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S95 for macro/close-up/bug photos
  • solarshootersolarshooter +1 -1 (+1 / -0 )
    Posts: 289
    I like to take photos of little things. Insects, seedlings, miniature worlds.

    The S95 is quite a good camera for this purpose, as the large sensor takes in a lot of light and allows the camera to focus on small scenes. It takes excellent quality close up photos with no fuss. There's a defined "macro" mode (and also a manual focus mode), but I've hardly even experimented with these, as it seems that in "auto" the camera will happily focus at the minimum range.

    Here's a close-up I shot a couple weeks ago. I've read about this phenomenon but have rarely witnessed it. I looked underneath one of my sunflower's leave to find thousands and thousands of aphids in all life stages. Hordes of ants were walking amongst these aphids, and periodically "milking" them for sweet honeydew. Here's the shot, uncropped (at 2:3 aspect ratio, not full sensor 3:4).

    ants and aphids

    This was taken at the widest lens angle. That is, zoomed out all the way, with the camera held very close to the subject. At this short distance, the focal range is very narrow. You can see the plane of focus follow the curve of the leaf. Everything in front of and behind this plane is suitably blurry. I'd judge this to be a good photo and an interesting look into a tiny subject, ant-aphid relations. But the pocketable S95 clearly doesn't offer huge magnification, not like an SLR rig with a big macro lens.

    There's a trick, though, for a more magnified looking picture. The high resolution sensor allows for some cropping to get a closer look. Here's an 1800x1200px crop of the same photo (shrunk to fit the forum). This is still enough pixels (300dpi) for a high-quality print at 4x6".

    ants and aphids (crop 4x6" 300dpi)

    Now this is a great photo. You can make out aphid antennae, ant mandibles, and the jewel-like abdomen of a honeydew engorged ant.

    And just for reference, here's a crop of the photo at full size, using all of the sensor's pixels. (Note that the full crop isn't in the focal plane. The aphids near the center left are at max focus.) A full size crop like this might even look a little nicer with a bit more sharpening on the computer.

    ants and aphids (full res crop)

    Loves: syzygynius

  • solarshootersolarshooter +1 -1
    Posts: 289
    Another close up. This is a cool wasp that landed on a nearby fennel umbel while my buddy and I were digging a garden bed. Just whipped the S95 out of my pocket and took a couple quick snaps before it flow away. With a larger, more cumbersome camera, I would have never been able to take this shot at all.

    Here's the full frame.

    wasp

    And here's an 1800x1200px crop, great for a 4x6" print.

    wasp (crop 4x6" 300dpi)

    What happened to your wing, I wonder?
  • LowLightSueLowLightSue +1 -1
    Posts: 198
    that is one lovely photo, am a keen user of the macro mode, and I love that pic!
  • syfsyf +1 -1
    Posts: 143
    Great photos! I especially like the 'milking' scene...

    One thing I can share is, don't rely on the auto focus too much if you're taking a small subject against a far away background. I made that mistake and didn't realise it until it was too late...

    Here's an example:
    sapa_col_21
    The spider came out a bit blurred... (i guess because the web was slanting, and i shifted the focus point by accident)

    And... another one (just because this creature is freaky! :)
    sapa_col_22
  • syfsyf +1 -1
    Posts: 143
    Hey, I've got a suggestion... Why not somebody post some comparison shots on the bokeh effect and aperture shapes (is that the correct term?) I'm not well versed in macro shooting, and would very much like a few more tips on this.
  • syfsyf +1 -1
    Posts: 143
    Grasshopper at my office... (not my pet)
    hopper
  • solarshootersolarshooter +1 -1
    Posts: 289
    !!!
  • LizardOfDoomLizardOfDoom +1 -1
    Posts: 9
    BEAUTIFUL!
  • syfsyf +1 -1
    Posts: 143
    It's been three weeks and it's still there! So i took a few more shots...
    BS_03

    BS_02

    BS_01

    The last one's a bit blurred... urgh...
  • solarshootersolarshooter +1 -1
    Posts: 289
    The first of the three is really phenomenal, great DOF.

    I've found that what's true for humans is equally true for insects: if the eyes aren't in focus, the photo doesn't really connect.
  • syfsyf +1 -1
    Posts: 143
    @solarshooter - True. I guess I focused on the legs, but even a very slight distance to its body produced blur. That's a really shallow DOF! hahaha... Must try different techniques next time.
  • S95OwnerS95Owner +1 -1
    Posts: 23
    Macro is amazing on the s95 :)
  • JickersJickers +1 -1
    Posts: 67
    I wonder if s95 can detect the face of the grasshopper haha! Great macro shots here! ;-)
  • LowLightSueLowLightSue +1 -1
    Posts: 198
    I am off to an estate tomorrow, they are only open for 28 days a year, and apparently have the most wonderful display of snowdrops..

    Any tips on capturing some good close ups using the macro mode - a silly question probably but does it matter what mode the camera is in to be able to use Macro, is one any better than an other if that is the case?

    Many thanks.
  • HitmanHitman +1 -1
    Posts: 392
    I believe most modes except auto mode lets you select manual focusing/macro
    If possible use a (mini)tripod to get the camera as still as possible, use a short timer for the same reason.

    Play around with the aperture to find a nice depth of field (low numbers shallow d/f high numbers large d/f)

    When using the flash to fill, set it to a low level, and maybe dissipate the light a bit with a piece of tissue paper or something like that.

    But most important of all, make lots of shots with different settings and angles, and enjoy your trip!

    ps: the HDR mode (in scene) also allows you to set manual focus! I still intend to play around with that a bit more, but I guess it should be possible to make HDR "macro's" taken that the subject doesn't move
  • lynchknotlynchknot +1 -1
    Posts: 87
    It seems like this is about as close as I can get with macro:

    image

    but when I hold this lens in front of the camera lens:

    image

    much more bokeh and close up.

    image

    However, because of the extreme curvature of the lens, DOF is extreme. A flatter lens would reduce the DOF.
  • solarshootersolarshooter +1 -1
    Posts: 289
    Great tip, @lynchknot. I used to use a small botanist's hand lens (or jeweler's loupe) to take very close up shots. What is that lens from?
  • lynchknotlynchknot +1 -1
    Posts: 87
    I have a fascination with magnifying lenses, binoculars, surveillance cameras as well as other stuff that don't use a lens. I've been collecting them for years and get most of them from thrift stores. I have no idea what they were used for and I have no idea what I can use them for! I just like them.

    These are two of my largest. I think I will now experiment with the S95 and these:

    image
  • solarshootersolarshooter +1 -1
    Posts: 289
    Very cool. Fun and useful thing to collect
  • JickersJickers +1 -1
    Posts: 67
    Macro shot of my camera bag (night time):
    image
  • Simon_GardnerSimon_Gardner +1 -1
    Posts: 87
    One of my prime requirements was close focus. Even though I have macro lenses. Close focus was the sole reason I very nearly went for the Panny LX5 which does go closer [from memory the LX5 goes as close as 1cm compared to the S95 at 5cm]. Whereas the LX5 going wider than the S95 was not so much of an influence.
  • GlennGlenn +1 -1
    Posts: 27
    Some really nice looking macro shots here! Well done!
  • badadunkbadadunk +1 -1
    Posts: 9
    Ladybug Ladybug Fly away home....

    ladybug fly away home
  • HitmanHitman +1 -1
    Posts: 392
    @badadunk very cool! did you use a loup or something? or is the vignetting done post process?
  • badadunkbadadunk +1 -1
    Posts: 9
    Thanx! @Hitman yes the vignetting was done post process.

    I love my s95! It comes in handy at times like this. I had to take a quick shot lil bugger was all over the place
  • monsterallanmonsterallan +1 -1
    Posts: 64
    The spring has arrived in Denmark so has this little guest
    Buzy as a little bee...

    Taken with macromode. I would lige to 'crop' the bumblebee similar as the ants and the wasp. Pretty much a newbie in doing this. Any suggestion on how I get started on this?
  • chuklchukl +1 -1
    Posts: 164
    monsterallan,

    What a beautiful bee shot - and the portrait "Blond girl..." @ Flickr is just excellent. Not to mention the stunning "Spring is in the air" - WOW!

    Newbie? ... maybe. Photographer? Yes!

    Page 143 in the S95 user guide will show you how to crop, (Canon calls it "trim"), in camera. Otherwise you need software on your computer, which is by far the best way as the camera screen is so small.

    For simplicity use:

    Zoombrowser (from your camera disk if you haven't installed the software)> Edit>Edit Image>Select Image>Select Tool>[select]Trim>Finish. Now crop widow comes up; expand that window and "trim" as you wish.

    Nothing is easier than cropping.

  • juxyjuxy +1 -1
    Posts: 61
    chukl said: Nothing is easier than cropping.


    And nothing is more important for improving every shot...
  • monsterallanmonsterallan +1 -1
    Posts: 64
    @Chuckl tnx for the nice words:-) and tnx for the info about cropping. I will try out your procedure with the software following the cam.
  • chuklchukl +1 -1
    Posts: 164
    @ monsterallan

    Create a copy first and crop that, or, if you use the original, BE SURE to 'save as' and 'rename' (just add "crop"or whatever) - then you do not loose your original!

    Sorry not to mention this before! Hope you had no "accident". :- (

    ------------------

    @juxy

    Not "every shot" - if the photographer is happy with the composition, what then?

    Although, perhaps, most shots might benefit. Always good to check composition with cropping in mind.
  • JickersJickers +1 -1
    Posts: 67
    image
    image

    Camera Setting: JPEG - AV mode, SS:1/320, F/5.0, ISO80, Focal length:15mm, Color:Vivid
  • VandVand +1 -1
    Posts: 305
    volkswagon's new beetle:) the new Beetle:)
  • VandVand +1 -1
    Posts: 305
    my friend the new beetle parked
  • VandVand +1 -1 (+1 / -0 )
    Posts: 305
    fly
    need I say more?

    Loves: LowLightSue

  • LILIAKULILIAKU +1 -1
    Posts: 318
    @Vand Wow, that macro lens really dos it's job ! ;)
  • VandVand +1 -1
    Posts: 305
    @LILIAKU it does if you look at the fly closely you'll see that its hurt, above the middle leg, I post-processed the picture now and put a red tint to it to look like blood
  • VandVand +1 -1
    Posts: 305
    tthe hurt fly
  • VandVand +1 -1
    Posts: 305
    ever wonder what a baby pine cone looks like?
    the baby pine cone
  • LILIAKULILIAKU +1 -1
    Posts: 318
    Death of a spider

    Death of a spider
  • mtologlumtologlu +1 -1
    Posts: 81
    Vand said: need I say more?


    Maybe you say camera settings :) Do you remember subject to camera distance? Is there any post processing? Excellent shot by the way.
  • VandVand +1 -1
    Posts: 305
    @mtologlu in all my photos I say if they were postprossesed or not. The settings are from 1/50 to1/100 at f8.0 and I always keep my camera at 80 ISO unless the shot is one of the auto modes like the ''one color, rest B&W'' then I have no idea as I don't check the metadata after I take the shot
  • VandVand +1 -1
    Posts: 305
    oh and those were with my macro lens
  • mtologlumtologlu +1 -1
    Posts: 81
    @vand thank you for the explanation.
    By the way, isn't any lens exist in the market for the lensmate adapter like 37 mm filters? Why did you make your own macro lens; as a hobby or you don't find a suitable lens??
  • VandVand +1 -1
    Posts: 305
    Norway is an expensive country, and as the guy in Texas said ''If it aint broke, fix it.''
  • VandVand +1 -1
    Posts: 305
    daisy...or not...
    BOKEH!!!!
  • HitmanHitman +1 -1
    Posts: 392
    Went on a little bug hunt while walking the dog:

    IMG_2947c

    IMG_2948c

    IMG_2900

    IMG_2915c
  • LILIAKULILIAKU +1 -1
    Posts: 318
    very nice bee :)
  • goutham112goutham112 +1 -1
    Posts: 15
    IMG_0232
  • goutham112goutham112 +1 -1
    Posts: 15
    Overexposed i guess ... Got to work on that ...
  • adam_lss01adam_lss01 +1 -1 (+1 / -0 )
    Posts: 509
    finally joining the bug thread :P

    image

    Loves: LowLightSue

  • mtologlumtologlu +1 -1
    Posts: 81
    adam_lss01 said: finally joining the bug thread :
    excellent shoot, best S95 macro I've ever seen; Did you use any additional lens and/or filter attached to the camera?

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