Please translate (Lord Vetinari)

NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
edited June 21, 2010 in Holy Macro
Lord Vetinari says, in one of the very fine tutorial stickies,

"I preset the focus at the required magnification level"

and I just can't crack this bit of code!:D

Any help, please?

Neil
"Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

http://www.behance.net/brosepix

Comments

  • basfltbasflt Registered Users Posts: 1,882 Major grins
    edited June 20, 2010
    use manual focus , not auto
    set focus ring to 1:1 or so [ magnification level ]
    move camera forward until subject is in focus
    Bas

    /ɯoɔ˙ƃnɯƃnɯs˙ʇlɟsɐq//:dʇʇɥ
  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited June 20, 2010
    NeilL wrote: »
    Lord Vetinari says, in one of the very fine tutorial stickies,

    "I preset the focus at the required magnification level"

    and I just can't crack this bit of code!:D

    Any help, please?

    Neil

    Well I view the focus control on macro lenses as a magnification control. ie how close you can focus and hence how magnified the image will be. On many macro lenses the magnification is indicated on the barrel.
    So I look at the bug size decide on the magnification I want to shoot at, change the focus on the lens to give me that magnification and then move in on the bug :). As mentioned above - this is obviously with MF set on the lens.
    This has one other advantage - fiddling around with the camera (ie focus ring) when close to a bug is a good way of scaring them off.

    Brian V.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
    http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
  • NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
    edited June 20, 2010
    basflt wrote: »
    use manual focus , not auto
    set focus ring to 1:1 or so [ magnification level ]
    move camera forward until subject is in focus

    Ah-ha!

    Thanks

    Neil
    "Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

    http://www.behance.net/brosepix
  • NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
    edited June 20, 2010
    Lord Vetinari wrote: »
    Well I view the focus control on macro lenses as a magnification control. ie how close you can focus and hence how magnified the image will be. On many macro lenses the magnification is indicated on the barrel.
    So I look at the bug size decide on the magnification I want to shoot at, change the focus on the lens to give me that magnification and then move in on the bug :). As mentioned above - this is obviously with MF set on the lens.
    This has one other advantage - fiddling around with the camera (ie focus ring) when close to a bug is a good way of scaring them off.

    Brian V.

    Ah-ha! Again. Like a magnifying glass, right?

    I was mentally working from the starting point of composition, which I guess is the usual one in other contexts. Using a tripod, framing the subject, focusing. Yes, for bugs, where you want max mag, I can see the merit, of course. I'm troubled a bit, tho, because seems to me it is most practicable hand held, with those perils, and when you don't want to do focus stacking.

    Appreciate the clarification!:D

    Neil
    "Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

    http://www.behance.net/brosepix
  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited June 21, 2010
    NeilL wrote: »
    Ah-ha! Again. Like a magnifying glass, right?

    I was mentally working from the starting point of composition, which I guess is the usual one in other contexts. Using a tripod, framing the subject, focusing. Yes, for bugs, where you want max mag, I can see the merit, of course. I'm troubled a bit, tho, because seems to me it is most practicable hand held, with those perils, and when you don't want to do focus stacking.

    Appreciate the clarification!:D

    Neil

    I do my macro shooting handheld or using a bean pole for support :)
    Brian v.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
    http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
  • NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
    edited June 21, 2010
    Lord Vetinari wrote: »
    I do my macro shooting handheld or using a bean pole for support :)
    Brian v.

    Why am I thinking of Tarzan! mwink.gifDrolleyes1.gif

    Neil
    "Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

    http://www.behance.net/brosepix
  • basfltbasflt Registered Users Posts: 1,882 Major grins
    edited June 21, 2010
    ^^^^
    a tripod is extremely useful , for subjects that sit still [ flowers etc. ]

    but ,
    an insect is not going to sit there and wait for you to setup your equipment
    thats the only reason why handheld is preferred , IMO
    Bas

    /ɯoɔ˙ƃnɯƃnɯs˙ʇlɟsɐq//:dʇʇɥ
Sign In or Register to comment.