Panasonic FZ45?

[diggleken]

Hi all,
its coming up to a birthday and thoughts are turning to a new camera.
My little old Canon compact A720IS only gets good macro results in good sun.......... but it does go in very close, right up to the lens and in the right conditions, works quite well, but I want better.
Most of my shots are fungi, flowers and insects, so macro is important.
I've read many good advice threads on here, but budget is not to DSLR and lenses, but more tending to Panasonic bridge/superzoom, the latest is the FZ45 I think.
24X optical may have me branching out, but not too seriously, into bird shots.
Has anyone experience of this one, only out recently?
And will I need a Raynox to bring closeup work even closer?
How does the Raynox work for auto, does it just act like an extension tube?
Budget around £350 (hopefully!).
Or should I go for the FZ 35/38??????
Grateful for advice/help!
(And thanks for all who keep repeating similar advice on these equipment forums, theres only so many you can read, so it helps to have repeated advice).
Cheers
Ken

[diggleken]

OK, so Mike's Fuji Finepix HS10 is terrific too, with Raynox on the end.
Probably then boils down to cost.................
Cheers
Ken
PS doesnt now need any replies.

[Lancashire Lad]

Cant give you any info on the Panasonic Ken, but the HS 10 autofocus works fine with a Raynox on the front.

However, the depth of field is critical. With the Raynox in place, I usually stick the camera on my small mini-modo tripod, zoom to max., and physically move the whole lot backwards & forwards until the image becomes generally recognisable.

This gives a fixed working distance of around ten or so inches with the Raynox 150, and closer with the 250. (To be honest, I haven't really measured it so that distance is just an approximation).

Then I half press the shutter button which autofocusses exactly on the subject no problem.

The HS10 can be currently had from Argos at £320.00 (I think they have undercut themselves there, because it seems to be around £380 elsewhere).

Digital Toybox sell both Raynox's as a kit at about £100.00, but I would advise anyone using Raynox's to ditch the plastic adapter (it's rubbish in my opinion) and buy some proper aluminium stepdown rings.
(Further info here: - Sigma 180 Macro (+ Raynox), Field of View Tests )

These were taken with the HS10/Raynox combo: -


Regards,
Mike.

[Lancashire Lad]

Bit more info Ken.

Just read this: -
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 | PhotographyBLOG

which includes a statement regarding "a variety of additional options", one of which is stated as the Close Up Lens DMW-LCE 55 - According to what I've found elsewhere, that additional lens option allows for "almost 1:1 lifesize images!" (It looks to be a single glass lens, rather than one with multiple glass elements as the Raynox's are).

Not sure what the camera alone gives, as it's macro capability isn't identified in the manufacturer's spec. (I presume it would be in the order of 1:2 half life size, similar to the HS10).

Looking at the Panasonic website, the spec for the FZ45: -
LUMIX Digital Cameras - Super Zoom - DMC-FZ45 - Specification - UK & Ireland
doesn't seem to mention filter thread size, and the product photos look like it might not actually have a filter thread. (Looks like the close up lens might attach via a bayonet style fitting on the outer side of the lens barrel?).

Something I'd check up on before buying if you're intending getting this model, as you may not be able to subsequently fit Raynox's if that is the case. (I'd be interested if anyone can definitevely answer this).

EDIT - Just looked on Warehouse Express website which says that the Panasonic LCE-55 lens requires separately obtainable adapters to fit the camera(s), but it may be that the lens itself has a 55mm thread?

Regards,
Mike.

[diggleken]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Bit more info Ken.

Just read this: -
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 | PhotographyBLOG

which includes a statement regarding "a variety of additional options", one of which is stated as the Close Up Lens DMW-LCE 55 - According to what I've found elsewhere, that additional lens option allows for "almost 1:1 lifesize images!" (It looks to be a single glass lens, rather than one with multiple glass elements as the Raynox's are).

Not sure what the camera alone gives, as it's macro capability isn't identified in the manufacturer's spec. (I presume it would be in the order of 1:2 half life size, similar to the HS10).

Looking at the Panasonic website, the spec for the FZ45: -
LUMIX Digital Cameras - Super Zoom - DMC-FZ45 - Specification - UK & Ireland
doesn't seem to mention filter thread size, and the product photos look like it might not actually have a filter thread. (Looks like the close up lens might attach via a bayonet style fitting on the outer side of the lens barrel?).

Something I'd check up on before buying if you're intending getting this model, as you may not be able to subsequently fit Raynox's if that is the case. (I'd be interested if anyone can definitevely answer this).

EDIT - Just looked on Warehouse Express website which says that the Panasonic LCE-55 lens requires separately obtainable adapters to fit the camera(s), but it may be that the lens itself has a 55mm thread?

Regards,
Mike.

Cheers Mike, very good points - I had contacted Panasonic last week for some info about macro capability, but they havent responded, so I'm not impressed.
No, its not clear what capacity there is for attachments like the Raynox and that bothers me too - I had assumed it would be like the FZ 30/38, which is one reason for putting it up as a thread for advice.
My last SLR setup was Minolta, with extension tubes, W/A, long lenses , teleconverters etc etc and got some great results pre-digital with that lot, but before that had two Fujica's - STX 1and STX 3 bodies with similar setup to the Minolta, and I was always thrilled with the stunning quality of Fujinon lenses even 35yrs ago.
So I'm talking myself into the Fuji, with 150 Raynox - where did you get hold of the attachment ring if the plastic Raynox thing was poor, the same place you mention in the other thread?
24X zoom, my god, I'll have to start taking out my tripod besides bean bag.
Thanks a lot
Ken

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by diggleken

....I'm talking myself into the Fuji, with 150 Raynox - where did you get hold of the attachment ring if the plastic Raynox thing was poor, the same place you mention in the other thread?....

Hi Ken,

The problem with the plastic adapter, is that it fits in a similar manner to a clip-on lens hood. It's not very secure, and, depending on how you align it, the Raynox lens itself can end up being just very slightly off centre. (and as a result, out of optical alignment).

I got the stepdown rings from Jack The Hat.
see this page on their website: -
Kood Stepping Rings from 25mm - 72mm from Jack The Hat Photographic

They don't do a direct 58 to 43mm ring, so I bought a 58-52, along with a 52-43, and use them both together.
I've just looked and the 58-52 is showing as out of stock, so assuming you go for the HS10, which has a 58mm filter thread, you could get a 58-48, & 48-43 or aternatively a 58-49 & 49-43. (Unless of course you can find a supplier that does 58-43 as a single ring).

I note that you say you are edging towards Raynox 150. I'd be very surprised if you wouldn't want the 250 as well.

I probably use them both about equally, as there are times when I find the 150 (while much better than the camera's macro alone) just isn't strong enough. (eg. for things like the single Scutellinia fruitbody etc.).

Regards,
Mike.