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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Smooth rack focus macro shots

Steve DiMaggio

Steve DiMaggio

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Having a terrible time with macro shots and focus throws, really shaky, considering going all electronic. I have a nikon mount, any tips or lens choices anyone has had luck with? Has to be fast set up. I do have foolcontrol

steve
 
I have done a lot of rack focusing with success on the macro (macro focusing) on the Canon 100L.

I find that it certainly takes practice to rack focus in macro but with the 100L its definitely doable repeatedly. I also think it matches in IQ with some higher end glass to you can use it on pretty much any project that requires macro.

There is some breathing with it though, however, its slight.
 
I have a leica r 60mm, love the quallity, I just get the shakes using it manually, even with a nice follow focus

steve
 
Why not get further away with a longer lens that's stabilized like the 70-200? The IS should take the shakes away...
 
How is the action on your Leica? They can vary quite a lot in force needed and rotational smoothness. If it is not smooth you may want to send it in for a cleaning. The nearly 360-degree throw on that 60 lens does not help with racks either.
 
yeah it is pretty smooth, I think I need to up my support game too

steve
 
Steve DiMaggio said:
yeah it is pretty smooth, I think I need to up my support game too

steve
Click to expand...

Yeah definitely. with macro rack focus you want a nice sturdy tripod. What are you using now?
 
I do have a 60mm nikon macro, not sure if it has a motor, I am not opposed to spending a couple thousand on one, I just want to make Im not just tossing money at a problem with no results. I think a better base is a good start for sure

steve
 
Take this for what it's worth.

When you're about to do a rack on something very small - instead of breathing in and holding your breath, first take a breath, then exhale, hold and pull.

-Zen and the Art of Camera Operating
 
yeah alot of my issues is nerves I think

steve
 
I have both the Nikon 60 Macro and the Leica-R 60 Macro. It SEEMS to me that the Nikon mount does NOT electronically control the Nikon 60mm. No profile and therefore not controllable via FoolControl. :(
Steve, do you have the 1:1 adapter on your Leica-R 60mm?
 
no, I have a hard mount leitax nikon mount I put on, the lens itself has always felt a little "loose" so to say

steve
 
I'm a few months late to this discussion, but one thing I have found helpful with stills lens macro shots is to 'rack' focus by shooting handheld or on a slider and doing a subtle push-in or pull-out without touching the focus ring on lens. If going handheld, cradle the camera with one hand under the lens and brace that elbow into your gut. Use your opposite hand to stabilize and make small framing adjustments. Do the 'dolly' move by bending you knees with feet apart and shifting your weight from one leg to the other. Since it's a small move, it should be quite stable and fast to shoot. If you are worried about nailing focus, set your focus before rolling and pull-out to go out of focus. Then reverse the shot in post.

It's not quite the same thing as a real rack focus shot, but it can be easier to pull off and still look quite good.
 
its funny you say that, I ditched my actual follow focus and now just go by hand, so much smoother for me

steve
 
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