about Macro photography & focusing?

For you experts on this technique do you use AF or manual for best results?

What little I've done with my lens although not Macro but more close focusing and crops I've always come up with a mixed bag of results. It actually seemed that I got better results with my 30D than with my now 40D in this aspect with the same lens. However having the use of Live View + manual focusing really allows for super sharp results.

Using my 17-40 and 70-200 at close distances gives a mixed bag of results sometimes with the 40D (center AF point and no LV). While at the same time results with the 24-105 are better at close focusing or should I say minimum distances of the three lens.

Limitations of the 2 lens or the AF on the 40D? All three lens give accurate results with focus testing charts.

Makes me wonder what kinda results I'd get with the EF 100mm f/2.8 -

Now oddly enough get away from that closet focusing and the results prove much better.

usually manual focus, depending on what you are shooting. a monopod or tripod will help keep the razor thin DOF steady. assuming you are at high magnification. you will find that manually focusing and then slowly moving the camera forward or back is a great way to shoot at high mag.
i have the 100mmm macro and love its manual focus ring. would never trade this lens.

Thanks RD _ that makes since of the rail setups that some use.

Tsmith,
For a true macro photo using the Canon 100mm f/2.8 you really have to use manual focus. When the lens is set to the closest focus point is when you get 1:1 macro (life size) any other focus point is less than 1:1.

For your other lenses, is it possible you are trying to focus closer then the lens was designed for? I haven't noticed a close AF problem with my 17-40 f/4L or my other lenses with my 40D.

I am too new at this to offer suggestions, but I'm also interested in close up shots. Following suggestions from other potn members, I've been using Kenko tubes on my 70-200 f4 IS, mounted on a tripod with the IS off. I try to get the focus I'm after using a combination of manual focus and the zoom feature. Sometimes I get what I'm after, but most of the time when I get into Lightroom I'm disappointed at what I see. People here assure me that the 70-200 with tubes is capable of consistently producing nice results..... with lots and lots of practice.

Tsmith wrote in post #5444679
get away from that closet focusing and the results prove much better.

Well there's the problem right there - you don't get a lot of light in a closet...

michaelgreen78 wrote in post #5446025
Well there's the problem right there - you don't get a lot of light in a closet...

lol _ darn spell checker should have been close but I do get your point.