Canon 580exII for outdoor macro focus stacking questions

[PhotoJedi]

Hi, so as the title suggests.... i want to shoot some macro shots of bugs/spiders etc in my yard using the 580exII with my Canon 80D

Im kinda new to trying this and after getting so many blurry useless images, im here to get some advice from those who know

Gear Used:
* Canon 80D
* Flash - Canon 580exII
* Lens - 60mm macro
* Other Lens - Kit lens 18-135mm


So this is what ive been doing:

- Connect my flash and turn it and the camera on
- Press the high speed sync button on the flash ( the H with the bolt symbol ) on ETTL mode

Camera settings:

- ISO set to Auto
- Aperture set to fastest - like 1.8 - 2
- Shutter.....not sure what i should do here..... but prob about 250

Result:

Still getting mostly blurred images, its not that windy really so its probably from me moving?


What i want to do:

I want to handhold focus stack some images to process in photoshop later. Im under the assumption that i need a flash to enable me to capture subjects without blur. Also under assumption that i need to use high speed sync to do this.

Advice on how to do this with the above mentioned flash and advice on camera settings i should try would be most appreciated

If i have forgotten to add information needed to help me please let me know

Thanks in advance.

[nardes]

Hi

Are you taking photos of subjects that move, such as insects or stuff in the ground such as flowers?

Your camera will have a Sync Speed (usually 1/200 or 1/250 sec) which is the maximum shutter speed (not using HSS) to provide an evenly illuminated photo. If your lens is the Canon EF-S Macro 60mm F2.8 then it is an excellent macro lens, very sharp and capable.

I generally shoot at 1/200 or 1/250, ISO100 and F11 for insects that are some 10-20 cms from the front of the lens. These camera settings basically "kill" the daylight and the Speedlite provides all the illumination and "freezes" the action as the flash duration is probably around 1/1000 sec with the subject close to the camera.

I have my flash fitted with a diffuser and mounted off-camera to improve to provide a softer, more wrap-around light. It is important that the (apparent) size of the flash is larger than the subject to obtain nice lighting without harsh shadows.

Here is a link to a post that shows my basic macro set up for insects - it is an old post and my gear has changed but the principles behind the set up are the same.

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?97551-Dragon-and-Damsel-eyes&p=965439#post965439

With an aperture of F1.8 or 2 you will be getting a very thin depth of focus whereas F8 or F11 will provide a greater DOF so you will need fewer shots to stack.

Cheers

Dennis

[PhotoJedi]

Hi Dennis

Thanks for your reply. Yes that is the macro lens i have.

I am trying to shoot anything that doesnt run away pretty much. Various spiders such as some small jumping spiders etc...... ideally i would like them to stop moving which is when i try to shoot. But was still getting blurry images.

So for my circumstance

I should use ETTL on my flash (not on hss)
Shoot on Tv at 250th
Continuous shooting mode (burst setting)
ISO 100

Is that correct?

Will this allow my camera to shoot on burst mode as fast as it can with a flash for each shot?

[PhotoJedi]

ok Dennis so i tried to use the settings supplied in your link for your setup

580exII set to ETTL
Manual Mode
ISO 100
Shutter 250th
-You suggested F8-F11 but it seems to be stuck at 7.1 and if i try to change it an L is displayed.
What is happening?.... why cant i change aperture to F8-F11?

[nardes]

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

Where is the "L" displayed (e.g. camera, flash) and on what screen?

Cheers

Dennis

[PhotoJedi]

It shows up on the top LCD screen ontop of the camera.

When i try to change aperture on the back dial on the camera it breifly displays L where the shutter speed is displayed then goes away. But it does not change aperture.

[paulheath]

ok Dennis so i tried to use the settings supplied in your link for your setup

580exII set to ETTL
Manual Mode
ISO 100
Shutter 250th
-You suggested F8-F11 but it seems to be stuck at 7.1 and if i try to change it an L is displayed.
What is happening?.... why cant i change aperture to F8-F11?


you have your lock on, under the back round wheel is a lock button....
.144852

[nardes]

you have your lock on, under the back round wheel is a lock button....
.144852

Good bit of detective work Paul.:th3::)

Cheers

Dennis

[PhotoJedi]

oh...yes that was locked...i dont think i ever intentionally locked that lol

now it works thanks guys

i got some good shots of a garden jumping spider with the tips i received.....i will post them in the critique area for macro when i can

Cheers guys!