What DSLR for Macro?

genece said:

Mark
I do not think you need a new camera to take great Macros......but
you are so good at it I wonder how you may do with a DSLR.

I asked on the Nikon forum why I never saw many really close ups of
bugs, and several people put links up to some wonderful Macros....I
think its just because they have more leeway with the focus distance
that they do not always get as close as you guys......I wish I could
find that link as they had flys heads that filled a frame......and
one fellow was using a 60mm F2.8 lens, I remember that as I was
bidding on one at the time.
I wonder if you do not find a ringlight if something like this may
work for you.



--
------------------------------------------------------------
Gene
From Western PA.

Panasonic FZ 20 and FZ30
D50 and lenses.

http://imageevent.com/grc6



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!

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kalimistuk said:

That looks good but wouldnt it cause shadows to the far left of the
bugs, it looks like i would need two flashes, one eather side of the
cam. could that be set up on the FZ50?
genece wrote:

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Barry Fitzgerald said:

Can you get one for the pannie?
--



Clint is on holiday! Soon to return! ;-)

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genece said:

kalimistuk said:

That looks good but wouldnt it cause shadows to the far left of the
bugs, it looks like i would need two flashes, one eather side of the
cam. could that be set up on the FZ50?
genece wrote:

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Stujoe said:

I know with the Nikon D80, you can have multiple, off camera,
wireless, external flashes all controlled by the flash in the camera.
You can also do it with the D40 but you need to buy a controller as
well as the flashes.

Plus you can get a macro flash setup.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/r1c1.htm

And, of course, ring flashes.

As long as your budget is deep enough, of course.

--
Stujoe - Camera User
http://www.DigitalPhotoPeople.com

.

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NEIGHBORHOODSPIDERMAN said:

Frankly,i dont see how you could improve enough to justify the
expense of buying a dslr with a superfast lens,Ihave been using a
DSLR Nikon D200 AND D70s with a lot of different
lenses............those pics are awesome ,very nice work,stick to
what you are doing..................

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kalimistuk said:

That looks good but wouldnt it cause shadows to the far left of the
bugs, it looks like i would need two flashes, one eather side of the
cam. could that be set up on the FZ50?

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atomicfish said:

Mark, here is a link for the oly TTL ringflash that will work with
your FZ50 and have TTL.

Here is the twin flash
http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/dslr_Twin_Flash_Specifications.htm

And here is a ringflash
http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/dslr_Ring_Flash.htm

The only thing with the ringflash it says it's a bayonet mount, I
don't know if there are any threads to also use but the twin flash
definitely has threaded mounts.

One thing I have not seen mentioned here is that I find composition
with macros sometimes is easier with the digicams is easier using the
back LCD than bending down to look through the eyepiece esp. with
bugs etc.
But then again if you get this type of flash it's compatible with all
Oly E-system DSLR's so if you do get a DSLR go with an Oly and you
already have a flash that will work with both systems!.

--
Jeff



Link for Gallery: http://atomicfish.smugmug.com

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niagaragirl said:

kalimistuk said:

That looks good but wouldnt it cause shadows to the far left of the
bugs, it looks like i would need two flashes, one eather side of the
cam. could that be set up on the FZ50?

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I went a little more crazy, ok, insane, on my setup. I bought
articulated arms etc, but I believe this is the same or similar
bracket as in the previous post. It gives me a very wide spread and
when I difuse the side flashes, nice and soft. Flash units are SB800
and 2 SB600s wireless control. I think you said you use Sunpack 383.
I think you are creative enolugh to find a way to rig things up.

Here is a product link in the USA, but it's Bogen so you should be
able to find it.

http://www.adorama.com/BG3278B.html?searchinfo=macro%20flash%20bracket&item_no=2





--
Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.



See my throwaways on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/niagaragirl/

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GregGory said:

The swivel LCD is an invaluable asset of the FZx0 for macro. Believe
me, you'll understand it the first time you have to stick your nose
into the dirt to snap a plain 'simple' pic of a mushroom or whatever
on the ground. Of course, it's all a matter of dedication and money.
You can get an LCD viewfinder for any DSLR, but it will cost you your
kidney and you have to dedicate your liver as well.

For lighting techniques, check out Seemolf's homepage, I always look
at it when I have the urge to buy something, great inspiration to
make the most of what you already have.
http://freenet-homepage.de/seemolf/index.html A ring flash, or a
slave falsh(es) will open up (a lot of) new ground.

However, there is only one 100% reliable way to find out whether you
should shoot DSLR or stick with the FZ... Try it. A used DSLR body
isn't THAT expensive anymore, and you don't have to spend too much on
lenses initially, as we have seen in this thread. You can always sell
the equipment, or keep it for low light photography.
While 2nd hand dslr body would suffice as a try out, a LiveMOS sensor
could make all the difference. The e330 with a tilt LCD is selling
for 550 USD.

But most importantly, keep up the good work...

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kalimistuk said:

Thank you also for the cool link, would 2 sunpak 383s fit without
blowing the camera, I wouldnt want to blow the internals of the FZ50.

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tinternaut said:

I lurk in other forums here from time to time and as far as I can
tell, the Panasonic FZ50 with the right bits and bobs (not to mention
the occasional Mark) is the gold standard.

I like DSLRS. I find them fast, responsive, fun and appreciate the
IQ difference. From the long term perspective of becoming a more
complete photographer, I'm sure DSLR is the way to go. Approaching
the subject from the point of view of getting better this or that, I
think you have a bang per buck consideration given the quality of
macro you already create (i.e. will you be happy with the long term
improvement you get from the outlay).

--
Regards
J

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dogman44 said:

Just my humble opinion, however it comes with over 30 solid years as
a photographer that has had every worthwhile piece of equipment under
the sun. I would highly recommend the new evolt 510 by olympus. It is
reasonably priced and has some amazing features. I would the
recommend. buying a Leica R series 50mm summicron and a 135mm Elmarit
(used ebay) Both of these can be had for about $200 for a superlative
state of the art piece of glass capable of stellar results. You will
need to buy and adapter for the 4/3 olympus (about $20) and a
reversal adapter to put the lens on backwards. This will allow you
to get 1 to 1 and even larger reproduction with razor sharp optics so
sharp that they will make your eyes bleed. Plus they are fabulous as
regular lenses in manual mode or aperture priority using manual focus
with the camera too.

This can be done for less than $900 or for $1300 you can get the 2
Outstanding Olympus digital zooms that come in the kit at the same
time.

You can NEVER go wrong buying Leica Glass. The Olympus is the best
entry level DSLR on the market and nearly all the critics are agreed
on this too, not just my opinion.
--.
Have a look at my website/All pix done with Panasonic Cameras
http://roverman.spymac.com

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