How can I manually focus a handheld macro setup when a teleconverter makes the viewfinder too dark?
Asked 6/16/2012
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I shoot handheld macro with a Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro and flash, usually manual focusing through the viewfinder. I also use an Eg-S focusing screen. After adding a teleconverter with a large light loss, the viewfinder has become much darker, making manual focus difficult unless the ambient light is very good. Live View focuses well, but it is awkward for my handheld technique because I brace the camera close to my face. Is there a practical way to improve manual focusing in this kind of low-light macro setup without giving up handheld flexibility?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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Do you have any suggestions on how I can manually focus with the three stop light loss without losing the flexibility of working handheld?
If you'll excuse the trivial level of the answer - which works well for me - I on occasion use an LED torch for night lighting for focusing purposes either when the flash focus assist light is ineffective or I'm not using flash.
To retain manual flexibility you'll possibly want to grow an extra arm or find some convenient way to hold a torch or, (something I'm considering), provide a camera mounted clip on light for this purpose. There are many small LED lights with clips available. Ideal would be either something you can turn on and off without moving your fingers far from their default positions, or a timed on period so you can push a button and have say 5 seconds of illumination.
Originally by user6263. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user6263
14y ago
0
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A teleconverter with heavy light loss makes the viewfinder dim because the effective aperture gets much smaller, so there isn’t much you can do in-camera to brighten manual focus. ISO won’t help the optical brightness of the viewfinder.
The most practical solution is to add temporary light just for focusing. A small LED torch or clip-on LED light can illuminate the subject while you acquire focus, then you can switch it off or let flash provide the exposure. A light that is easy to activate without changing your grip is especially useful for handheld work.
If Live View works but is awkward, extra focusing light is the simplest way to preserve your current shooting style. A replacement focusing screen may not solve the core problem, since the real limitation is the reduced light reaching the finder through the teleconverter.
So the best approach is: use added continuous light for focusing, then shoot as normal with flash.
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