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Old 04-06-07, 20:57
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Don Hoey Don Hoey is offline  
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Norfolk
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leif View Post
Also, how do people get precise focus on these small insects? I tried with a macro lens and tubes at the weekend and it was extremely hard. A focus rail really is needed.
Leif,

I have not yet managed to find anything I could get a tripod mounted camera to before its gone. I have used either nothing or a monopod, relying on flash to freeze any camera movement. Lens to subject distance is very short, about 1 1/2", so finding the subject is pretty tricky, as due to the shallow dof its invisible in the viewfinder even if you are lined up on it, at anything over 2 1/2".

You are right in saying that for a tripod job then a focusing rail is essential. Use of bellows can be a great help as you can focus with them over a short distance ( probably 1/2" ). Mine are a cheapo Panagor set from years ago ( never could afford the Nikon ones ).

If I come across something that is not likely to move during the action, I will put it on my milling table as that has micro control, and take a seies of pics to try out
' Heliconsoft '.

Don
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