Macro shooting - live view or viewfinder

Assuming I'm using a tripod, I favour live view on full zoom, manual focus.
 
As Graham said, tripod - live view on max zoom, manual focus.
Hand held, viewfinder and Magic Lantern firmwares focus trap on a Canon, again manual focus and a rock the camera with your body until you hit focus.
 
Mystery57 said:
thanks people -- what is this Magic Lantern firmware - does it affect warranties or anything ?
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Its not really a firmware as you don't actually install anything on your camera. You place the software onto your SD card and then boot it up once your camera is on. It gives you a hell of a lot more options (focus peaking, zebra patterns, full control of aperture and shutter in video mode, those are just a few things) which can really transform your camera. Because you haven't actually installed anything onto your camera it doesn't affect warranty. I cannot stress how good magic lantern is and would recommend it to anyone.

You can read more/download it here: http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Magic_Lantern_Firmware_Wiki
 
I'm not into macro photography, although I do have a macro lens, and today I shot these, hand held and without focus/software aids, simply rocking back and forth and firing as the subject looked sharp. Hit rate was not terribly high as the pesky things kept moving and the plants were waving around a little in the wind.

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I'll be trying the rocking too though I have managed a couple of half decent shots of bee's recently.

Now spiders on a cobweb in a breeze :bang:
 
It's the incredibly short dof I find tricky to balance.

Nice shot :)
 
tdodd said:
I'm not into macro photography, although I do have a macro lens, and today I shot these, hand held and without focus/software aids, simply rocking back and forth and firing as the subject looked sharp. Hit rate was not terribly high as the pesky things kept moving and the plants were waving around a little in the wind.
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Great shots, Tim. Which lens is this?
 
naveen.nag said:
Great shots, Tim. Which lens is this?
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Thanks. It's the Canon 100/2.8L IS Macro.

I used a 580EX flash mounted on camera with a Pringles tube and sheet of white plastic bag to create a mini softbox at the end of the lens.

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I really like that low key shot. Nice contraption with the Pringles tube too!
 
There isn't really a right or wrong way to shoot macro
My mate uses the manual focusing and rocking technique to good effect
I prefer to use autofocus
I move the focus point around with the joystick thingy on my 7D
I find that the autofocus on my 7D and Canon 100L macro is fast and accurate
I mainly shoot butterflies damselfies ect and you need to be quick before they shoot off
I use the veiwfinder find live view too slow
l Also hand hold camera rather than use a tripod and use natural light not flash :)
 
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Hi mate I do think for insects the viewfinder is easier , give it a try
I use autofocus ad I'm too slow to manual focus :D
But the best thing to do is to go out and have a go :)
 
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