Manual lens focusing

[Andrew1]

The article says it's for video but it should work well for macro as well.

http://www.gizmag.com/lens-focus-shifter/22609/

[Manfred M]

Looks like a great concept with poor execution. The issue with focus tends to be fine control, and video camera with follow-focus setups use a reduction gear to let the camera operator set the focus point accurately. Putting the focus control on the end of a long lever is actually going in the wrong direction, as the focus point you will be trying to hit will be done using a much less sensitive approach.

[Geoff F]

In my experience, Andrew, manual focusing is essential for macro, plus quite a lot of bird shots where there is conflicting background and false auto focus problems are common.

[revi]

Looks like a great concept with poor execution. The issue with focus tends to be fine control, and video camera with follow-focus setups use a reduction gear to let the camera operator set the focus point accurately. Putting the focus control on the end of a long lever is actually going in the wrong direction, as the focus point you will be trying to hit will be done using a much less sensitive approach.

The long lever means that you have to move more to get the same rotation, so you have finer control over the rotation. So the thing looks like it could work
(The button on the stick turns to tighten the attachment strap that holds the lever in place, it's not the focus control.)

[jcuknz]

My experience with using levers is with zoom control and one has much better and smoother action, the prime objective in my case, .... if it was focus you would get greater accuracy through having to move further to achieve any particular focus.

Though on one lens the weight of the lever gave a very smooth zoom ...so some locking would be needed depending on the angle of the lever at the required focus setting