Close up / Macro Photography

[Jon]

Just thought I would mention something. I have always done close up shots with the lens on manual and moved the camera backward and forwards to get sharp focus. I have an EOS 20D and the old fashioned 100mm canon macro - not USM. I did some shots today of hoverflies using the AI servo mode, guess what everyone is in focus.
It's worth a try, I was really amazed. Jon

[Fourwings]

The AI servo mode is a great feature of the 20D and will compensate for small amounts of movement during macro photography, it's also awesome for taking in-flight images of birds.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Fourwings

The AI servo mode is a great feature of the 20D and will compensate for small amounts of movement during macro photography, it's also awesome for taking in-flight images of birds.

I don't think I've taken mine off AI Servo mode yet....

[digi]

Originally Posted by Jon

Just thought I would mention something. I have always done close up shots with the lens on manual and moved the camera backward and forwards to get sharp focus. I have an EOS 20D and the old fashioned 100mm canon macro - not USM. I did some shots today of hoverflies using the AI servo mode, guess what everyone is in focus.
It's worth a try, I was really amazed. Jon

I have been trying to tell people that for months, but what do I know

[eeyore]

Completely different, but on the same subject, has anyone else seen the do it yourself macro lens/extension tube on the photocritic website. It looks really cool, basically using a body cap, a piece of black pvc pipe and an old 50mm MF lens mounted backwards in the tube, you can get about 6x life size. I'm a bit concerned about the potential for getting grot on the sensor but I have a cunning plan involving a skylight filter to dust proof the set up. I'm building one this weekend so I will let you know how it goes...

[nightshade]

EEyore,take a look at my post 28:12:2005 05:15pm make your own ringflash,then you will have a complete set!

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by digi

I have been trying to tell people that for months, but what do I know

I took notice of what you said sir, and excellent advice it was to.

[pxl8]

Out of interest I tried today with the 30D but found it harder than the gentle rocking technique I usually use. The AF did do a great job of tracking the subject and the shots were in focus but, and IMO it's a big but, I lost control over the exact focal plane and when you're dealing with a DoF of only a couple of mm that's not so good.

But the focus screen on the 30D is a massive improvement over the 300D and has cut manual focus times in half at least. It will be interesting to see how the AF servo copes with hoverflies in flight come the summer.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Fourwings

I took notice of what you said sir, and excellent advice it was to.

Me as well.....

[Jon]

You will be able to get the hoverflies in flight, I have done it, the trick is to get them in flight with a decent background! Jon