Live view macro trial

Following on from Harris's suggestion, I managed to get out and try out live view for macro. Bit of mixed bag for me.
Critical focus was hard to ascertain as i had to hold the camera away from myself to pull the neck strap tight to aid in keeping steady. It was beneficial to get a decent view of my framing, and i can see that it would help with some subjects.
Jury is still out though until I get more practice.
As ever all handheld.

Here are a few.


IMGP3267edsm by dr.shutter, on Flickr

so close,


IMGP3271ed2sm by dr.shutter, on Flickr


IMGP3294ed2sm by dr.shutter, on Flickr

Under a Leaf


IMGP3311edsm by dr.shutter, on Flickr

Really small, Big crop


IMGP3317ed2sm by dr.shutter, on Flickr


IMGP3320edsm by dr.shutter, on Flickr

Uncropped


IMGP3324ed2sm by dr.shutter, on Flickr

If LV isn't so effective at nailing focus then there's no point using it. As you mentioned, you'll probably get more anchoring when you use the viewfinder so that would lead to steadier focusing.

Great pics though.

Some amazing fluorescent greens there Derek!

I should think that LV might be better suited to tripod work... ? Certainly I think that if relying on Shake Reduction in LV that the magnifications involved can cause the SR system to really struggle. I definitely agree that a magnified LV for focussing for tripod work would be great, as it is for landscapes as well, but I imagine would be fairly hair-raising for close up work if needing SR.

Agreed! I find these wonderful. I know this is not the point of your posting concerning use of LV, but this makes me realise I probably need to get into using flash for such close-ups as I don't think I ever completely stop movement when using natural light and a tripod (ie long-ish exposures)

I haven't ruled it out completely yet Harris, there's still some work to be done.
I have had to google how to zoom the live view focus on a k3ii, as i couldn't work it out. I have to try that next as i didn't know how when taking these.
Nigel, my gut tells me that you are probably correct about lv and tripod use, just want to test it to my limits.
Andy, I have found that the use of the flash has really improved my macro shooting from when I started.
Better colours, more detail, it has had its drawbacks too though, mainly size of diffuser, but thats down to me as i made it
Will try some zoomed focus shots and let you know how I get on.

A quick update. Zoomed LV is not for me. If I thought it was wobbly before, it was all over the place when zoomed in.
Lost the bugs every time. Will keep trying LV to see if my technique improves but it will be viewfinder as my preferred method.
Cheers