Canon EF-100mm Macro - manual focusing u/w, anyone?

[Zeeman]

So, those of you who have the EF-100mm macro, and a port that supports manual focus - do you use Auto, manual, or switch depending on the site?

I have been very tempted to put it in manual mode a few times, have yet to try it, but am curious to see what others are doing, and their opinions..

Z...

 

[bversteegh]

I used manual focus with this lens quite often with my old camera (a 20D). Especially in low light, it didn't want to autofocus very repeatably.

I primarily used this lens to shoot supermacro > 1:1 with a woody's diopter; on little stuff like small shrimp/crab etc. I found it most useful to just dial the lens to full magnification (closest focus) - and then move the camera in and out to achieve final focus.

And BTW, autofocus is MUCH better with a 40D.

 

[Papa_Bear]

Good hint! I shoot this one with a 20D Auto focus holding real still!

 

[txdano]

I always keep my 100mm set to autofocus. My port has a focus knob so I am able to "override" autofocus manually if needed. With a focus light I find that it focuses pretty well on it's own.

 

[Zeeman]

I think I'll do some playing around on my next macro dive. Or, I need to diffuse the focus lights on my strobes...

Z..

 

[bigfrog23]

i set the lens to auto focus but then use the focus start stop button on the back of the camera to focus

 

[alanf]

i have a slightly different take on this to some of the users and wonder why!

When I bought the Ikelite port with the manual focus knob. I believed i would get the best of both worlds that is to say autofocus with a manual override. Unfortunately in my experience there is a little catch.

To use the manual knob you have a sleeve attached to the focus ring of the lense. this means that auto focus must turn the sleeve ( and therefore the focus knob). In my case the lense motor isn't strong enough to do this and so it does nothing. If I want auto I don't use the sleeve and forget about the knob. If i want manual I set it up for manual and forget auto.

Ultimately i wish i bought without the knob as I rarely use manual and its a risky control


I hope this makes sense,
Cheers,
Alan

 

[txdano]

What camera are you housing? With my Ikelite 400D housing and the flat port with focus knob, I don't need any sleeve to manual focus the 100mm lens, it just works on it's own. I know what you are referring to though, as I have to use a sleeve to zoom my 17-40mm in the dome port.

 

[alanf]

Sorry about that I got confused with something else. You are right there is no sleeve. Just the little grippy rubber strips on the inside of the port.

I got confused because I have problems with autofocus after about 20m. I didnt think about it too much and assumed it was related. Looking now i see the lens collar doesn't turn with autofocus. I took the macro out yesterday and happily worked with auto and manual focus at the same time. Below is one of the results :

Please accept my apologies for the misinformation

 

[txdano]

No worries, glad that it works for you.