I think I tend to just crop the photo in to whatever looks best and most suitable for the image - which then leaves one problem - you can't get a frame to fit it! Ive never understood crop ratios - so now's time to learn with everything else :D In Photoshop - can you set the crop tool so it only cr...

I will always try and use my tripod (with remote), a Benbo Trekker with joystick ball head one end and standard ball head the other. Failing that, my monopod. Always manual focus unless the subject is moving quite quickly - this with Sigma 105mm (preferred as MF is easier) or 150mm (if rapid landsca...

There's a wonderful, I think Russian, shoulder stock which I very nearly went for on fleaBay a couple of years ago - but backed off after thinking about the consequences of going into the countryside with a rig that looked remarkably like a rifle! Borne out by the subsequent exploits of someone who ...

I leave mine in Evaluative (with occasional forays into Spot) and use Exposure Compensation based upon the subject and lighting (guesstimate/experience) with confirmation from the Histogram (my main ally!)

Has anyone tried the cheaper ring-flash units ie c £100? How do they stack-up against the Branded ones? (apart from being 1/4 the price!) Ta... N I've used the Marumi. http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1026071 Same as the Sigma but fewer options/controls - but it does the job...

I use (very little as I dislike flash lighting) the EM-140 Sigma macro ringflash and have an additional adapter for the 150mm lens - is there no Canon flash ring adapter?

Just some random thoughts: Tripod by preference, followed by monopod/stabilisation (watch carrying your camera on mono/tripod slung over shoulder as you're stressing the attachment point) 105mm is fine for any macro (I usually use in preference to 150mm) Nothing wrong with secondhand - but know your...

Must admit that I always stick to, by preference, as is ex-camera @ 3:2 or cropped to 4:3 or 1:1. Rarely outside those but then ~I like to say I see the finished shot before I press the shutter release!

Polly wrote:I was hoping for a bright, warm Sunday so I could go outside and take a few macro shots but I think I may stay indoors (it's perishing out there).

LOL! It's been snowing here already - brief flurry only tho' (so far!)

Ahhh, looks like Ystradfellte! Glad you didn't fall in - a mate regularly pulls them that do, out!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Yes correct the canon 100 certainly is the only one of canon, sigma and Tamron without an extending front. Also the only with USM and where the tripod collar is even an option (and from my experiences with the larger lenses that have this, a very worth addition if you are considering monopod shooti...

And I'm even later in thanking for them!

A belated many thanks!

Shooting macros (I'm talking true macros here, 1:1 at least) without a tripod is a little like shooting landscapes without a tripod; you can get good results in either genres but you'll get better results with a tripod - sadly, VR/IS/OS effectiveness at macro magnifications is virtually non-existent...

Another comment for how good Sigma are: I've a Sigma SD10 on which I managed to jam the shutter release - was on the beach and managed to get some sand into the release. Whilst it was still under warranty, I admitted to how I'd managed to damage it - they replaced the whole mechanism and had it back...

Having found this thread (sorry, I didn't look hard enough :( ) I shall be placing my order for a couple :) I also read through the whole thread and, whilst some may have been upset by some comments (it always seems to be the way with all forums!) I always maintain it's better said (and then debated...

I had the gearing stripped off my Sigma 55-200mm kit lens (was the exposure ring, so stuck on min exposure) which I'd had from new but although I saw the gear ring on eBay, I decided against repairing and got the 70-300mm (a much better lens which has been great). No probs with either macro (105 and...

Centripetal force

I've used the Canon 100mm and the main differences between it and the Sigma 105mm are that it has internal focussing (barrel doesn't extend - as per the Sigma 150mm), the build quality is better but is heavier (the image quality is the same) and the Sigma includes a lens hood (an extra with the Cano...

No, you won't get bigger, just further back. The macro side of things is 1:1 for both lenses (and most macros). Zooms tend to be half that at 1:2 (so further back but image is not as large) Thanks for the nice comments - ironically, having said I prefer the 105mm, most of those are with the 150mm or...