FZ30 Macro capabilities?

I'm looking for a camera with good macro capabilities. I downloaded a product user guide for the FZ30 and it's sparse in it's explanation. Can you guys help? Here's some questions:

• What is the maximum magnification, e.g., 1:1, 1:2, etc. (one unit on sensor equals 2 units in the field, and so on), or

• At the greatest magnification, how wide is the field, e.g., 2", 4", ect.; sorry for the inches/

• Can the lens be focused manually in macro mode?

• What's this AF Macro setting; auto focus only?

• Can the stabilization system be used in macro mode?

Detailed replies encouraged and all replies appreciated.

mick

Mick, I'm no expert, but I'll try a few ?'s

mick2 said:

Can you guys help?

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There are many here with advanced macro experience

mick2 said:

• Can the lens be focused manually in macro mode?

Click to expand...

Yes, ALL operations can be done manually. Notice there are 2 manual enhanced modes...magnification, via the Electronic Viewfinder or rear LCD.

mick2 said:

• What's this AF Macro setting; auto focus only?

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This just allows the AF to work at the extreme close up distances....not necessary to be on full time....or use the manual mode. Many like to lock in their close up focus and use a rocking back and forth motion to get the shot....of course depth of field is very shallow

mick2 said:

• Can the stabilization system be used in macro mode?

Click to expand...

Yes, absolutely

mick2 said:

mick

Click to expand...

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Dave in NW Louisiana
‹(•¿•)›
FZee30, TeeCon17, Elpro 2 &4, Sunpak 3eight3

I don't think you can Manual Focus in the Macro mode. I don't see an option. Only if you were to get a macro lens, then ofcourse you could utilize the manual focus option.
Rickc

You may find the Fuji S9000 is better than the FZ30 for macro, I had an S7000 before the FZ30 and althought the FZ30's lens is far superior the macro mode is not as good..IMO
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Heath

FZ30 is so addictive.
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WLFX9(for sale)
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CamCane

If you are serious about macro photography you will have to get macro lenses with step up ring or adaptors. You will be disappointed with camera's in built macro mode doesn't matter what camera you use. There are several good options for FZ30 and with practice all will produce excellent macro pics.
aftab
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Moxi, Australia

Hi Aftab,
In this forum you will see a lot of excellent macro photos take with the FZ30.

Without any close-up lens, or diopters, the macro capabilities are limited to the 35mm wide angle setting. You get as close as 5cm and if you would focus on a ruler you would have 9cm worth of ruler in the frame.

If you screw on a diopter, say +1 you can focus close as 3-4 feet at all zoom settings. +4 is similar only as close as one foot.

Of course you can use manual focus mode in macro or any other mode. If you choose manual you also have two different focusing helps. The first one is an enlarged center piece, helping you to focus more critical, the second one enlarges the whole frame for even more critical focusing over the whole finder. As soon as you lightly touch the shutter button the picture jumps to normal,if you turn the focusing ring again either one of the selected focusing helps appears again. You can also switch it off and focus just by rendering the frame sharp.

The FZ30 is a great do everything camera, but if you want to get specialised I would recomend an SLR
Cheers
Moxi

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Moxi, Australia

Hi all, I must have looked into the wrong thread, I meant to address Mik2

cheers
Moxi

Technically, you can't use manual focus while in macro mode as 'macroAF' and 'manual focus' are 2 different positions on the same switch.

HOWEVER, when manual focus is switched on you can focus as close as you can using macroAF mode. So, yes, you can take macro shots using manual focus.

As the above posts indicate, to get even greater magnification you will need an additional close up lens.

Matt

Here is a link to a photo shot at about 6 feet in manual at full zoom in the EZ3 Mode. It's the same as in Macro mode w/flash. The letters on the clock are about 2 inches High... )

http://www.fototime.com/ {15C41938-0972-4D2F-B4ED-04B2DC7B5E9B} picture.JPG
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http://www.fototime.com/ {82B1769B-41EC-4681-9475-1AB7968FF96A} picture.JPG
MSGT JIMMIE BURTON USAF RETIRED 1983
Panasonic ... FZ30
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Thanks for clearing this up so well
Rick