Need macro crash course.

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[epatt250]

 Ok everyone seems to manual focus on macro stuff. Is AF not accurate enough or something? Manual focusing is gonna be next to impossible on the 40D w/o a split screen focus screen. I had one on my 20D but sold it b/c it wont work on the 40D.

 I have read alot about using live view to focus. I have never even had my camera in live view. How are all you macro pros doing it? Does everyone have a split screen for MF?

[sduford]

Yes manual focus is pretty much a necessity because DOF is so narrow. I do have a split focussing screen on my D200, but no live view. But even before I got my Katz Eye split focussing screen, I could focus quite well manually as the small DOF enabled me to easily see where the focus point was on my subject.

[darkvibe]

I actually set the lens focus ring so it focuses at the max working distance and then move the camera in and out to do the actual focusing.  I don't have a split screen, i focus fine with the regular one.

I use extension tubes so i don't know if the depth of field is the same on your lens.  I imagine it is.

[tirediron]

I need to invest in one of those katz-eye screens.  As far as focusing goes however, I use a focusing rail, setting the lens to the distance I want, and then moving the whole camera by means of the focusing rail to achieve the zone of focus I want.  Unless it's a very skittish insect or something like that, I find a bright penlight makes a great focusing aid.

[Mt-biker]

Hey Darkvibe, ^^

Do those extension tubes work well? Do you use them with a long or short focal length lens for your macro shots?

Also do you use them on a lens with a macro feature built in already?

Thanks!

[sduford]

The shorter the focal length, the more effective extension tubes are.

[darkvibe]

Yep.  I use them on my 50mm f1.8.  Never tried them on a longer lens since that combo gives me great results.  I've never used them on a lens that is already macro.

http://www.darkvibe.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1
all of those are w/ the 50mm 1.8 and various lengths of extension tubes.  All were taken with the camera on manual, f16-ish (exif data is in them, click the "i" icon in my gallery to view it) with the flash on ttl with FEC set to -1 stop or so.  Flash is mounted on a delta flash bracket and the flash had a stofen tupperware diffuser on it for all of them.

[sduford]

Just as a follow up to my earlier post, in theory, 50mm of extension on a 50mm lens gives you 1:1 magnification. On a 100mm lens, it would give you only 2:1 magnification.

[Mt-biker]

Awesome thanks for the info!! (I forgot I had posted this a month ago.) I just happen to have a Nikon 50mm 1.8 in my bag. I'll have to look into these tubes.

DarkVibe- That shot of the fly with red eyes is ridiculous.    I love it!