A low of 200 is the default factory setting on the K-r so I'd guess the camera settings simply haven't been adjusted.

The ISO can be set to a low of 100 (page 89 user manual) unless highlight correction is set to 'on' in which case 200 is the minimum.

Cheers Don

I'm still very much a beginner at macro and still playing around with lenses/tubes to see what works.

I'll have another go today and see if I can look one in the eye!

If these are with the 90mm Tamron then you should be able to get in much closer with plenty of sharpness.

If your tripod is tending to shake then that's an obvious weakness and probably needs to be addressed. The slow shutter speed isn't likely to be the problem if you are using a sturdy tripod unless the ladybird is moving.

You might want to try using the 2 second delay on the K-r rather than the remote and see if that works better. The image stabilising turns off and the mirror lifts which minimises vibration. I have the remote and never use it now as results are always better with the delay.

I'd stick with as low an ISO as you can get away with. The K-r can do some very impressive shots at high ISO, but with high magnification macro shots you need all the quality you can get.

Lastly, you seem to have managed to find the dullest, sickest looking ladybird I've seen for some time! If I saw that one in my garden I'd assume it was dead.......

There are plenty of beautiful bright red ones knocking around now that Spring is sort of arriving. Use one of them instead and that will make a big difference, especially if you can shoot it against a contrasting background like a green leaf or a flower.

Good luck and post some more when you have them.

I've had mine a couple of years so might have been the same time. I remember the price being stupidly low.

Judging by the comments I'll stick with it for now. I have a lot to learn anyway before needing anything more powerful.

Another one

[IMG]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp15/chriseast/ladybird3.jpg[/IMG]

Out again now the weather has improved with my M 50mm 1.7 and 50mm extension tube. More ladybirds, sorry - can't find much else moving yet and that which does is mostly too fast....

Just ordered a decently priced Vivitar 2X MC7 macro converter which might help with giving me a bit more distance, hopefully without losing too much quality. I'm almost poking their eyes out at the moment.

This was hand held with catch in focus and a complete fluke. Cropped in PSP and slightly sharpened.

[IMG]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp15/chriseast/ladybirds2.jpg[/IMG]

C & C welcomed

Thanks Geoff

I'll stick with PSP for now if the basic principles are the same - I'm hardly an advanced user! I might get PS Elements or Lightroom next time one of them is on offer.

Appreciate the help

Thanks John

I realise that I can't future proof entirely, but assume that if I use a certain program now then even with upgrades, the basic techniques will be the same. I just don't wnat to spend time learning techniques on PSP if the program itself isn't the best to use.

Hi

I have a copy of Corel PSP X2 which I have recently started to get to grips with mostly as a result of joing this forum and entering a few of the competitions.

Before I really start to spend time learning it I'd like opinions on whether it's worthwhile or whether I should get something else and learn that instead.

I don't want to spend hours and hours learning PSP only to find it's too limited in the future.

I've already noticed a few poor areas compared to other programs (I think). There is no vignette option - you can make one, but it's a bit convoluted and not entirely satisfactory (hence my lack of entry in the fortnightly competition so far). There isn't any form of auto background removal - all has to be done by hand and, once again I believe other programs will do the bulk for you.

These are just a couple of examples that have cropped up in the last few weeks, but it just makes me wonder if I'd be better off changing before I spend any more time on it?

If not what's my best bet for future proofing?

Adaptor received safely and in first class condition. Thanks