LensofNature

Re: Geriatric - Lol, that's a good way of putting it. Re: macro lenses: Yes, I always use a tripod, unless the subject is a bird in flight (which usually turns out to be a blur anyway) or other fast moving object. That's why I tend to choose stationary subjects. I have my remote shutter release and usually have Image Stabilization turned off, unless I forgot to do so while attempting hand-held shots Before I bought my shutter release remote, I used the timer as well. I'll check out the Sigma 105 lens. Thanks!

Thank you so much for this information. What is linear displacement? I noticed on a couple of student online groups I was in that focusing with a macro lens can be a bit challenging and require a bit of a learning curve. The EF-S 60 mm sounds interesting to me. I saw the lens you mentioned on KEH; it will be a bit more with the exchange rate and shipping because I live in Canada, but the prices are ridiculous and the HST makes it worse. So, can you give a concrete example of the 60 mm working distance for a spatially challenged hobbyist like me, lol, such as almost on top of the flower, across the street, on the path. I keep getting mixed up between the focusing distance and the focal length, but discovered the former on the Exif data on my photo editing software. I'm also going to check out the 100 mm, although wouldn't I be able to use the 55-250 mm for that or is it a special macro lens?

I am initially drawn to the water and sky that is framed by the railing and window frame. I would prefer the colour rather than black and white version, which I feel would bring the scene more to life. What strikes me most is the juxtaposition between the dilapidation of what appears to me to be an abandoned building, which evokes a feeling of desolation/depression, and the beach/ocean scene, which symbolizes, for me, life, oxygen, nature and sense of order. From a technical point of view, I like the frame within a frame. On the other hand, the scene appears to be very busy and lacking in focus/contrast (be it light, clarity, colour or what have you), so that my eye wanders to various elements of the photo and it is hard to pick out the central theme/story/subject(s). Still, there is something compelling and melancholic about the scene for me.

Thank you, yes I do have the kit lens - I recently "upgraded" from a T6 to the T7 recently. I wanted something without a steep learning curve and the ability to use the lenses I already have. The Rebel T7's kit lens has Image Stabilization. It sounds like the close-up lens would be more manageable to handle - and cheaper. I'll check it out.

I'm new to this forum and have enjoyed close-ups of flowers and other forms of nature. While my photos may not be technically considered macro or micro yet in terms of the magnification ratio, I hope to get a true macro lens once I learn more about the techniques involved in this type of photography - and how heavy the lens is. Any recommendations for relatively lightweight entry level macro lens would be greatly appreciated. The lenses I use for close up at this time are the 55-250 mm and the 85 mm ( I have a Canon Rebel T7 crop sensor camera, so photos are that much more enlarged on these lenses).

I don't feel confident in my skills at portrait photography, and have not had many opportunities to practice. My Canon Rebel T6 has it's limitations also; however, due to a lack of understanding of lenses, I bought an 85 mm for another purpose, and found it was especially designed for portraiture. It takes lovely close up shots with nice blurred backgrounds. I would suggest also placing equal priority to focusing on the subjects eyes and being mindful of backlighting that could put your model in shadow and maybe cause blown highlights from the sky/trees.