Focusing in macro photography

john isaacs wrote:

Gilbert1 wrote:

john isaacs wrote:

Gilbert1 wrote:

1) About focus peaking: I already was wondering why it didn't work when I tried to turn it on. But what do you mean by 'high image magnification'?

On the back of the camera, there are two buttons with a magnifying glass and + or - symbol; the one with the + magnifies (zooms) the image each time you press it, and the one with the - takes it back (long holding it takes it back to normal). High image magnification is where the image is magnified (zoomed) with several presses of the magnify (zoom) button.

The zoom factors are 3x, 6x, and 12x. Focus peaking works at 3x, but I don't see any focus peaking beyond that.

2) What a good advice, so first (small point) AF and then switching to MF. But I do notice that in macro photography he is often 'hunting' to find the right focus. But maybe you have a solution for this?

Hunting often means that the lens is too close or there isn't enough light, or the subject isn't good for AF. Use a larger AF area.

3) Which AF settings exactly have you assigned to Fn1?

There are two settings you want to use. First, set f6 "Release Button to use Dial" to ON. This way, you don't have to hold the button down while rotating a control dial; press once to activate the function, again to deactivate it. I find that very useful for functions that use the rear control dial. Then, assign AF/[+] "Focus mode/AF-Area mode" to Fn1 in fn2 "Custom Controls". When pressed, the front control dial will select AF-Area mode, and the rear control dial will select AF mode.

4) Hoodman DR-6: Seems me very useful, but I see that it is not a cheap solution. What do you mean by 'but I can adjust the adapter so I don't need them to look through it'? Do you use it yourself often? I do use the Hoodman Hoodeye for the viewfinder, very handy!

I mean I don't need my glasses because both the Hoodman Loupe and the DR-6 have focus adjustments. I prefer the DR-6 on the Nikons because I don't have to hold it in place. I use the Hoodman Compact HoodLoupe on cameras with flip out LCDs because I have a strap that I use to attach it to the LCD, which lets me vary the angle.

There are cheaper alternatives to either. You can get a compatible right angle viewfinder that works just as well as the Nikon. There are also a lot of loupes as well; avoid the ones that aren't black, as they will color everything in strong light.

Thanks again John.

It took me a while to figure out (also because of the language) how to assign it to the Fn2 button, but I finally got it done. It does indeed work well and let's take a look in practice.