What DSLR for Macro?

Yes, I will of course agree that each camera has its pros and cons, but since the OP was specifically talking about macros ...

I wish we could have it all in one camera, but I do not think physics will allow it just yet.

Perhaps a camera with a rotating sensor, large on one side, small on the other, but then I suppose it would need to move to a proper relationship to the rear element, and would have different processing but I think it is feasible with current technology.
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Oll an gwella,
Jim

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50073525@N00/

FX07
FZ30 * IS/L B-300 * IS/L B-Macro * Minolta No. 0 * Sunpak 383 * Benbo Trekker

kernow said:

It is all relative to the sensor size, that didn't change. Of course
DOF is lacking at macro levels, but from the DSLR shots I have seen,
unless comprised of a stacked image almost without fail show less DOF.

Click to expand...

Focal length, distance, etc have a bit to do with the DOF too, don't they. I just don't know what adding that extra lens on the front of the FZ50 does to those variables as opposed to say a dedicated 90, 100, 200mm dSLR macro lens. I know how to calculate the DOF for a dSLR lens with online calculators but I don't know how for the Raynox on the FZ.

From the OP's photos I have seen, he is shooting at f/11 which is at small as he can go on the FZ so I suspect there is some pretty significant DOF impact. And since he uses flash, shutter speeds probably aren't going to be a huge issue. Which leads me to wonder if the DOF issue might not be much of an issue.

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

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I call this setup The Macro Machine:

Olympus E-330
ZD 50 Macro
EX-25 extension tube
STF-22 twin head macro flash.

Reason this particular setup works so well - the E330's Live B mode with 10x magnification allows for absolute focus confirmation. The pivoting LCD means you aren't eating dirt to compose. The 50 Macro is an incredibly sharp lens. And the twin head macro flash, while pricey, provides the missing element in a lot of macro shots - proper light.

What does it cost? the 330 can be had for $400 these days. But... another $400 for the 50 Macro, $110 for the extension tube, and $600-650 for the flash unit plus lens adapter. You're looking at roughly $USD1500.

But what can it do? Here's one of my favorites from last spring - a snowdrop flower, maybe 3cm in length.

Without doubt.

Did I just recommend a Sigma camera to someone? 8-O

Kind regards,
Martin

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http://www.datzinger.net

bellows and reverse 35mm lens. I have used legendary Minolta 100mm 1:1 f2.8 macro, extension tubes, TC and Achromats in front with the DSLR and ok on bigger insects like dragonflies, butterflies, grasshoppers, etc. On smaller ones, the prosumer FZ4 and FZ8 still produces "for me" better and easier pics. The shallow DOF of the DSLR is both and advantage (nicer backgrounds) and disadvantage (your have to be patient for getting the right pics). The real-time exposure indicator in the FZ EVF is a big help but of course nicer to look on the subjects in the bigger/brighter OVF of the DSLRs.

Visit the Canon and Olympus SLR forums as they have regular macro showcase. Some were pretty good but most of them were no match for the FZs. Also, macro is not just about magnification alone but has to incorporate other aspects of a good image - composition, exposure, colors, etc.

cheers and good luck,
gil
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**************
I don't give opinions, just what I see : ).
Still 100% jpg and 100% hand held,
No baits, calls and tricks but will use luck.

Well Mark, at least you started a very nice study in macro-equipment, whatever you decide to do ;-) I've learned a lot from it thusfar.

You should do a comparing test with some shots of Bob Frank and Tchuanye without knowing the artist. Tchuanye does use two flashes but not at a fixed place, the second flash is handhold.

http://tchuanye.smugmug.com/gallery/271702#130954788

I really don't understand how he can do that, I would never be able to get decent results since I do often use one hand to move/turn plantstems and more.

I think the two-flash method of Tchuanye will give more room for personal taste when shooting, you have more control over the way everything is lighted.

But Bob Frank shows that you can get excellent and very creative results with just one flash, I guess one of Bob's crafts is that he does not only delete the bad shots but also the ones with lighting he doesn't like. This is just my guess!

I can't say anything about the original question that will help you, I'm just a beginning and unexperienced photographer that loves his FZ50 but would sometimes like to have some more dynamic room for landscapes.

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Bas Dekker
My pics: http://basdekker.eu/fotografie.htm

First, for macro you often want a lot of DOF, and with a DSLR you
have to stop down a lot. But then every little dust speck will be visible.
4/3rds have the only proven dust-prevention system.

Secondly, the E-330 has live view, which makes it possible to MF with very
high precision on the LCD with up to 10x magnification.

Thirdly, the E-330 is the only DSLR (until the Oly E-1 successor is available)
that has a tilt/swivel LCD. That's very valueable for macro, whether on a
tripod on a table or on the ground, or freehand on the ground.

Fourthly, the 4/3rds sensors have high pixel density, that's an advantage
for macro, giving more magnification (everything else being identical).

The 50mm ZD macro lens is very highly regarded.

So if macro was a priority and I wanted a DSLR for it, I would consider the
E-330.

But the advantage of DSLRs is less when it comes to macro - for the same
DOF, the DSLR has to be stopped down more, and to get the same
shutter speed (if shooting something that moves, like a flower in the wind),
has to raise the ISO and there goes the high ISO advantage. Unless you
can use flash of course.

Just my two oere
Erik from Sweden

When posting photos for comment, please give basic settings and/or leave EXIF intact.

DSLR or not...I wouldn't change anthing in the way you shot macro with your 250/fz50....Your shots should be posted in magazines!!

kalimistuk said:

Iv had quite a few emails saying that my Macros are good but could be
much better with a DSLR, but what DSLR and lens would be as good as
the Panny FZ50 with the Raynox 250, and what kind of price would I
be looking at.
Are they that much better for Macro.?
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thx mark. (kalimistuk)



my pics at,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalimistuk/
my Highspeed pics at,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalimistuk/sets/72157594566402216/
my Macro pics at,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalimistuk/sets/72157594487257853/

Click to expand...

if I did move to DSLR the lens I have seen That really would be tempting is the canons MPE-65mm macro lens, I have been on the Canon SLR lens talk on the Macro weekly thread and I have decided to stick with the Panny gear and just try and inprove my flash and lighting.

Thanks you ALL very much for the massive feed back and tips and links, they have all been very helpfull. but still for what i have seen it just wouldnt justify spending all that money. so Panny Z50 and Ray 250 it is. Thanks so much ALL of you.
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thx mark. (kalimistuk)



my pics at,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalimistuk/
my Highspeed pics at,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalimistuk/sets/72157594566402216/
my Macro pics at,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalimistuk/sets/72157594487257853/

I think you made the right decision for now. No rush, in my eyes, if you don't see a good cost benefit reason at this point. Keep using what you are using. It's not like they aren't going to stop making dSLRs any time soon.

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

.

Mark, you might want to rent the dSLR equipment, to find out in real-world shooting what benefits you will gain.

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If you made your own flash bracket, the rest would be fairly easy...

The second flash could be a slave flash; it would fire with the first one. Or, you could get a splitter for the hot shoe and use two cables coming off your camera, and not need a slave flash.

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I would miss your posts.

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Rafael (eFZed30)
http://rafael.zenfolio.com/ (referral code on my page)