Canon 20D - 100 mm setup

[Scubapearce]

I am planning on buying a macro lens for and upcoming trip and have been looking at the Canon 100mm macro. I would like some input on how to configure the Cano 20D to utilize the my strobe power and achieve maximum depth of field. Can any of you help?

 

[alcina]

Umm, I guess I don't really totally understand the question?

For your strobes and macro, try putting them close to the front of the dome and slightly angled. You only want the edges of light to paint your subject.

For DOF control your aperture. F22 is a very popular aperture setting to give you the max DOF. Remember as you get closer to your subject, your DOF will decrease. I use everything from wide open to f32, depending on the shot I want.

If you are still looking for a macro lens, you might want to consider the 60mm macro instead. It's allows you a wider range of subjects from the very tiny to medium sized fishies. The 60mm doesn't allow as much working distance as the 100mm and I actually prefer this in many situations. Most others prefer the extra working distance of the 100mm as they find they don't spook the fish etc as much. I just work with it and haven't had too many problems

I also have Woody's dioptre which fits for both lenses.

If you haven't, check out the Sticky (follow the Pink Link in my signature) for some more information.

 

[Scubapearce]

Umm, I guess I don't really totally understand the question?

For your strobes and macro, try putting them close to the front of the dome and slightly angled. You only want the edges of light to paint your subject.

For DOF control your aperture. F22 is a very popular aperture setting to give you the max DOF. Remember as you get closer to your subject, your DOF will decrease. I use everything from wide open to f32, depending on the shot I want.

If you are still looking for a macro lens, you might want to consider the 60mm macro instead. It's allows you a wider range of subjects from the very tiny to medium sized fishies. The 60mm doesn't allow as much working distance as the 100mm and I actually prefer this in many situations. Most others prefer the extra working distance of the 100mm as they find they don't spook the fish etc as much. I just work with it and haven't had too many problems



My issue has to do with the setup in the camera. I have set the camera on Aperture priority to increase DOF and the strobes flash, however the shutter speed still extends for 1 or 2 seconds. I am not certain how to configure the camera to accept the high number opening (F16 - 22) and do so with a 1/60sec shutter using the strobes for the lighting needed.

 

[bigfrog23]

one thing that you can go into custom stetting in the menu and go to flash sync. speed in AV mode and change it from 0: Auto to 1:1/250sec. (fixed) this will only work if your camera set up is capable of communicating with the strobes by way of TTL.

if you are set up is not capable of TTL you will need to use manual mode. this is were my camera stays unless i am shooting sports and even then i still use it most of the time. try setting the camera to manual mode and then set the shutter at 1/125sec to 1/250sec and then set the apriture to were you want it and then you the strobe to compensate for the lack of available light. this can be a little slower that TTL but you will eventually get better results than TTL flash photography.

Good luck i hoped this helped some instead of confusing you even more.
on a side note
as for lenses i like the 100mm macro but love my 60mm macro lens it is just a little more versatile. and i recomend it
strongly.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Scubapearce,

Remember, this is macro you are talking about so there is very limited depth of field no matter what you do.

What housing and strobe set up are you using?

Jeff

 

[bigfrog23]

i am using a aquatica A30D and two ys-120 for for wide angle and for macro i use either 90mm sigma or a cannon 60mm macro lens with a ys-120 and a ys-90dx. for basic macro shooting i use a shutter speed of 1/250sec with an aperture of about f8-f32. this aperture range works works well for me. let me take you through my shot process basically i will set the shutter speed to 1/250sec. (2) select a aperture that soots the subject say f11 (3) then take a shot look at and the histogram on the screen and see if it is over exposed or under exposed (4)then i will change the power out put of the strobes to correct the exposure. final i will take other shot and repeat the process until i am happy with the image.

the fallowing image was take with my A30D with the 60mm Macro and ys120 & ys-90dx strobs exposure was 1/125 @ f8 (1/2 power on ys-120 and 3/4 power on ys-90dx

 

[alcina]

Hmm, why set it in Aperture Priority? Stick it in manual, choose your aperture and shutter then use the power controls on your strobes to add the amount of light you want.

If I'm shooting something at f22 and shutter 1/80 (I rarely go this low, but I have done. Don't see the point for most macro as the light is coming from the strobes anyway.) I'll turn my strobe power down to -2 or -3 ish on my Inons...you may also move them back a tad. It's going to be a bit of trial and error until you find the light that works for you in your conditions and for your subject.

Is that closer to helpful lol?

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Hmm, why set it in Aperture Priority? Stick it in manual, choose your aperture and shutter then use the power controls on your strobes to add the amount of light you want.

If I'm shooting something at f22 and shutter 1/80 (I rarely go this low, but I have done. Don't see the point for most macro as the light is coming from the strobes anyway.) I'll turn my strobe power down to -2 or -3 ish on my Inons...you may also move them back a tad. It's going to be a bit of trial and error until you find the light that works for you in your conditions and for your subject.

Is that closer to helpful lol?

I agree with Alcina --stick with manual.

 

[Scubapearce]

I agree with Alcina --stick with manual.

Guys, thanks for the feedback here is what I posted to Alcina elsewhere. Does it clarify what I am having trouble with? I want to stay auto with TTL functioning but I don't get the shutter speed I want when I select a higher number F stop?

Thanks for the input, my issue is not with the shutter speed although you are right to suggest I use a faster speed. I have an eTTL II connection between my camera (through the housing) and the twin strobes. Based on this I assume I can get the maximum DOF using something like F16 - 22. The strobe/TTL combo should give me well lit pictures and use an acceptable shutter speed automatically. Unfortunately the strobes do a full dump putting enough light on the subject but then the shutter stays open for up to 2 seconds. There is something in the camera setup that I am missing and I am hoping someone can help me figure it out.

 

[alcina]

Yes, that is much more clear. It's a ttl issue you're trying to resolve. Sorry can't help - I shoot manual strobes.