AF performance - K-x vs K-r vs EOS 550D

[doodah]

But what's your hit rate? my wife does manage to get good bug shots with AF mode, but the hit rate is low (20% or less). It's well known that the Pentax AI Servo AF mode on older bodies... sucks big time.

OTC is right, hit rate won't be very high. Taking into account difficulties involved in AF and stabilization at macro distances, I usually achieve about 20 to 40% hit rate with hand-held shots. Tripod based bug macro shooting with manual focusing is just not possible in Singapore. In temperate countries, the bugs are totally stationary in the morning, then routine tripod shooting with 100% hit rate is the norm.

Was the picture cropped? Was it taken at 1:1 mag. I could see quite a good detail of dragon fly head here.

I used extension tubes to achieve more than 1:1 magnification. Some cropping was done.

 

[detritus]

OTC is right, hit rate won't be very high. Taking into account difficulties involved in AF and stabilization at macro distances, I usually achieve about 20 to 40% hit rate with hand-held shots. Tripod based bug macro shooting with manual focusing is just not possible in Singapore. In temperate countries, the bugs are totally stationary in the morning, then routine tripod shooting with 100% hit rate is the norm.

i absolutely do not agree with your point which i had highlighted in red.

i also do not know how you came to this laughable conclusion. it is simply not true.

all my bug shots are done MF with tripod / monopod. i even have hand held shots with MF lenses that are tack sharp.

its absolutely do-able.

 

[otc]

all my bug shots are done MF with tripod / monopod. i even have hand held shots with MF lenses that are tack sharp.




Me too. Some old macro lense weights nearly 1Kg, add in the body weight, :sweat::sweat:

I have yet to own DFA 100macro but as someone has said, it hunts a lot from macro to infinity.

CAnon body, I have no experience but its something new to me, to do 1:1 with AF.

To TS, there is also an mpe 65 with twin flash that gives 5X magnification. If your wife is into macro, you may want to check that out as well beside the 100 mm macro posted by doodah.

See my flickr and almost all are done in M mode, with the aid of monopod or tripod. Most are not cropped especially the latest images.

marcus

 

[orlyandico]

Hi,

I am aware of the MPE-65 Macro. It costs an arm and a leg, and is manual-focus to boot!

@otc: I had a Vivitar 90mm Macro last year (not the "Bokina" though)! sold it to some CS person for $100!

It was quite heavy and the extension was a sight to behold (270-degree focus ring rotation to go from minimum distance to infinity).

 

[detritus]

Hi,

I am aware of the MPE-65 Macro. It costs an arm and a leg, and is manual-focus to boot!

@otc: I had a Vivitar 90mm Macro last year (not the "Bokina" though)! sold it to some CS person for $100!

It was quite heavy and the extension was a sight to behold (270-degree focus ring rotation to go from minimum distance to infinity).

if u liked the vivitar 90, wait till u see the vivitar 105 :thumbsup: ... heavy as a brick but one helluva lens... tack sharp and beautiful bokeh.

anyway, just to clarify that i'm not being "tua kang" about the hand held shot:

this one's taken with a K-X with a panagor 55mm macro borrowed from otc. hand-held. 1:1, cropped.

long-legged flies are known to be very jumpy... so its not as if i'm taking a pic of a snail or something. there is no big secret here... just plain simple holding technique, some patience and timing.

 

[doodah]

i absolutely do not agree with your point which i had highlighted in red.

i also do not know how you came to this laughable conclusion. it is simply not true.

all my bug shots are done MF with tripod / monopod. i even have hand held shots with MF lenses that are tack sharp.

its absolutely do-able.

Sorry, I should make myself clearer. It is of course possible to do bug macro photo with tripod and manual focus.

This following shot was done with tripod and manual focus.

What I really want to say is that bugs in Singapore are far too jittery. While it's possible to set up the tripod etc, by the time one is ready and close to the bug, it will have flown off. IOW, the number of missed opportunities will not be acceptable to me. Besides, setting up tripod also limits one's composition. This is particularly true for butterflies. Ask the folks in butterfly circle if you want confirmation.

IMHO, go with AF and handheld/monopod for most shots. If the opportunity arises, use tripod etc by all means.

 

[adel08]

To the TS,I dont have a k-r but i have a k-5, if they have the same AF performance then the k-r is very capable of using AF for macro shots. some of my test shots using k-5 and DFA 100 macro (handheld and auto focus). Pics are cropped.

 

[darrrrrrrrrr]

At 1:10 mag, the distance to subject will be quite far and AF I believe is usable. Darrrrrrr has a shot of a fly in motion captured. At 1:1, even depressing a shutter could cause the subject to be a little out of focus. I hope you know what i am saying.

this one?

if i remember correctly it was on autofocus, but nowhere near 1:1 mag. was shooting from about 1m away because the bumblebee was flying around so much. keeper rate was like 5% :bsmilie:

this photo was pre-focused on the flower using autofocus, but again cropped but not as much as the previous pic.

anyway my point is that with the K20D's 14MP there's no need to go all the way to 1:1 unless you are demanding maximum resolution in the final photo. for 1:1 i'll definitely be using MF since even if the AF locks quickly it'll probably lock on a wrong part of the insect head (not the eye). if your wife is willing to shoot at less than 1:1, i think the K20D can perform quite well.

final suggestion is to join some of the macro outings, confirm got canon body and macro lens to borrow and try try. maybe you'll find what you need, maybe not.

 

[detritus]

Sorry, I should make myself clearer. It is of course possible to do bug macro photo with tripod and manual focus.

What I really want to say is that bugs in Singapore are far too jittery. While it's possible to set up the tripod etc, by the time one is ready and close to the bug, it will have flown off. IOW, the number of missed opportunities will not be acceptable to me. Besides, setting up tripod also limits one's composition. This is particularly true for butterflies. Ask the folks in butterfly circle if you want confirmation.

IMHO, go with AF and handheld/monopod for most shots. If the opportunity arises, use tripod etc by all means.

Point noted. But I would add that some of the best macro lenses are MF lenses. The voigtlander 125mm for example.

As for bugs being too jittery, I think it depends on many factors such as the time of day, the type of bugs and how you approach.

At the end of the day, its different strokes for different folks no absolute right or wrong. Only what works best for you.

 

[m00nman26]

I use AF and handheld for 90% of my macros though

 

[otc]

Hi,

I am aware of the MPE-65 Macro. It costs an arm and a leg, and is manual-focus to boot!

@otc: I had a Vivitar 90mm Macro last year (not the "Bokina" though)! sold it to some CS person for $100!

It was quite heavy and the extension was a sight to behold (270-degree focus ring rotation to go from minimum distance to infinity).

You sold it for a song:bsmilie: I still have this 90 mm f2.8macro. My preference is 105 macro Bokina 90 is a different lens from the vivitar 90 2.8. There is one for sale now in B n S.

marcus

 

[otc]

this one?

if i remember correctly it was on autofocus, but nowhere near 1:1 mag. was shooting from about 1m away because the bumblebee was flying around so much. keeper rate was like 5% :bsmilie:


this photo was pre-focused on the flower using autofocus, but again cropped but not as much as the previous pic.

anyway my point is that with the K20D's 14MP there's no need to go all the way to 1:1 unless you are demanding maximum resolution in the final photo. for 1:1 i'll definitely be using MF since even if the AF locks quickly it'll probably lock on a wrong part of the insect head (not the eye). if your wife is willing to shoot at less than 1:1, i think the K20D can perform quite well.

final suggestion is to join some of the macro outings, confirm got canon body and macro lens to borrow and try try. maybe you'll find what you need, maybe not.

Yes, Darren. I like the helicopter blades spining:bsmilie:. Tks Darren.

marcus

 

[otc]

To the TS,I dont have a k-r but i have a k-5, if they have the same AF performance then the k-r is very capable of using AF for macro shots. some of my test shots using k-5 and DFA 100 macro (handheld and auto focus). Pics are cropped.

Adel08,

You have posted some excellent water droplets, from Botanical cool enclosure right?

marcus

 

[otc]

I use AF and handheld for 90% of my macros though

I am envious of you especially handheld macros. Me, sometimes I have to hold my breadth for that split seconds before triggering the shutter, to prevent a little camera shake. I mean max 1:1 magnification. I know most pentaxian do not use monopod or tripod for macro but I do:bsmilie:

Whether AF or manual, it does not matter. Its the ultimate out-put that matters. If AF macro is for you, by all means shoot more, post more

This shot in M mode, uncropped and distance maybe 10 inches.


4 sept aug10k10 A200 020-1 by luctomar, on Flickr

This flies was injured and hence I could go near that distance, maximum like 10 inches 1:1.

If I want the full body to be in the frame, I need probably 3 feet away and that would be 1:10 mag? I am not sure. AF at 1:10 is much easier. AF at 1:1 , I am not sure. I have not try. Still I have other factors like exposure, composition, background to think about.

Well, I suppose AF takes care of those issues on exposures and etc.

one more to share


[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos

Not cropped, 1:1 mag and this is the actual image shot. I want sharpness within the range, shadows removed. I want background green and so I need certain angles to bring the subject within the leaves as BG. CErtain amt of lights. So there are many other factors in capturing tht subjects on how to bring out the subject.


marcus

 

[otc]

Point noted. But I would add that some of the best macro lenses are MF lenses. The voigtlander 125mm for example.

As for bugs being too jittery, I think it depends on many factors such as the time of day, the type of bugs and how you approach.

At the end of the day, its different strokes for different folks no absolute right or wrong. Only what works best for you.

You heard of bugs out from the freezer, it will take some time to warm up. That's where macro lovers will capture and take that period to shoot before it warms up:bsmilie::bsmilie:

Early morning, spray it with cold icy water, and it will stays still cos its too cold to move.:bsmilie:

marcus

 

[detritus]

You heard of bugs out from the freezer, it will take some time to warm up. That's where macro lovers will capture and take that period to shoot before it warms up:bsmilie:

Early morning, spray it with cold icy water, and it will stays still cos its too cold to move.:bsmilie:

marcus

haha... yah... bring a small spray can and fill it up with ice and water so can spray cold water at insects when you go shooting :bsmilie:

dunno lah... i prefer a more zen approach. if the bug is quite stationery, then i can take a nice picture. if it is moving, then it is more challenging. if it is very jittery and wants to fly away, then i let it go and go shoot something else no big deal.

its my way of respecting nature

 

[orlyandico]

You sold it for a song:bsmilie: I still have this 90 mm f2.8macro. My preference is 105 macro Bokina 90 is a different lens from the vivitar 90 2.8. There is one for sale now in B n S.

marcus

Yeah the one I sold was a Komine. The one on BnS could actually be the one I sold, hahaha!

I don't really have time to sell off low-value manual stuff, as meeting up with buyers is such a pain in the :dunno:

I was looking at the value of my Pentax kit, if I got rid of everything, got a 60D + 100mm Macro + 430EX, I'd still be out $500-odd. For not much more money, I can get a K-r and keep my existing kit. Seems the K-5 and K-r both use SAFOX IX so AF performance should be similar..

(and K-r is available in pink!) :heart:

If there's one MF macro that I wouldn't mind getting though, it would be the 100mm f/4 Super-Macro-Takumar.

there's a 100/4 M on BnS right now, but I don't think it has the same optical formula as the old screw-mount (which was a Heliar).

This was one of my wife's photos, taken with a Phoenix 100mm f/3.5 1:2 AF macro (for Pentax). A clackety plastic lens, but AF, and cheap (since sold):

This is a crop, obviously, and only 1:2.

 

[ricsal]

To me, the best time for Macro is Night. As the insect isnt jittery at all. Except gotta be careful of snakes lah. and a Led white light or Ring Light.

I too have been using AF. I tried MF but always miss on every crucial moment.

 

[detritus]

To me, the best time for Macro is Night. As the insect isnt jittery at all. Except gotta be careful of snakes lah. and a Led white light or Ring Light.

I too have been using AF. I tried MF but always miss on every crucial moment.

i've been wanting to do that bet never found the chance or kakis to do this... definitely not something i want to try alone... in case kena wild boar, or snakes or hornets :sweat:

maybe we should have a 2nd outing this month for night macro?

think UV light comes in handy too? cos some creepy crawlies glow under UV light (i.e. scorpions)

 

[otc]

Yeah the one I sold was a Komine. The one on BnS could actually be the one I sold, hahaha!

I don't really have time to sell off low-value manual stuff, as meeting up with buyers is such a pain in the :dunno:

I was looking at the value of my Pentax kit, if I got rid of everything, got a 60D + 100mm Macro + 430EX, I'd still be out $500-odd. For not much more money, I can get a K-r and keep my existing kit. Seems the K-5 and K-r both use SAFOX IX so AF performance should be similar..

(and K-r is available in pink!) :heart:

If there's one MF macro that I wouldn't mind getting though, it would be the 100mm f/4 Super-Macro-Takumar.

there's a 100/4 M on BnS right now, but I don't think it has the same optical formula as the old screw-mount (which was a Heliar).

This was one of my wife's photos, taken with a Phoenix 100mm f/3.5 1:2 AF macro (for Pentax). A clackety plastic lens, but AF, and cheap (since sold):

This is a crop, obviously, and only 1:2.

Not bad a shot, just need to shoot more, post more and the image produce will be better and better over time. The old saying "Practise makes perfect"

By the way, we have a gathering tomorrow. You may want join in and share and I am sure there are many others to share their views on this subject matter.

marcus