Sharpness problems

[TMG1961]

Hi everyone, I just got started with macro photography. Using a sony a6400 with laowa 100mm f/2.8 macro lens and a meike speedlight mk320. The biggest problem i have is getting sharp photos. I use focus peaking so that i can see what is in focus. I use aperture between f/8 and f/11. I added a photo, aperture was f/11 and the entire little plant was covered by the focus peaking colour. But to me the photo is not completely sharp. Am i doing something wrong?

 

[Jack]

Hello TMG1961 ,

there are some reason why the photo is not sharp, low light, you haven’t focused well on subject, using wring camera settings.

If you’d like the whole subject to be in focus, I would recommend to use focus stacking techniques, you can find tutorials on our Resources page.
I also recommend you to build own diffuser , there are some tutorials available for that as well.

I don’t own Laowa lens, but I believe is manual focus ?

MinitecaPhotographie Helix_2648 might add more regarding your question.

 

[Jack]

The laowa lens is complete manual. No auto focus. I am using a diffuser, but still learning how to use the speedlight correct. At the moment i just leave focus stacking to what it is. First need to learn the basics

Then you should use a tripod as well.

What I would recommend, is to set your camera on ISO priority, which means you set the ISO and the camera will choose for you the aperture and shutter speed. And see how it works. The Flashlight you can set on auto mode as well.

Does your flash has TTL ?

 

[Jack]

Better to fix ISO at low level....

That I forgot to mention, to set the ISO the low level, to avoid the picture to be overexposed.