Did I accidentally realize a fundamental of macro shooting?

[brecklundin]

Just wondering if I blindly stumbled into a an important technique when shooting macro's. It just seems it's best to set the magnification you want then move the camera until the subject or portion of the subject you want is in focus and filling the frame to the desired degree?

Or does it really matter which comes first the cart or the horse? As in as long as the image fills the sensor in the way you want the magnification ratio is not as important?

Have I gotten it right, I am not certain I wrote it out correctly but maybe someone might be able to s'plain it to me. ???

[macro junkie]

Just wondering if I blindly stumbled into a an important technique when shooting macro's. It just seems it's best to set the magnification you want then move the camera until the subject or portion of the subject you want is in focus and filling the frame to the desired degree?

. ???
i do the same but i dont set the mag 1st.i do that while im focus on the insect.this way i know how much mag i need with out having to guees.(MPE-65)

[troypiggo]

Think you're on the right track. That's pretty much what I do. And with the MP-E 65 it's pretty much the only thing you can do.

Set the focus/mag, move in til you're in focus and have the DoF you want. Click. :)

[brecklundin]

thanks to ya both...helps me to know I 'm somewhat on the right track. :D

[gasrocks]

Are you talking about focusing with your body? Yes, a good technique for getting a certain magnification. Example: I want the max. I can get with the 100mm macro - crank out the lens to 1:1 and then focus with your body (tripod, monopod, whatever.)

[brecklundin]

gasrocks:

Yeah...that is what I was fumbling around trying to explain. I find myself doing it exactly as you describe. I haven't done any outside shooting just yet but am seeing why the more experienced shooters here always talk about a tripod not being as flexible as one would need yet this method works great.

I guess it is sort of like pre-focusing but with the twist of magnification being a, excuse the pun, fuzzy variation of the idea of focusing. The problem I had getting my head around was thinking that lenses being used in a macro way (or dedicated macro lenses) seem to give better results once you get the concept of magnification vs. focus.

One thing for me is I can tell getting ourdoor shots is gonna require a monopod or LordV's "stealth bean pole" method to stabilize the camera. I am just too "bouncy" so far unless I can get a really high shutter speed.

Soon as I get this technique down I can see where learning to use one of the stacking apps will yield some fun results. Of course so will eventually adding the MP-E 65mm. Which I have added to my BD prezzie list for the better half...I sure better not forget her BD this year, huh? hehehehehe...but I promised her a new laptop for her BD.

Anyway, as you can see I digress a lot on a thread. Why not it's like sitting around talking shop with your co-workers, sometimes not talking shop leads to the real solutions.

Well, soon as the afternoon meds kick in I am off to get some shots...and thaks for explaining exactly what I was trying to express in my OP. http://brecklundin.com/tmp/bow.gif