Macro & Autofocus

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ChefRobLeeds

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Potentially daft question - I'm looking to purchase a macro lens - is it worthwhile paying the extra for an AF-S lens, or should I save some cash by going for an AF lens (which would be manual focus on my d3100 body)

I can't see how auto focus would be beneficial for macro; its not exactly action photography so if you're going to spend several minutes composing each shot, surely an extra couple of minutes manually focussing wouldnt make any difference?
 
I don't do a lot of macro photography, but when I do I always manual focus. The only point I'd make is that some macro lenses make very good short telephotos too and for that having an AF ability can be very useful. The Nikkor 105mm AFS VR auto focusses quite quickly too. But if you will only use it for macro work then AF isn't required imo/e
 
Exactly this.

I've recently upgraded from a Tamron 90mm Macro to the Nikkor 105mm VR Macro but that was mainly for short tele use. A couple of seconds spent trying for focus can mean the difference between an insect shot and a leaf shot though so AF can have its use in Macro photography!
 
I shoot lots of Macro with my Sigma 105mm f2.8 lens- and can say in all honestly I have NEVER used AF :eek:

Manual is much better, in my opinion


Les :thumbs:
 
Thanks for the input, looks like i'll invest the money saved by not getting autofocus into getting a longer length macro lens.

Is there any situation in which you'd prefer a shorter, (say 40mm) lens compared to a longer (105mm) one?
 
I have the nikon 105vr and whilst I don't use auto focus for macro I do use it for general use with the lens, don't just think of it for macro it makes a great portrait lens and short telephoto.
 
For what it's worth I have a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM.

Whilst I tend to use manual focus for macro I use the lens for other stuff too. The AF is pretty quick and comes into it's own for action shots and tracking running dogs etc.
 
Yes for macro close to 1:1 you'll want to be manually focusing.

However a lens such as the 105mm VR is an awesome all round lens too and focuses to infinity so AF is important for the lens a good deal of the time.
 
ChefRobLeeds said:
Thanks for the input, looks like i'll invest the money saved by not getting autofocus into getting a longer length macro lens.

Is there any situation in which you'd prefer a shorter, (say 40mm) lens compared to a longer (105mm) one?
Click to expand...

No, dont do it,get a 100mm or 105mm unless you can afford the longer 150mm f2.8 macro lens :shrug:


Les :thumbs:
 
Only thing I use AF for on my macro lens is moving insects... There is just not time to use manual focus and even a good guess never gets a good shot. Then again if it's not a really fast AF it's not even going to help with that.
 
ChefRobLeeds said:
Thanks for the input, looks like i'll invest the money saved by not getting autofocus into getting a longer length macro lens.

Is there any situation in which you'd prefer a shorter, (say 40mm) lens compared to a longer (105mm) one?
Click to expand...

I'm going to buck the trend. It is a lot easier to diffuse a flash if the subject is close to the lens. I currently get better 1:1 shots with the mp-e 65mm and mt-24ex than with the 100mm f2.8 with moded flash.

Of course natural light is total different and then I'd go 100mm +

AF - Yep my Canon 100mm f2.8 makes a good candid lens. The AF is useful there but not for macro.

HTH:)
 
RJL2005 said:
I'm going to buck the trend. It is a lot easier to diffuse a flash if the subject is close to the lens.
Click to expand...

How does subject to lens distance have any affect on flash diffusion? When, using something camera mounted like a ringlight it would. (not "diffusion" exactly, but "softness")
Typically, short distances makes it harder to get light (of any type) to the front of a subject. Even with a ringlight.
 
I'm new to the world of macro just bought a sigma 105mm ex for my d200 but I use it more in manual focus
 
Agree with all above but I do like to use auto focus for some insects
Esp in warm weather you may only get a few moments to get the shot

I use the joystick controller on my 7D to quickly knock the focus point onto the insects eye and then auto focus
The focus is fast on the Canon 100L and find doing that works for me:)
 
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