Jostein wrote:
Toralf,
I think I've missed both your original posts, so I'll have to answer
you on general basis about AF in my macro shots.
Sorry if I'm repeating stuff from the other thread.
I don't think you are...
That other thread was mainly about how different macro lenses compare to
each other, and what to choose if I decide to get a replacement for the
macro focusing teleconverter setup...
And my answer is... It depends. :-)
Isn't that a helpful and lovely answer...
Right ;-/
I'll elaborate...
It depends a lot on your shooting style and your choice of motifs.
When working with eg. flowers or other stationary objects, a tripod
and manual focus is my way of choice. Simply to have full control
since time allows it.
When shooting more mobile motifs like insects, hand held is the way to
go for me.
I've tried shooting flowers and insects. Insects are probably more fun,
but also the most difficult to get good pictures of... Perhaps I might
have asked a more fundamental question, like "how do I explain to a
bumblebee that it's supposed to sit still when I'm going to take its
picture?" or "how do I predict where it's going to fly next?"
I sometimes use AF with my FA100/2.8 macro. The bee shot I posted a
week ago is one example where it worked well. However, AF is even more
useful with manual focus lenses when it comes to macro. Because of the
snap-in focus feature, you can sneak up on your "prey" with the
shutterbutton depressed and get a well focused shot on first approach.
So you just adjust the focus according to the desired magnification,
then move the camera towards the subject and press the button when the
in-focus indicator pops up? Yes, that sounds like a good idea. I guess
I've tried a similar technique when playing around with the
teleconverter setup, but I've mostly used a manual body and relied on
the split-image screen...
The A series lenses are great for that. Especially the A*200/4 macro
if you can get hold of one.
Hmmm... Sounds expensive...
If you go for higher magnifications than 1X, then AF is almost out of
the question. However, I've had some good experiences with the said A*
macro and the AF1.7TC teleconverter. The autofocus you get from the
converter is very limited, but handy for fine tuning. Effectively,
this combo (or with the FA100/2.8 macro) gives you 1.7X, which is very
decent for an autofocus solution. The AF TCs from Tamron and Sigma may
work with the FA100 as well, but I've never tried them. I would
suspect it produce a bit of "hunting" to establish focus.
For higher magnifications, there are no AF solutions, AFAIK. In strong
light, however, the snap-in focus functionality continues to work with
all kinds of lens combinations, including stacked lenses. It even
works with a reversed 50mm on a bellows if you don't stop down beyond
5.6.
OK. Thanks.
- Toralf
