The one photo is made up of strips from the the 7 I took, the aperture decreasing from left to right...

Thanks Pete. Think I might even print this off and laminate it on a small card as a quick reference.

Hi again ... a few comments on tripods and flashes.

What works best in tripods (for me anyway) is one without a center column and that has a low minimum height with the legs collapsed. One where the legs splay out allowing you to get just a few inches above the ground is helpful as well. I find that most of my macro shots are low to the ground with me actually sitting or laying on the ground. Of course, 95% of my shots are nature.

For a flash, those expensive dedicated ring flashes are not required. A good reflector can do a lot or a regular flash (sometimes mounted off camera with a bracket) can frequently add a bit of light without harsh shadows (use a diffuser - thin paper works).

You don't have to get the equipment that allows to to get every shot. It's OK to miss a shot now and then.

On depth of field - don't forget that DOF works as a percentage (sort of) of distance from the subject. With a 50mm lens at f/4 and 1 foot you may have a DOF of under 1/16 inch. But at f/4 and 10 feet that becomes 2 feet.

An online DOF calculator is at: http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

The wonders of the web. Great link. :)

Don

I don't think that trying to show DOF at various apertures worked very well using the CD cover, so I've given it another go - hopefully this one will make it a bit clearer. All taken using my EOS350D and a Sigma 105 macro, at a distance of approx 9 inches - then peeled, chopped and mashed together...

Just my twopennies worth, I've been shooting macro for many years. I now use the Canon 100mm & Sigma 180mm, for illumination I use a lastolite softbox attached to my Sigma flash gun. Would love the Canon twin light macro flash, but find it to be a little to expensive.

As for tripods I kicked the Benbo Trekker into touch, it's a very versatile tripod but a bit of a pig to set up. I recently purchased a Giottos Innovator Tripod MT 9170 which I find to be far superior to the Benbo and equally as versatile + it's also perfect for my canon 10D with the Bigma attached.

I know a guy who uses tin-foil as a reflector for lots of his macro work, mainly plants/toadstools. Anyone else tried this technique?

Im also looking for a tripod that hugs close to the ground for low angle and macro shots.

Good work on the DOF image example, Pete.

The Giottos will do this for you. the center column is removable, which then exposes a three way head into which you re-insert the center column. Then with the legs being adjustable to three different positions allowing close proximity to the ground. Have a look here, where you can see all the various positions obtainable with this tripod
http://www.giottos.com/eng_public/frameset.htm.

I use the Innovator Tripod MT 9170, you can also buy a similar one made from carbon fibre

Thanks for the link wolfie; not sure if its me, but im not seeing the Innovator MT9170. I'll keep trying :)