focussing in macro mode

[photogirl]

hi there! i'm fairly new to photography and i like to shoot macro. but i often find that it is difficult to judge on the exact sharpness of the image through the viewfinder. so it is quite difficult to get a truly tack-sharp picture. using live view is often not an option due to sunlight or the noise made by the mirror getting out of the way.

are there any hardware solutions available? like some gadget that enlargens the picture in the viewfinder? i use a nikon d90 and a 60mm tamron macro lens.

[peterqd]

Hi and welcome!

A viewfinder magnifier might help. It's probably more useful for macro shots that anything else, as you can only see the central part of
the image. This is the Nikon one, you can swing it up to look directly into the viewfinder. For macros at low level, you might find a 90°
magnifier is even more useful.
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Eyepieces/2355/DG-2-Eyepiece-Magnifier.html

[Nikonshooter]

Try buying a split prism focusing screen for your camera. I have one in my D7000 and it helps a lot with manual focusing.

[visualopsins]

Welcome photogirl!

Focus with lens wide open, then stop down for photo. If viewfinder is still too dark because low light, temporarily light subject with torch flashlight.

If lens is auto-focus, place laser pointer dot on subject (NO EYES!!!) -- camera will AF on dot.

[Orio]

[photogirl]

thanks for the advice on macro focussing! all sound pretty neat but i'll probably start looking for a laser pointer

[Alex H]

Do not forget that the camera shake may affect the sharpness of the picture more than the precise focusing.

In any case, for macro with digital camera, the "focus bracketing" is the thing that helps me most when doing macro.