D3400 with Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G - Live View manual focus?

[GatineauRoss]

Hi
My first post to this group.
I bought (2023) this camera new to me for the purposes of photographing mushrooms in the nature - macro photography.
I recently purchased the Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G lens to improve my macro photos.
I will be using an Oben CTT-1000L Carbon Fiber Tabletop Tripod (Long) to steady the camera, and a Wireless ML-L3 Remote.

When I setup the camera body and micro lens for manual focus, I see a red box outline on the Live View screen.

My question is: how can I tell the image is in focus in Live View under manual focus? Thank you.

 

[Clovishound]

I would recommend that once you compose, use the magnification button on the left side of the backscreen to enlarge the image. It's the button with a magnifying glass symbol and a + sign in the middle.

Be aware that there will be a delay on shutter release when using LV on the D3400. I believe that it resets the mirror to the down position and then goes through the normal process of raising the mirror and taking the image. Anyway it does a lot of clunking before it actually takes the picture. Fortunately, the mushrooms will sit still for you. If you get into insects, it can become an issue.

Good luck, and we would love to see some of your images. Macro is probably my favorite genre of photography.

 

[GatineauRoss]

I would recommend that once you compose, use the magnification button on the left side of the backscreen to enlarge the image. It's the button with a magnifying glass symbol and a + sign in the middle.

Be aware that there will be a delay on shutter release when using LV on the D3400. I believe that it resets the mirror to the down position and then goes through the normal process of raising the mirror and taking the image. Anyway it does a lot of clunking before it actually takes the picture. Fortunately, the mushrooms will sit still for you. If you get into insects, it can become an issue.

Good luck, and we would love to see some of your images. Macro is probably my favorite genre of photography.

Thank you for your reply. I have a couple of follow up questions.

1) I can press the magnification button five times, and each time the image is magnified on the Live View screen. What does pressing the magnification button actually do. Because the image taken looks the same whether I pressed the magnification button any one of the five times or don't press the magnification button at all?

2) If I use the magnification button, how do I know if the the image is in focus when viewed from the Live View screen? Am I to assume that wherever the red box is located within my composition that is what is in focus?

 

[BF Hammer]

Your eyes are unable to see what is in focus? Zooming in allows you to see the micro details of the photo to judge focus. Turn the focus ring and watch the details get sharper or blurry.

 

[Needa]

Thank you for your reply. I have a couple of follow up questions.

1) I can press the magnification button five times, and each time the image is magnified on the Live View screen. What does pressing the magnification button actually do. Because the image taken looks the same whether I pressed the magnification button any one of the five times or don't press the magnification button at all?

It only enlarges the image on th LCD screen. Unlike phone cameras which often have digital enlargement the size of the picture will remain the same size. The only way to increase the size of the image with a fixed focal length lens is to get closer until you reach the minimum focal distance.

2) If I use the magnification button, how do I know if the the image is in focus when viewed from the Live View screen? Am I to assume that wherever the red box is located within my composition that is what is in focus?

No the red box will not change it only changes if you use one of the automated focus functions. You are able to chose the area you want to see by moving the area selected by using the Multi-selector on the back of the camera.

 

[Clovishound]

As BF Hammer said, it is basically a focusing aid. It's much easier to see if an area is in focus when it is magnified. As you discovered, It doesn't change the magnification of the final image, only what you see on the backscreen.

Another thing I frequently do is to look at the image after taking it, and magnifying it using that same button, to make sure that the image is not only in focus, but the focus is exactly where I want it. That is more critical with macro than other types of photography that have more depth of field. With a clump of mushrooms, you may not be able to get the entire clump in focus. In this case, you will have a choice of where your pint of focus is for aesthetic reasons.

At some point you will probably want to try focus stacking, if you haven't already. That can make a huge difference in your macro images, especially with static subjects like mushrooms.

 

[GatineauRoss]

It only enlarges the image on th LCD screen. Unlike phone cameras which often have digital enlargement the size of the picture will remain the same size. The only way to increase the size of the image with a fixed focal length lens is to get closer until you reach the minimum focal distance.


No the red box will not change it only changes if you use one of the automated focus functions. You are able to chose the area you want to see by moving the area selected by using the Multi-selector on the back of the camera.

Thank you for your replying to my questions. You have provided me with good information.

 

[GatineauRoss]

As BF Hammer said, it is basically a focusing aid. It's much easier to see if an area is in focus when it is magnified. As you discovered, It doesn't change the magnification of the final image, only what you see on the backscreen.

Another thing I frequently do is to look at the image after taking it, and magnifying it using that same button, to make sure that the image is not only in focus, but the focus is exactly where I want it. That is more critical with macro than other types of photography that have more depth of field. With a clump of mushrooms, you may not be able to get the entire clump in focus. In this case, you will have a choice of where your pint of focus is for aesthetic reasons.

At some point you will probably want to try focus stacking, if you haven't already. That can make a huge difference in your macro images, especially with static subjects like mushrooms.

The more replies I get to my questions the better understanding I am developing on the use of the magnification button...I think I get it now. Thank you for all your replies.

And yes I have tried focus stacking, and I will definitely make it a regular practice when shooting mushrooms.

 

[GatineauRoss]

I should explain, I had an expectation of getting some type of camera signal that I was in focus when using manual focus with the Live View.

I now understand how to use the camera to focus my images (magnification button )with the micro lens and manual focus as seen through the Live View.

I do have a follow up question.

For macro photography of still subjects like mushrooms with the D3400 and the Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G lens, I do have a choice of using Automatic focus or Manual focus.

Is one method of focus better than the other, and if so why? Thank you.

 

[BF Hammer]

I should explain, I had an expectation of getting some type of camera signal that I was in focus when using manual focus with the Live View.

I now understand how to use the camera to focus my images (magnification button )with the micro lens and manual focus as seen through the Live View.

I do have a follow up question.

For macro photography of still subjects like mushrooms with the D3400 and the Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G lens, I do have a choice of using Automatic focus or Manual focus.

Is one method of focus better than the other, and if so why? Thank you.

I want to say it's no problem, just do this and that. But that is not true. You can move the focus point square around the screen to select your point of focus. The camera will to focus there and should beep to acknowledge focus (if in default operation). Your mushroom subjects are not really moving so you may find it more accurate to do the manual focus. But if subject moves, you may have to autofocus to get the shot done faster.

The truth here is that DSLR Liveview is primitive compared to a Z-series mirrorless body. Every thing you are asking for that D3400 to do is solved in a Z50 camera. On a mirrorless you would set up, touch the screen to move the focus point indicator, the color of the indicator will change to green to indicate in focus, and it is ready to take the photo. And manual focus has a different aid called "focus peaking" where everything that is currently in focus has a yellow outline drawn around it. It is an outstanding aid for a still-life. But that is not available in a D3400.

But this is about working with your D3400, so yes you do have to work a bit at getting the correct focus. And there are advantages and disadvantages with both autofocus and manual focus. But with a still-life subject using Liveview, you will get the best focus manually if you zoom in the display so you can judge spot you want to be focused on.

 

[GatineauRoss]

I want to say it's no problem, just do this and that. But that is not true. You can move the focus point square around the screen to select your point of focus. The camera will to focus there and should beep to acknowledge focus (if in default operation). Your mushroom subjects are not really moving so you may find it more accurate to do the manual focus. But if subject moves, you may have to autofocus to get the shot done faster.

The truth here is that DSLR Liveview is primitive compared to a Z-series mirrorless body. Every thing you are asking for that D3400 to do is solved in a Z50 camera. On a mirrorless you would set up, touch the screen to move the focus point indicator, the color of the indicator will change to green to indicate in focus, and it is ready to take the photo. And manual focus has a different aid called "focus peaking" where everything that is currently in focus has a yellow outline drawn around it. It is an outstanding aid for a still-life. But that is not available in a D3400.

But this is about working with your D3400, so yes you do have to work a bit at getting the correct focus. And there are advantages and disadvantages with both autofocus and manual focus. But with a still-life subject using Liveview, you will get the best focus manually if you zoom in the display so you can judge spot you want to be focused on.

Thank you for your thoughtful response of information. I will note the reference to the Z50 camera for a possible future upgrade.

Do you know if any of my lenses from the D3400 would fit/work with a Z50?

 

[BF Hammer]

Thank you for your thoughtful response of information. I will note the reference to the Z50 camera for a possible future upgrade.

Do you know if any of my lenses from the D3400 would fit/work with a Z50?

It's a different lens mount. They will work with the Nikon FTZ adapter in-between.

 

[GatineauRoss]

Thank you.