Another “three macros” post for today, I took my 105mm f/2.8 AI-s Micro out with its dedicated PN-11 extension tube to try a bit of handheld 1:.88 magnification photography. Lessons learned:
1. Don’t try this anymore
2. Relax and take slow, deep breaths
3. Burst mode is a lifesaver
4. Direct sunlight can be helpful
5. Really, just use a tripod from now on
Handholding at this much of a magnification ratio is absolutely ridiculous. The smallest twitch will not only result in motion blur (if the shutter speed isn’t at least 1/320), but will completely move the focus points. Even at f/8, the depth-of-field at 1.34 feet is just over a tenth of an inch. Steady hands (which I feel I have) are a godsend.
Regardless, a few shots were made that I’d like to share. All taken with the Sony NEX-7:
Natural Grid
105mm, ISO 800, f/8, 1/80
Flowerception
105mm, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/125
As mentioned, by using a tripod, greater depth-of-field and higher image quality can be obtained. Only hard part is positioning the tripod!
Hidden Beauty
105mm, ISO 100, f/16, 1/200
Now all I need to do is find some little scrambling, bumbling bugs to photograph. THAT will be a fun challenge. 🙂
That’s all for this post guys and gals, thanks for dropping by, and as always, have a great day!
Matthew Durr Photography 
they are beautiful. how small are they?
Thank you Angela, the first is a normal dandelion, the second is a small field flower about 1/2 inch wide, and the last is a cluster of flowers each about 2 mm wide. 🙂 In other words, tiny things you can’t really see with your eyes.
great and we can see them now clearly with our eyes..:)
Handheld? Wow!
They sure were Eths. Never doing that again. 😉
What I love about this macro is without the extension tube, the maximum magnification ratio is 1:2, which is about the closest I would want to get handheld anyway. So the times I do “serious” macro with a long and heavy kit it can be done on a tripod. But for normal usage and other close-ups, I’ve got a compact and lightweight optic. 🙂