting it back next week and off to the Keys in Feb and Bonaire in March and will get the opportunity to check it out and try some of the suggestions you guys left me