ShallowShannon
Senior Member
Something that has helped me when trying to get pinpoint focus on stationary subjects is a macro slide rail. I've got the Manfrotto version
and its been very handy. There are less expensive ones out there but I chose this one because I have a Manfrotto tripod and they seem to make a good product.
On the side of the slide are hash marks in 1mm increments that help you see how far you are moving the camera in or out.
This thing would probably be completely useless if your subject moves around at all, but it works wonders (for me anyhow) when trying to do things like this.
Much easier for me to turn a small knob to get the focus to move a .5 mm than it is to turn the focus ring or move the tripod.
For this shot I used an old Promaster flash with an 8" x 12" Pocket Box diffuser attached to it. I have a remote for the flash and I have the option to
mount it to a spare tripod if I need to.
Now I just need to learn how to properly use it
and its been very handy. There are less expensive ones out there but I chose this one because I have a Manfrotto tripod and they seem to make a good product.
On the side of the slide are hash marks in 1mm increments that help you see how far you are moving the camera in or out.
This thing would probably be completely useless if your subject moves around at all, but it works wonders (for me anyhow) when trying to do things like this.
Much easier for me to turn a small knob to get the focus to move a .5 mm than it is to turn the focus ring or move the tripod.
For this shot I used an old Promaster flash with an 8" x 12" Pocket Box diffuser attached to it. I have a remote for the flash and I have the option to
mount it to a spare tripod if I need to.
Now I just need to learn how to properly use it