AI-S Manual Photography: I purchased a Micro Nikkor AI-S 105mm 1:2.8 a little over a year ago. I am just beginning to use the lens on a regular basis on my D 7000. I would appreciate...

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

I purchased a Micro Nikkor AI-S 105mm 1:2.8 a little over a year ago. I am just beginning to use the lens on a regular basis on my D 7000. I would appreciate advice from anyone on any aspect of manual photography. I am getting better at the manual focus aspect using the green dot function and use both Manual and Aperture setting. Thank you in advance for any suggestions you want to share.

Attached file:
(Download)

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I personally don't use a 105mm I use a 180mm macro Sigma on a 7200 and generally do not shot without the use of a tripod with the system because it is quite heavy. When shooting manually the tripod gives me an extra hand which I use to fire remotely or check my LCD for focus. When I am shooting without the tripod I try to find a way to position my body or arms to help me hold the camera steady. I don't really think about my controls that much as I try to set my ISO and then work the dials as needed and that will come naturally the more you use the camera.

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

WayneT wrote:

I personally don't use a 105mm I use a 180mm macro... (show quote)

Is LCD focus method more accurate?

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

GKarl wrote:

Is LCD focus method more accurate?

For me it is. I use a Hoodman loupe to assist me ( https://www.amazon.com/Hoodman-HoodLoupe-Optical-Viewfinder-Displays/dp/B00A0TLDSY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1480260003&sr=1-1&keywords=hoodman+loupe ) but I can get things tack sharp that way. My eyesight isn't what it use to be and my glasses get in the way when just looking through the view finder.

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

I uploaded a photo in RAW format. It is a photo of high bush cranberries I took a couple of weeks ago.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

GKarl wrote:

I uploaded a photo in RAW format. It is a photo of high bush cranberries I took a couple of weeks ago.

It's hard to determine exactly where your focus is on this shot and a lot of your focus problem is your DOF. Try to reduce your aperture a little to increase your DOF or stack shoot the shot. If this was a hand held shot it could just be hand shake. For me my best shots are taken with a tripod. You might want to do a focus check on the lens to see if it's front or back focusing as well.

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

Thank you. I was just checking out sharpness. I will incorporate your suggestions.

N4646W

GKarl wrote:

Thank you. I was just checking out sharpness. I will incorporate your suggestions.

I haven't done macro for a long time, and all I have are AI or modified pre AI lenses. Lens looks ok for sharpness, looks like focus point was on fore most part, maybe a trifle of shake from mirror slap or shutter release.

That said, one way to know your macro capabilities with your lens is to set up a yard stick or ruler at a 45 degree angle and focus on it at different apertures so you will know how much you have for a depth of field at that aperture. If you use a remote trigger, this will also let you know how much mirror slap will figure in. There are more sophisticated was of doing this, but it will get you in the ball park to know what you want in focus and how sharp you lens is.

Ron

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

If I have the time, I find using the magnifier in live view, at the highest or next to highest magnification, at the point I want to manually focus on, to be more accurate than the green dot in the viewfinder most of the time.

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

N4646W wrote:

I haven't done macro for a long time, and all I ha... (show quote)

I have a remote trigger and will attempt to determine depth of field. Thanks

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

Bobspez wrote:

If I have the time, I find using the magnifier in live view, at the highest or next to highest magnification, at the point I want to manually focus on, to be more accurate than the green dot in the viewfinder most of the time.

Great advice.

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

Bobspez wrote:

If I have the time, I find using the magnifier in live view, at the highest or next to highest magnification, at the point I want to manually focus on, to be more accurate than the green dot in the viewfinder most of the time.

Thank you for the advice.

JPL

GKarl wrote:

I purchased a Micro Nikkor AI-S 105mm 1:2.8 a little over a year ago. I am just beginning to use the lens on a regular basis on my D 7000. I would appreciate advice from anyone on any aspect of manual photography. I am getting better at the manual focus aspect using the green dot function and use both Manual and Aperture setting. Thank you in advance for any suggestions you want to share.

You can use the green dot and it will help if you use tripod and also if you use live view. But the best way by far when using manual focus lenses, is to use mirrorless cameras with electronic viewfinders. It makes it just as easy and accurate to manual focus as it was in the old days with slr film cameras. I have a few Nikon Dslr and have done some manual focusing shots with them using either the green dot or live view. And I can tell you it was like entering a totally different world when I bought a mirrorless camera and started using that with manual focus lenses. There is no way back to manual focus on Dslr.

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

The mirrorless concept is a paradigm change. I have been afraid to investigate because I believe it could be costly. However, before I make a new camera purchase I will have to take a look. I move slowly when buying new equipment. I pre purchased the D 7000 in 2011 and am still trying to wear it out.