Today I pulled the trigger. - New macro lens!

[JFG]

Hello everyone,

I'm psyched!  Today I begin my journey into "Macro Photography".  I finally pulled the trigger and purchased the Canon RF100mm f2.8 Macro L IS USM lens with the Canon Tripod Mount Ring and Adapter.  That's right folks, as of Thursday, I'll be officially armed with a glass tube that can see the world in the eyeball of an ant. 🐜  They say, “big things come in small packages,” and now I’m about to find every speck of dust that proves it. From the elegant swirl of a snail’s shell to the fiercely dramatic stare of a housefly, I’m diving headfirst into the glorious, unpredictable, slightly itchy, and slimy realm of macro photography.

This Canon lens isn’t just a piece of equipment; t's basically a microscope that decided to become an artist. The clarity, the stabilization, the 1.4x magnification?! It’s like zooming in on life’s little secrets with style.  

So, if you start seeing way-too-close photos of flower stamens, spider legs, or the shimmering wing scales of moths, don’t panic. It’s not a zoom malfunction. It’s art.  Here’s to chasing tiny worlds and making them look massive. Let the macro madness begin! 🕷️🌿💫  

#MacroMadness #CanonRF100mmf2.8 #ZoomInAndGeekOut

[zakslm]

Joe,

Congratulations!  Enjoy your new lens. 

Based on the quality of the photos you have posted, I’m looking forward to seeing your macro shots.  I’ll bet they’ll be stunning!

Regards,

LZ

[JFG]

Thanks LZ,

However, "Macro" photography is a whole different world, and the learning curve can be a steep one, especially if one wants to achieve professional level results.  It presents unique challenges that differentiate it from other types of photography.  I just hope that with practice, practice and the willingness to learn the technical aspects I can capture tac sharp images.  The one thing I got going is that I have great canon equipment and that's half of the battle.  Now that I'm getting the lens in two days, I only need to order the Macro Flash Diffuser, and I will be complete.  Wish me luck, LZ..

[zakslm]

Joe,

The golfer, Gary Player is credited with saying, “The more I practice, the luckier I get!”  My experience dabbling in macro photography bears that out.  So practice a lot and you’ll have good luck! 

I think you will find different subjects require different techniques. Insects, flowers, man made objects, etc. sometimes require different settings.  I enjoy experimenting and trial and error, then going back and trying something different.

Sometimes, when you process your images you see things you didn’t or couldn’t see when shooting. I really like discovering a tiny bug or a details that I was oblivious to when shooting. 

Also, a macro lens like yours should be an awesome portrait/short telephoto lens as well.  You may find that you prefer it over other lenses you’ve used for those purposes in the past. 

So once again, have fun and good luck!

[JFG]

LZ,

Now I know who to go to for advice and tips on Macro photography.  Gary Player is right, the more one practices the luckier one gets. 😊   I ordered the lens today and will receive it Thursday, July 24th.  B&H provides really great 1-day free shipping/delivery.  Do you use a Macro Flash Diffuser?  I'm looking into getting one, still researching it though.

[shadowsports]

Joe,.

Welcome to the club 🤣.  Hey get ready to see bugs in a whole different light (Uhm perspective)

Make sure that you turn magnification on when shooting video 1x or 2x.  It's creepy but very cool.  You're going to enjoy the lens.  

[JFG]

Thanks Rick, 

I'll do that.  I can always count on you for good tips.  Now all I need is to get a Macro Flash Diffuser.  

[ebiggs1]

"The golfer, Gary Player is credited with saying, “The more I practice, the luckier I get!” "

Gary Player may have said that quote, even originated it, but I have heard it in well beyond golf. It seems the entire quote goes like this, In, name your sport,  there is a lot of luck involved but the more I practice the luckier I get.

When the kids at my school were going to contest or state we always kept that in mind.

[zakslm]

Joe,

I do not have a flash diffuser - but may either make one* or put one on my list!  I do use flash with macro shot including the built in flash on my camera and usually use -1 (sometimes more or less) flash exposure compensation or with external flash, flip down the diffuser on my 430EX.  I have what I think is an advantage in that I use an EF-S60mm macro and that lens is shorter (as long as I take off the hood) than any of the EF 100mm macros and less likely to cast a shadow.

As far as advice and tips, I'll be happy to help although I do not think I'm an expert by any means.  There are other Illuminaries and forum members that are far better at macro photography and more experienced and accomplished photographers that I am.  I've slid down the macro slippery slope and I am enjoying the journey and will be happy to share my experience where appropriate!

Regards,

LZ

* Back when I was shooting film decades ago, I fashioned a flash diffuser from an isopropyl alcohol bottle and a rubber band.  I cut the bottle about 3-4 inches from the bottom and did some slitting and trimming of the sides of the bottom half of the bottle so that I could slide the end of the bottle over the head of the flash and secure it to the flash with a fat rubber band.      

[zakslm]

EB,

I hear that quote often in a variety of contexts and originally thought that it was either Lee Trevino or Arnold Palmer that first said it or some version of it.  I Googled it and Google attributed Gary Player as its orginator.  If you've read Malcolm Gladwell's book  "The Tipping Point" he talks about the 10,000 hour rule which I believe is pretty much the same thing.  In any case, as my late father-in-law used to say, "Repition is the mother of retention!" which is (according to Google) a version of an ancient Latin proverb.  

Regards,

LZ