Canon Macro lens for wedding ring detail shots?

[dennis osipiak]

I've done lots of ring shots over flowers etc, but what I've seen and liked to

try is extreme closeups of rings, blurring the background (how open should the F

stop be with this intense closeup?) (for 20D and 30D cameras) What focal length

would you advise? Macros are all over the place in focal length...Second

question involves lighting..to maximize detail and contrast how do you advise

lighting this shot? Rings can off the hand or in some cases still on.

thanks

Dennis

[savagesax]

I like natural lighting, shade, no flash, when that is possible. When it is not just the rings alone look kind of cool on top of the wedding invitation or on a rose, something like that. In this case I usually us an off camera flash and bounced using whatever type of bounce system you like such as a simple bounce card to the new wild Gary Fong toilet thing.

[savagesax]

The 100mm macro is kind of cool for the effect you are looking for.

[marknagel]

I prefer the whole ring(s) to be in focus with a blurry background. If you use a Macro and too close a focus distance your Dof will be razor thin with maybe only 2mm in focus (extreme). Not sure what your primary lens is, but the 24-70L has a very good magnification 1:3.5. At about a 12" focus distance you can probably get a Dof 1/4 th ring diameter (only 1/4 ring in focus) So you may stop it down for f/4 or more.

 

Mark

[mikestryinagain]

I think the canon 100 macro is probably the most prevalent for these shots.

[conraderb]

take rings off the hands, I would say.

 

the canon EF-S 60mm macro is a good choice for this situation - small, sharp and a good value.

 

I like sidebounced flash with a touch of ambient light warming things up.

 

obviously use whatever aperutre you like. try 2.8 and then try 16. you will see the difference. ain't no magic aperture.

[fotografz]

Just get a Canon dual element close up filter for your existing lens ... unless you have money

burning a hole in your pocket : -) They come in 72mm and 77 mm sizes.

[ben_rubinstein___mancheste1664880652]

I can get more OOF with close up using my 24-70L at f4 than with my 85mm 1.8 wide open, it's just how near you can get. An extension ring will work with your current lenses and costs even less that the close up filter...