Macro Heads

[topcatproduction]

I like to shoot mainly insects with my macro stuff, it is extremely rare that they stay still long enough to use even a tripod, so would it be completely pointless me buying a macro sliding head? As I use magnification up to 4.5:1 DOF is next to nothing, it would be very nice but just dubious that I would ever be able to use it quick enough!

 

[CReid]

I like to shoot mainly insects with my macro stuff, it is extremely rare that they stay still long enough to use even a tripod, so would it be completely pointless me buying a macro sliding head? As I use magnification up to 4.5:1 DOF is next to nothing, it would be very nice but just dubious that I would ever be able to use it quick enough!

A sliding head is really only useful for static / stationary shots as it's used for fine adjustment / focus stacking. For insects your best bet is a longer focal length macro lens (90 - 105mm upwards) as this gives you more distance between you and the target making it less likely to spook.

Carl

 

[topcatproduction]

Thanks Carl, I use 2 different lenses for macro, both are pretty old and build to last with great optics. One is a pentax 100mm macro, not quite 1:1 but it is about there when I put tubes on and it is a great lens and gives me good distance, the other is a reversed 28mm f/2.8 cimko lens which gives about 2:1 on the body, up to 4.5:1 on tubes! I can get very good results but extremely hard to use with the shallow DOF and 90% of shots are not useable, which is why I'm looking at a head! Maybe I would be better with a mini monopod which would stabilise the camera a bit more?