Focus bracketing on Canon R6 - starting point

th_jk_wg wrote:

Hello all,

I am learning to use the automatic focus bracketing on my Canon R6. With some learning curve I'm getting some nice stacked images and getting better at Helicon.

Question: when I set the starting focus point it's almost impossible to tell what is the closest point in the image to the camera. I am using it in the field with complex views of plants/fungi. So even with a stack I keep missing one tiny bit that was closer to the camera so isn't in focus.

Is this a common thing? I was thinking of placing something in the field of view that I can remove later that acts as a front marker. What do you think?

I wish there was a way on the R6 to focus bracket through the entire range of focusing of the lens.

Btw I'm using the Canon RF 100mm f2.8L macro.

thank you

It takes a bit of practise, you'll get there. I generally front focus until nothing is in focus and then set it to rack further than I need, you can always throw slices away later but you can't go back in time and get them so always over shoot when you do a stack.

Switching to MF and using focus peaking helps as well, then switch back to AF for the bracket (so the lens can be controlled by the camera)

th_jk_wg wrote:

Thank you, that's helpful. I start manually to see what comes into focus first, and then autofocus there so the camera can do its thing, but it keeps overriding me. I'll keep practicing and I think I might use something for the camera to focus on.

I really wish there was an automatic way to focus bracket the entire focus length!

You don't need to autofocus anything, you only need AF on so the camera can drive the lens.

Focus manually to a place just out of focus but in front of where you want your bracket to start, then you'll always have a slice that has the start of the object (unless your slices are too deep or not frequent enough.)

You just throw away those slices in later when you stack.

th_jk_wg wrote:

Thank you, that's helpful. I start manually to see what comes into focus first, and then autofocus there so the camera can do its thing, but it keeps overriding me. I'll keep practicing and I think I might use something for the camera to focus on.

I really wish there was an automatic way to focus bracket the entire focus length!

You need to set the camera for back button focus, so it doesn't re-focus when you start the bracket series.  I had the same issue on my M6ii until I figured that out.

I too use auto focus on the nearest point, using back button focus, then rack the lens a bit to start before that point.