100mm 2.8 Macro and focusing aids?

[Bsmooth]

Just getting into Macro and was wondering about your opinions on aids used for macro shots.I've seen the adorama focus rail setup,whats your opinion on this or do you have any other suggestion as far as focusing aids for flowers, insects etc.?

[mgash]

I have never used them, but they do look helpful. It gets tiring trying to move the tripod less than one inch to get the prpoer framing.

[britt777]

may look into extentions tubes

[steven]

If what you a shooting is stationary then a focusing rail is great.
But if you are talking moving insects then they are too slow to be usefull.
What I find myself doing is setting the focus to the magnification I want and then just moving the camera back and forth to get focus and shooting at the point I do.
Also if you have a 1 series camera the split screen focus screen is nice to have as well.

[Bsmooth]

Steven I wish my 20D had a split focus screen,matter of fact I don't see too many split screens used on DSLR's at all and I keep wondering why.I guess its because of the autofocus,but personally I always would like one anyways,just in case I need it.I'm afraid autofocus will never be a cure all as i'm sure most of you have found out.It would nice to leave the decision up to the photographer,but cameras now have become much more automated.I guess in a way I'm much more old school,growing up using my old faithful Pentax K-1000.That and that word old keep creeping in to my conversations.Maybe not quite as young would be a nicer way of connecting split screens and not being able to see quite as well?

[steven]

I am also in the age challenged point in life and it is one reason I like having a split focus screen.
But there are draw backs to it mainly in low light when one side of the split will become black.
So I guess that is one reason they don't have it on all DSLRs.

[Jon]

You won't find a split-image, or a microprism, focussing screen on most modern SLRs in general, not just DSLRs. They're mostly AF, and the manual focussing aid is of no particular benefit when you're auto-focussing. Screens with focussing aids are available for the "pro-level" cameras (EOS 1-series and EOS-3, for instance), but that's because the pros are more likely to want manual capabilities for some situations.

[Bsmooth]

Like I've said before and I'm sure will say again.Auto anything is great when it works the way we want it to.But like everything else,sometimes its nice to be able to have a choice.Sure would come in handy in Macro use,since autofocus doesn't always focus on what we would like it to.

There are a few of us mere "hobby I guess you might call it" photographers who might like it too.Its nice to know theres a few who would still like to see it anyway.
just like everything else its a follow the crowd type of thing when it comes to technology,one manufacturer gets rid of a certain feature and so follow all the rest .I guess I must be one of the very few amatuers who still also shoot in manual too.
Not anything against you Jon,your just stating those truths we just don't always want to hear.
By the way I found that Velbon also makes a focusing system too and for less than $100.00!

[raylks]

You may purchase a EC focusing screen for 1 series camera and then reduce it into the size of it as that found in 20D, or 300D. Then you will have a split screens on the DSLR.
I learnt that changing the focusing screen would not void the warranty too.