Macro Advice from the experts please!

...But, as John says, you need to keep your finger on the button the whole while - something that doesn't come naturally to me, but isn't really too difficult.

If you don't maintain the half press then the AF will kick in again.

Just came on this thread while researching some more info on quickshift focus on my 100mm macro.

I tend to use more manual focus while taking macro snaps so was wondering if there is any other way or settings in the camera that can be tweaked so that I dont need to use the lever (AF.S, AF.C, MF) constantly to keep switching from manual to AF. This is what I found so please correct me if I am wrong or there is any other easier or better way of doing it.

Firstly as I am using IR remote while taking macros with my 100mm I found that by selecting option (2) in number 13 in the C menu [AF in Remote Control] it fires the shutter without focusing. So I can leave the camera lever on AF and use manual focusing and release the shutter remotely.

Secondly, while using the camera shutter button if I want to use manual focusing I select (1) on the number 16 in the C menu [Cancel AF] and I can use manual focusing and then put my thumb on the AF button and press the shutter, the half shutter focusing is bypassed and the shutter is relased. But I personally would have prefered to leave the function to autofocus when the remote button is pressed, if there is a way of getting around this and still use manual focusing while doing macro, because when using the 300mm I like the ability to autofocus by remote before triggering the shutter. But may be I am asking too much am I?

Having said this all, I am still confused with regard to quickshift focus on my lens . What exactly is it? I thought this functions can be achieved with any lens. So please excuse my ignorance and help me out understand a bit better . I might be missing something here or not taking full advantage of my lens.

Thanks

Quick Shift enables use of manual focusing without switching the camera to MF. The practical benefit works like this. A half press on the shutter release will autofocus and lock the focus point. Maintain the pressure whilst tweaking the point of focus with the manual focusing ring. Fully press the shutter release to fire the shutter.

This will work with all DA lenses apart from the 18-250mm. It is not possible with FA lenses, so don't try to force them.

That is extremely helpful John, many thanks. Something that I need to take on board now regarding focusing, very helpful

Amin

Amin,
most/some users here have removed the autofocus from the release button and only use the AF button for autofocus. I also have it like that and leave the camera in autfocus but since it doesn't focus anymore while pressing the button it's like manual focus and if I do need autofocus I simply press the AF button.

Thanks Stefan

I tried both but it seems to suit me leaving autofocus on the release button and use AF button pressed along with the release if I have to use manual. I think I will have to experiment both until I am sure which suits me best, but I kind of like to use the AF.C settings and use the shutter release to snap.

Thanks for your advice, I will keep that in mind though, and alternate and give it a try

Amin