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Learn To Use A Canon Rebel T3i For Macro Photography

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It's Time To Break Up With Your "Auto Mode" Button

Are you ready to try macro photography?

I know it's scary, but you have to move your Mode Dial off Auto.

If you are a "normal" Canon Rebel photographer, you have taken about 100% of your pictures on Auto. If that is the case, you need to step out of your comfort zone and MOVE THAT DIAL. Don't think about it, just do it now. You can thank me later (he, he, he).


Many photographers (yours truly included) find themselves drawn into macro photography, and it may even have happened totally by chance.

But once you discover the surprising details of nature revealed by your digital SLR, you, too, may be hooked.

Some cameras are better suited for taking those close-up shots than others, and the Canon EOS Rebel T3i is one of those that is tailor-made for the job of macro photography.

To be sure, macro is not just shooting bugs and flowers, although nature is a great place to go for some surprising results. The results will be surprising simply because you don't normally examine the intricacies of a flower stamen or the detail of a zipper with a magnifying glass very often. So when you get up close and personal with those things, you see detail that usually goes unnoticed.

If you are new to macro photography, and also the owner of a Canon Rebel T3i (you can't do this with a Canon Rebel T3 or even the 60D), this article is for you.

What about YOU?

Do you own (and use) a macro lens?

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Yes, close-up shots are amazing!

mel-kav says:

Definitely! I love taking close-up shots. I did a lens with pictures of butterflies and other insects in my backyard. I was really surprised how well they turned out.

elsahc says:

Yes, I love the macro view.

Gala98 says:

yup, I went digital in the first place because of the macro function on my ancient little 2Mp point&shoot camera. Love macro work of all kinds

BLemley says:

Yes!

Mickie_G says:

I have used a macro lens and love the way it works.

Nope, but I would love to have (which one?).

AnnaleeBlysse says:

Not yet ... but I bought myself the Rebel just a few weeks back.

Squidoo_Chick says:

But it is going to be my next lens. I just cant decide between a 50mm and 100mm

 

The Set-up For Macro Shots With A Rebel T3i

What you will need:

Canon Rebel T3i Macro Shot
  1. A Canon Rebel T3i (totally essential for THIS method)
  2. Tripod (not absolutely essential, but highly recommended)
  3. Macro Lens (again, not an essential, but once you get started with macro photography, this will be at the top of your "want" list)

So, the only thing that is required is the Canon Rebel T3i. That makes it pretty simple.


You can use a stable object in place of the tripod, such as a box or even the ground, and you could possibly brace your camera against a tree. It's just easier to position a tripod.

The macro lens is also not the most important piece of equipment in this method either. If you don't own one and can't afford a good one, you can get a really inexpensive set of Fotodiox Macro Extension Tubes that will transform any lens into a macro lens (see below for a link on Amazon for these extension tubes).

Macro Photography Lenses

These lenses will give you fantastic results!
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Taking The Shot

Canon Rebel T3i Live View

The photo above shows the camera LCD in Live View. The arrow is pointing to the button that will enable Live View when you are ready to compose the shot.


Getting the shot is fairly simple. It will work much better if you can secure the camera on a tripod or some other stable surface.

*** The key to getting the very best focus is to set your lens on Manual Focus. ***

Set the camera in position and use the lens focus ring to get the best focus you can. Then use the digital zoom button (see photo on the right) to zoom in by 5x and fine-tune the focus. If necessary, you can even go another step to zoom in to 10x.

IMPORTANT - The photo that you take will not be what you see in the 5x or 10x window. It will be the photo in the "unzoomed" window. The digital zoom is there simply to get the focus spot-on.

You can see this process in action in the video below.

Canon Rebel T3i Macro Photography Technique

A picture is worth a thousand words. The video shows exactly how to take some great macro images with your Canon Rebel T3i.
powered by Youtube

Macro Photography Cheats

Great shots WITHOUT a Macro Lens

There are a couple of ways to get around buying an expensive macro lens. But don't just get a cheap macro lens. That will not satisfy your craving for excellent images. Definitely wait until you can afford a good quality lens.

The best method to get those great macro shots without a dedicated macro lens is to purchase some very inexpensive extension tubes (see photo and links below). Extension tubes let you move your camera closer to the subject than is normally possible. There are a few manufacturers that produce these tubes that are technologically advanced enough to allow the camera to auto-focus. But, remember, with the method described in this article, you will be using manual focus. So you can save a bundle by getting extension tubes made by Fotodiox... less than $15. (Just in case you didn't pick up on it in the previous sentence, Fotodiox tubes do NOT allow the camera lens to auto-focus.)


canon rebel t3i macro filters

One other really cheap way to convert your non-macro lens into a close-up shooter is with filters that attach to the front of the lens. If you decide on this option, make sure you get the right size for the lens you will be shooting with, because each lens has its own thread size. For instance, the kit lens uses a 58mm filter.

Cheats For Your Canon Rebel T3i

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More Canon Rebel T3i Photography Tips

Join us to Learn about Canon T3i photography. The Rebel community is growing with enthusiastic new photographers getting on board every day.


Never has there been a better time to be a digital photographer than now.

Mushrooms - up close and personal

Repurposed Canon Rebel T3i

Buying used equipment sometimes can get you what you want for lots less than retail.
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Alternatives To Normal Macro Photography

Not every shot has to be of bugs or flowers. Look for "normal" stuff that you wouldn't normally look at with a magnifying glass.

Would Love To Hear What You Think...

  • mel-kav Apr 1, 2012 @ 7:05 pm | delete
    Great lens and photos!
  • CarlittoDunaway Mar 21, 2012 @ 6:05 am | delete
    I am wondering if older camera can be used as well. I have European model of EOS 400D I am learning to use.
  • thewayeyeseeit Mar 21, 2012 @ 5:21 pm | delete
    If you are asking whether you can take macro shots with a 400D, the answer is YES. However, the method I described in this article uses the digital zoom feature on the newest Canon Rebel T3i.. this is the first Rebel to have the digital zoom feature when shooting while you are using Live View (the Rebel 400D does not have Live View either).
  • gonzalezdenise Mar 19, 2012 @ 10:26 am | delete
    Thanks for the great information.
  • awelldressedbullet Mar 17, 2012 @ 9:37 pm | delete
    Ok, busted, I always use the auto setting lol

    Great info, love your pictures, and leaving a wee bit of Squidoo Angel dust
  • mamabush Mar 14, 2012 @ 8:20 pm | delete
    Ha! I love your first line: "I know it's scary, but you have to move your Mode Dial off Auto."...I don't have a camera this nice, but my little digital has NEVER been changed from Auto Mode! :) Very nice lens...gorgeous pictures!
  • KarenCookieJar Mar 14, 2012 @ 5:19 pm | delete
    I love macro photography, I need to pick up a better macro lens.
  • Susan52 Mar 14, 2012 @ 10:46 am | delete
    Gorgeous illustrations and instructions!
  • alwaysjules Mar 13, 2012 @ 9:10 pm | delete
    Very useful lens for peopel wanting to leasrn macrophotography. Great example photos. Blessed.
  • RiosambaGallery Mar 12, 2012 @ 12:41 am | delete
    I love macro photography, I have digital Canon and the analog, My analog macro is getting a little rusty too much use I suppose. Yes, I still sometime take macro with film. Enjoy reading your lens.
  • Squidoo_Chick Mar 6, 2012 @ 3:40 am | delete
    I get pretty good shots with my 70 - 200mm and want a Macro lens and have been considers extenders so thanks for the info
  • Squidoo_Chick Mar 6, 2012 @ 3:40 am | delete
    I get pretty good shots with my 70 - 200mm and want a Macro lens and have been considers extenders so thanks for the info
  • thewayeyeseeit Mar 6, 2012 @ 5:54 am | delete
    Extension tubes are a good way to make any lens a macro lens. And they are much cheaper than a new lens, especially if you plan to use manual focus.
  • flicker Mar 5, 2012 @ 11:51 pm | delete
    Love your photos, especially "Linton Rose with morning dew." Very nice!
  • thewayeyeseeit Mar 6, 2012 @ 5:56 am | delete
    Thank you Flicker. Coming from someone who is also a Lover of Nature Photography, I really appreciate your comment.
  • BLemley Mar 5, 2012 @ 11:45 pm | delete
    Lovely macro shots! Love the wooden truck ~ it looks full size! That's cool! B : )
  • BLemley Mar 5, 2012 @ 11:45 pm | delete
    Lovely macro shots! Love the wooden truck ~ it looks full size! That's cool! B : )
  • thewayeyeseeit Mar 6, 2012 @ 5:58 am | delete
    Thanks BLemley! Yes, that wooden truck was a fun shot. I bought it at Hobby Lobby just to take a picture :-)
  • ItayasDesigns Mar 5, 2012 @ 10:25 pm | delete
    Wonderful info and very lovely photos. I love macro photography!
  • thewayeyeseeit Mar 5, 2012 @ 10:32 pm | delete
    Thank you ItayasDesigns. Whenever I write an article like this I appreciate the photography even more.
  • Einar_A Mar 5, 2012 @ 9:42 pm | delete
    Interesting information. I love you work, especially the photo of the ice crystals on the leaves!
  • thewayeyeseeit Mar 5, 2012 @ 10:17 pm | delete
    Thanks so much Einar_G. The thing about macro that I love is that when you take those kind of pictures (Ice crystals for instance), you see the amazing detail only AFTER you take the photo and put it on your computer. So many OMG moments.
Show All

Close-up Shots With A Canon Rebel T3i

A Few Of My Favorite Macro Shots Using This Technique

Linton Rose with morning dew

Linton Rose with morning dew

Linton Rose with morning dew
Swiss Army Knife - about 3" long
Purple flox
Ice crystals on rose leaf
Inside a Linton Rose
Wooden toy truck
Cuff links - product shot

by

thewayeyeseeit

Photography is one of my passions.

A natural by-product of photography is post processing my photos. I use Photoshop CS4, along with the Adobe CS4... more »

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