50mm Macro Landscape Photography

Landscape photography with no filters, no zoom lenses, no telephotos or wide angles… just a simple 50mm macro lens from Minolta, 1993. I hiked under a beautiful forest canopy to capture a flowing creek and early autumn leaves. My spirits (and camera bag!) were light! What a beautiful day.
Join me as I talk camera settings when using a prime 50mm macro lens. I discuss depth of field, stability and composition and show as I capture images at the Red Hill Trail and Creek.
Camera Gear:
Sony a99ii - camera
Konica Minolta AF Macro 50mm f/2.8 - lens
Manfrotto 190go! - tripod
Canon M50 - vlogging camera
Zhiyun Crane 2 - gimbal
Music:
Out of the Skies, Under the Earth by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommon...)
Source: chriszabriskie....
Artist: chriszabriskie....
Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommon...)
Source: incompetech.com...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Not Without the Rest by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommon...)
Artist: www.twinmusicom...

[@Rabe1907]

The 50 mm macro is the best allrounder ever ! I love it !😍

[@landapalmer7671]

Thank you for this! I just bought a macro lens and feel like I am starting all over again. I am excited to try and see what I can find!

[@RachelLerch]

That's awesome Landa!! I love macro! You must be excited!

[@jimhamilton8775]

Fantastic video as always Rachel. You produced some wonderful images to be proud off.

[@RachelLerch]

Thank you Jim. That is so sweet and encouraging 😊

[@dwelker3778]

You are correct when you say there is nothing like a walk in the woods. I heard once that a "forest shower" is something that all of us gain from. It seems that just being out in the woods renews your soul. Thanks for sharing your beautiful images and experience.

[@RachelLerch]

I would have to agree with that wholeheartedly. It really is therapeutic and just lovely

[@alanm.1368]

Some great images there Rachel, you have made me want to go out myself now. Thanks

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks Alan! Go for it! 😄👍

[@bobrobosborne6849]

Thoroughly enjoyed this! My favorite time of year to be hiking and taking photos. Especially the leaves as they are changing colors. You got some fabulous photos!

[@RachelLerch]

My favourite time of year too! It’s so refreshing and beautiful. There’s something about the smell of the leaves and the crisp air, not to mention the colours!

[@yujinlandscapephotography.7787]

Excellent images always to see, Thank! Rachel.

[@RachelLerch]

Thank you! 😊

[@jeanfreitas3677]

Extraordinary Work. Congratultions. I'm a big fan.

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks Jean!!

[@clivejepsen4078]

A great challenge. Good result. Have a nice day.

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks Clive! You too!

[@NickSmithPhotography]

such a lovely location and great images to go with it. going from strength to strength rachel. great vlog. :)

[@RachelLerch]

Thank you so much Nick. That’s so nice 😊

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Top work Rachel love the leaf in the water well spotted and executed in my day job I'm constantly changing lenses so for my vids I mainly use one fixed lens camera helps me to really work at a scene I love the one lens concept your vid shows just why 👍🏼

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks!! I can tell you really know what you’re doing... you’re videos are always great. 👍. It was fun shooting with just one lens.

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Rachel Lerch 50mm is a babe of a lens cheers mate 👍🏼

[@MarkKellyPhotographyUK]

Brilliant video with stunning images, this is my favourite time of year for photography coming up, autumn/fall. Great challenge with the 50mm, shame I don’t have a macro lens but could be worth a day out all the same👍 Keep inspiring us Rachel, love your content 🧢📷

[@RachelLerch]

Thank you so much Mark! The lens I used was really inexpensive. It’s a Minolta from 1993. The nice thing about prime lenses is that you can get away with that... I do love my little 50mm. And I am in complete agreement with you!! Autumn is the absolute best! It’s so beautiful, fresh and inspiring!!

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

great idea i have never been able to take just one 50 mm out, maybe i have got to now... and for me the first couple images were wicked and i like the red leaf with the water

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks Paul! I have to admit it felt very strange at first. I was thinking “but what if I miss something?” 😄😄

[@yardsalepicasso9413]

You convinced me... buying the 50mm macro

[@GarrickGillettePhotography]

Loved the images...especially when you went really low. Digging the B roll Rachel! Ironically I have a brand new 50mm arriving today or tomorrow!

[@RachelLerch]

Oh that’s so exciting!! I love getting new gear :D. Is it a macro? Thanks Garrick!

[@TeddyWandererCamera-Bear]

That looked like such a lovely place to go wandering around. Your images were all great I really liked the ones on the stone in the stream. The same thing is happening here in the uk most trees are still very green but there are brown leaves on the ground! Thank you for sharing this lovely place with us all :D Teddy

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks Teddy!! Funny isn’t it? I wonder when the trees will turn... probably pretty soon around here.

[@TeddyWandererCamera-Bear]

Yes it is I do not understand how some are brown on the ground ? They normally turn on the trees first! It has been a strange year though so I guess that is why ? They normally go after the first frosty night here and at the moment we are getting warm winds. :D

[@RachelLerch]

Normally we’ll get quite some time with full colour unless a storm or wind comes through and blows all the leaves off the trees! Lol.

[@TeddyWandererCamera-Bear]

Lol the same here :)

[@martin9410]

Just discovered your videos and subscribed. Really enjoy your approach. I use the Sony a7riii, but do have an adapted Canon 50mm f2.8 macro that I like experimenting with. Look forward to checking out your other videos.

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks Martin! Nice to meet you!

[@TS-hq3dq]

Inspiring once again.

[@RachelLerch]

Thank you so much 😊 I’m glad you liked it

[@Artist1974CH]

Beautiful job!! :)

[@RachelLerch]

Aw thank you!!

[@bobswezey7452]

nice video, liked that red leaf image … :-))

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks Bob!!

[@stuartsilverman3797]

Stunning images, outstanding video👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@RachelLerch]

Thank you so much Stuart!! 😊😊😊

[@rueben68]

I absolutely love my Sigma 50mm Art, I use it a lot and am very happy with the outcome.

[@RachelLerch]

50mm is such a great lens!

[@DGriffGallery]

Absolutely fascinating as always, Rachel. And very thought provoking for my own photography - I can see my own vlogs blatantly ripping off some of your ideas! But I promise to credit you, of course, as I have other vloggers whose work has influenced mine! 😀

[@RachelLerch]

😄its all good... I’m glad we can be a community that inspires one another!! Thank you for the nice words 😊

[@markharris5771]

One of my cameras, my Zorki 4K, only has a 50mm Jupiter 8 lenses, and even though it’s my cheapest camera by some way it’s also my favourite. My Bronica ETRSi only had a 75mm, which converts to about 50mm, for a long time. All the images were excellent, but I think the first leaf in the water was my favourite with those strong autumnal colours against the water...or was it t the nut on the tree stump. A great video with the best attitudes and philosophy.

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks so much Mark! I think I'll have to go out again with just the 50mm. I really enjoyed it!

[@erichstocker4173]

That old Minolta lens did pretty good at f22. I would have expected to see more influence of defraction. Usually I like BW but on the leaf photo I liked the color better. Nice job throughout the video.

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks so much Erich!

[@johnanthonycolley3803]

Also try that " Nifty Fifty" in combination with a 2x teleconver.. ( it effectively becomes a 100mm macro ) 😊 Also if your lens has a 49mm filter tread, look out for the 1:1 " Macro " convertor optic .. Then you can get in really close 😉 Ps: the Minolta 20mm F2.8 ( thou NOT a macro ) is able to focus in really close. hence is able to take really nice Flower Head shots etc .. I use my Minolta 20mm F2.8 in conjunction with my Sony A100 ( where it behaves like a 30mm ) for " close in work " 😊

[@n.michaelh4726]

Very nice photos from an older Minolta lens. Can you tell me what bag you're using? I'm still looking my ideal bag. Thanks.

[@RachelLerch]

I’m using the Lowepro ProTactic 450 AW. Love it! Lots of room. Strong. Customizable and you can add attachments easily.

[@GilbertTV]

oh i love Autumn...

[@RachelLerch]

Me too!! 😊

[@GoGlamMakeup]

Best video

[@RachelLerch]

Aw thank you!!

[@payel7076]

nice video....

[@RachelLerch]

Thank you! 😊

[@payel7076]

@@RachelLerch i enjoy your all video ... good job sister

[@smkunder1]

Very nice, what are shooting your video with? It’s so crisp and clear.

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks! Using the Canon m50. Great little camera.

[@davidcoutts9070]

The Minolta 50 is likely a film camera lens, no? Is it manual everything (aperture and focus)? The images it rendered were pretty nice. I get the concept of the broad depth-of-field and you're right, for the most part; having the most things in focus is ideal. Having said that, my favourite was the acorn by itself with a shallow depth-of-field. It seems to accentuate the subject more and draws it out from the blurred background. I guess the beauty of digital technology is that you can try all the different variations and see which one works the best. Overall, as usual, Rachel, the challenge to work with a minimalist kit was intriguing and I am sure much easier to tote around when hiking.

[@RachelLerch]

Yes a film camera lens but auto everything... aperture and focus. You are right... I quite enjoy a shallow depth of field :) The acorn was kind of a neat subject that way! It was very very nice having a light backpack! 👍 And it was interesting to have to keep moving the camera instead of just zooming. Very cool! Thanks David! 😊

[@tomduncan3547]

Nice sequence. Good to have a focus and only one lens. I do that around the garden. Mobile phone is good as well. Did you try any focus stacking?

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks Tom. No focus stacking this time as I was in close but not so close that it was necessary. I did blend 3 images HDR-style for the forest image with the creek running through it. The highlights were really bright on the water and on some trees.

[@marthamoss2518]

Exciting and inspiring. I use a Zeiss Touit 2.8 macro lens as my main walking around lens. Besides macro, I love it for landscapes, portraits, and everything! Did you use any lighting in the woods? I usually need to bring along some lights...Especially if I want a low iso. Your photos were lovely!

[@marthamoss2518]

I forgot to say, it is also 50mm.

[@RachelLerch]

Thanks Martha! 😊 I had a small light with me but didn’t use it. The lighting under the canopy was nice and even and there was no wind so I was able to get 15 second exposures if needed. Your Zeus’s lens sounds great!!

[@CharlesLScofieldJr]

One of your videos I watched yesterday or over the weekend you mentioned your husband. He was fishing, hope he caught some fish. Anyway, my question does he assist you in taking video like when you are walking away from your camera? Or do you have someone else helping you? Whenever I'm out taking photos or video I'm always alone. So no selfies. I normally just concentrate trying to get my photos and not fall off of a mountain or fall in a water source. My wife has disabilities so she can't assist me. So just wondering? Since you were using a 50mm Macro lens in this video do you think a standard 50mm f1.8 lens could have the same results by adjusting your distance from the object you are photographing to achieve focus? Amazon wants like $399 for a Canon 50mm f2.5 Macro and since I already have a 50mm f1.8 I think I would be wasting money.

[@RachelLerch]

Hi Charles. How close can your lens focus? And what resolution (megapixels) is your camera? More megapixels can mean more detail and easier to crop. I would definitely try the lens you have before spending the money. My husband is usually around and yes loves fishing but I usually do the filming myself. I have a stand for my gimbal and just put it down on the ground.

[@fandangofandango2022]

Rachel Your a Bit of Fresh Air Darling.