Is my camera's viewfinder not suitable for manual focusing

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ziggy©

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I have been playing around with manual focus on my 400D as i want to have a go at macro photography and i am struggling to focus clearly through the viewfinder. I find it very difficult to determine if the image is in focus or not when manually focusing on a subject. I have tried changing the diopter but still no luck. I can never seem to focus to a point where i think the image is fully in focus.

I have always wondered how people focus manually since the view from the viewfinder is not really that good. I dont think it is my eyes as i dont wear glasses and have no problems seeing things :) Is this simply because the viewfinder on the 400D is not good enough or im i not doing it right?
 
You may need to use a different focus screen. The standard focus screen is a compromise between DOF and viewfinder brightness.
If you are willing to have a darker viewfinder you can choose a focus screen specifically designed for manual focusing (which will show the actual DOF making it easier to set the focus).

It shouldn't be that difficult for most macro subjects though, normally you'd want a very small aperture to give a large DOF, but I'm guessing you're trying >1:1 and using tubes?
Do you have a ring flash or other off-camera flash? (which will allow a much smaller aperture to be used). I may have jumped to conclusions about what you already know and your equipment!
 
Get a Katzeye split screen, just like old SLRs had.
 
I find focussing manually on my 500D at large apertures (f2.8 and larger) to be nigh on impossible..
 
guybrush said:
I find focussing manually on my 500D at large apertures (f2.8 and larger) to be nigh on impossible..
Click to expand...

Same here, I have the D5000 and D200, and if I have to use the old 600mm AIS, I always rely on hearing the 'beep beep' when it is focused.
 
400D has too small viewfinder to see clearly. It doesn't allow changes of focusing screens either.

40D would improve the situation, while 5D can offer even bigger screen.
 
I didnt know anything about focusing screens before. Having googled it i think its something only brave people will do. I am not one of those. :exit:
At the moment i am using the 400D + 100mm f2.8 (non IS) and and a 580EX external flash. I am thinking of getting a ring flash but need to try out the one i have now to see whether i do actually need the ring flash.

Judging from @daugirdas response, the 400D's viewfinder is the problem which is what i thought. I didnt want to get a new camera but this is a perfect excuse to get the 60D i have been having dreams of recently.

Thanks
 
Does it have LiveView?
Matt
 
The way many people focus macro, including me, is to switch off AF and focus the lens approximately by hand. Then line up the shot and move your body back and forth very slowly until the area of sharpness is where you want it.

This is the same principle as using a macro focusing rail on a tripod, where moving the camera is often more effective than moving the lens. It's a really good technique, give it a try :)

If you're serious about macro, a ring flash is a good plan :thumbs:
 
As said approx focus then move back and forth slightly is the technique I use. Is the target stationary or moving, that adds to to the problem.
 
In addition to the above, another factor is keeping the camera still. At macro magnification every tiny camera movement is magnified and makes ir hard to see your focus point.
The ideal is to use a tripod, but this is not always practical. Always try to support the hand holding the lens on something. Grasping a stick resting on the ground in the hand holding the lens gives some support if nothing else is handy.
I sometimes use the tripod just to rest my arm on instead of mounting the camera on it, gives you more freedom to track moving subjects.
 
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