Smooth rack focus macro shots

[Ben Scott]

I had the Leica R Macro and had issues at the start that were caused by bad mounts with a touch of play in them

 

[Paramon Ivanovich]

For weddings i have couple Canons 1DXmkII, 100L - touchscreen focus rack - perfect every time, and no need for FF;
i can't get the same smoothness focusing by hand with the heaviest tripods i tried, with IS lens touch screen focus rack works even on monopod;

 

[Steve DiMaggio]

yeah I might need to invest in an electronic nikon mount, I have one now but it doesnt have a motor, any reccomendations?

steve

 

[Björn Benckert]

Macro and focus pulling is a difficult one if you don't have the right tools. Simply its shit difficult even with a super expansive PL Zeiss super macro together with even the best of motors. Trying to do it nicely with a still lens is maybe possible but if it´s crucial to get things right I would rent a real setup for it.

 

[Ryan Forte]

I've done a ton of table top macro food and jewelry for regional and national commercials. The most bare bones you can afford to do and still get the shots you need.

Zeiss 50mm or 100mm CF Macro CP.2's preferably with PL mounts for stability if you can. If you are doing a setup on sticks. Rent a heavy duty O'Connor, Cartoni or Sachtler Tripod (it has to be well balenced on sticks.) Also make sure you're on a Baseplate with 15mm rods including a Lens support!

Then for the focus racks rent a wireless follow focus system preferably a system with Heden Motors, but if you can only get a Redrock try to make it work. Then use the expanded focus function on the handset to make the Macro section of focus set to use the full rotation of the handset and if everything is tight balanced and secure racks will be nice steady and smooth!

 

[Steve DiMaggio]

none of that is practical for me, but I am getting much smoother throughs now with the Red mount and hand focusing, these are very fast throws, not slow stuff, anyways thanks guys

steve

 

[Ryan Forte]

Have you ever seen how fast Heden Motors can focus a lens? way way way faster then a human hand...

I can locally rent zeiss CP.2's for $80 piece and you'll be able to rent a good wireless ft for around $200.

Give it a try some time you won't be disappointed!