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TZ3 for insect macros? Any good?

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pauljustpaul

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Curious about how the TZ3 performs for insect macros. The review here made the macro sound a bit weird on the TZ3, but maybe I just didn't understand what I read very well.

Can it do extreme closeups of insects fairly well, and how close and far can you be to do them?

Samples would certainly be appreciated. Thanks!
 
paul,
this is about the closest you can get: 6 mm line spacing



Here is the test field (5 mm grid), at 3.5 cm to lens tube (=5cm distance to nodal point)



Some more macros on my 'tid bit' gallery:
http://fiebl.zenfolio.com/p811053025/

Then there is the tele macro on the TZ3, works for 280 mm for 1m distance upwards.

Best to have some makeshift macro lens affixed before your lens.

Regards, Guenter

--
http://fiebl.zenfolio.com/
 
I did consider the T100. But I read some bad things about it - poor flash for example, and also the TZ3 has such a great zoom range which I like.

Too bad the TZ3 isn't too great for macros... I have to weigh my choices again now... :-(
 
Wow... that is pretty damn good!

Where can I find more info on this macro adapter? And what does it look like? I probably won't like it to be honest, since I'd prefer to use the camera in its original form. But I am curious after seeing that nice sample.
 
you should not worry too much about that "issues".
there are a few user that obvously don't like sony that much.

the flash is not the strongest but the one on my milolta dimage XI was weaker. i think it's ok for that size!
the 10x zoom is an quiet good argument for the z3!
but i prefer a cam as slim as possible. the t3 is a bit too big for me ,though.

as i saw on the web there is a macro light available for the T100. maybe i'll buy that one day cause often it's a problem to get 1cm close to an insect an still got it in sun light...

greetz
 
I was having a problem finding a lid that was the right size (think of the top of an aerosol (sorry for spelling) spray can so I cut up a small water bottle for mine. Pops right on and off. I used a 55 - 52 step ring and a screw in 52mm close up lens (Canon 250D)

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=22764203

It really is quite easy to make. I'm not wild about electrical tape so I am looking for a less gooey type of tape.
pauljustpaul said:
Wow... that is pretty damn good!

Where can I find more info on this macro adapter? And what does it
look like? I probably won't like it to be honest, since I'd prefer
to use the camera in its original form. But I am curious after
seeing that nice sample.
Click to expand...
--
terry
http://tbanet.zenfolio.com/
 
Whoops, a few seconds behind. Ahh, what a great start to the week ;)
 
Thanks for that link.

Wow, that is really amazing how he came up with that! It's not that bad really, just needs a decent way to attach the camera.

I wonder how much it costs for those parts?
 
bluefear said:
you should not worry too much about that "issues".
there are a few user that obvously don't like sony that much.
the flash is not the strongest but the one on my milolta dimage XI
was weaker. i think it's ok for that size!
the 10x zoom is an quiet good argument for the z3!
but i prefer a cam as slim as possible. the t3 is a bit too big for
me ,though.
as i saw on the web there is a macro light available for the T100.
maybe i'll buy that one day cause often it's a problem to get 1cm
close to an insect an still got it in sun light...

greetz
Click to expand...
Yeah, the T100 is pretty cool. It was one of the 2 or 3 pocket cams I'm looking at. I also saw that macro light ring, it's another interesting plus for the Sony.

But overall, I'm still leaning toward the TZ3. It's still pretty small, and that zoom range is just killer. I love having 28mm wide angle, and it's also useful for some work applications for me. And being able to zoom out to nearly 300mm is also amazing, and would be wonderful for trips or spotting animals.

I wish the TZ3 had some manual modes though. But from samples I saw, it seems pretty reliable with setting exposure. For around $300, it seems to be a great value and offers a lot of versatility due to the lens.

Both have a great 3" screen. The Sony has the edge in size - it's truly a pocket camera. But the TZ3 would easily fit into any jacket pocket as well.
 
Cost to make
1 roll electrical tape approx $3
1 cheap filter or stepup ring $5 or so

1 lid from can $4 or so depending on the product inside the can (water bottle I used - free on airplane)

results - priceless (LOL)

the electrical tape is sort of plastic and it has plenty of "grip" to stay on the camera. I wouldn't go dashing about town with the adapter on but for taking shots it is plenty sturdy.
--
terry
http://tbanet.zenfolio.com/
 
Hi;

I'm not too clever with photography, so this may seem stupid, but what exactly is this contraption doing that you made? Is DCR-250 a lens? I have a DMC TZ3 and this intrigues me.

Any explanation would be awesome.

Paul
 
Just got back from Circuit City. Spent over an hour fiddling with cameras, mostly the T100 and the TZ3.

I was surprised at my reaction... I like the T100 more!

It focuses much faster than the TZ3, the macro mode is definitely better, and I also noticed its LCD is much more visible than the TZ3 when held BELOW the chest. Yes the TZ3 has that nice ultra bright setting and the overhead setting - BUt when held at a low angle, it's quite hard to see at all. And for someone interested in doing macros, that lower angle matters.

The TZ3 destroys the T100 for zoom range obviously. But otherwise I have to say I liked the T100 a lot.
 
A close-up lens is like a magnifying glass. It lets you get "up close and personal" with the subject matter. They are used in macro photography. the DCR-250 is a close - up lens made by a company called Raynox. It is meant to fit a number of different cameras and clips on. Other close up lenses look exactly like filters and they screw in. The TZ3 does not have a way to accept filters so a home made adapter is the answer to using the close up lens with this camera. The DCR-250 lens is less than $40 is very sharp and has very powerful magnification +8 diopter.

Why do this with the TZ3?

When using close up lenses (especially strong ones like +8) the depth of field can get very small. A small sensor camera has more depth of field so macro photography with a close up lens on these cameras can be a lot of fun and easier in terms of getting more in focus.

If you look through my galleries, many of the London TZ3 shots are with the home made attachement. The April in Arizona shots are with the FZ8 and the same close up lenses.
xhalmers_860 said:
Hi;

I'm not too clever with photography, so this may seem stupid, but
what exactly is this contraption doing that you made? Is DCR-250 a
lens? I have a DMC TZ3 and this intrigues me.

Any explanation would be awesome.

Paul
Click to expand...
--
terry
http://tbanet.zenfolio.com/
 
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