Yesterday I learned to use a small aperture when using my close up filters on my 50mm lens. Compare this picture of a shell I took using full automatic mode (f/4.0, shutter 1/60, ISO 400) while holding the camera versus this picture I took using aperture priority mode (f/22.0, shutter 5/1, ISO 100) with the camera balanced very still. I took the pictures on different days with different light conditions and I'm sure camera shake got me on the first one, but the difference in detail is remarkable. In both cases I was using all 3 filters (1+, 2+, 4+) when shooting the shell, which is smaller than a golf ball.
Here are pictures of a ceramic water buffalo (f/22.0, shutter 8/1, ISO 100) and some cacti (f/22.0, shutter 10/1, ISO 100) using the same technique.
See also cameras.
