FZ30 Macro and zoom???

[Dan Salter]

Hi i finally got my Lumix FZ30 and have had a couple of days playing with it including an organised fungi foray walk today.
I remember a couple of users on here who get stunning results of both superb macro shots of flys eyes and stuff and also detailed zoom pics of birds?...i have been away from here for 3 weeks or so and cant remember their names?...
My question is do they have special lens attachments on thier fz30 as i cant seem to get that close at all with macro and get it in focus?....or that close to a bird on zoom?...

any simple lessons or pointers would be great....i think im shooting in 8meg? and i havent used the super digitial zoom feauture yet ?....i couldnt even get a macro shot of a small flower in focus let alone a flies eye? ( ok i know i need a tripod etc but still) the camera just beeps and stays blurry even on macro auto focus.

[matt_xyz]

Hi Dan,

The 420mm zoom should get you reasonably close to birds etc, but it won't work miracles so you have to get yourself fairly close in the first place. Your best bet though is to buy a teleconverter which will extend the focal length. Many FZ30 users use the Olympus TCON17 which screws on the front and will multiply the focal length by 1.7, to 714mm.

For macro you will need a close-up lens as the in-built macro capability isn't great. I would recommend the Raynox DCR150 close-up lens.

Matt

[Dan Salter]

Thats great matt i knew it would be some add ons i didnt have? sorry i forgot your name too but i have been busy !
Cheers
Dan

[colincurry]

Hi Dan

I can endorse what Matt has to say. I had already decided on the tcon17 but listened to what Matt also had to say about the DCR150 - to me it is quite amazing. When you enlarge the detail on a PC, it is just like having a microscope. I find it mind blowing, but perhaps I am simply simple.

Colin

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by colincurry

Hi Dan

I can endorse what Matt has to say. I had already decided on the tcon17 but listened to what Matt also had to say about the DCR150 - to me it is quite amazing. When you enlarge the detail on a PC, it is just like having a microscope. I find it mind blowing, but perhaps I am simply simple.

Colin

Your not simple, or at least if you are so am I! The images Matt got with his FZ30 and the DCR150 I defy anyone to better with any lens. The only point against the set up is that you need to get very close to the subject, something that's often difficult to do.
I've got a Sigma 150mm Macro lens which is generally regarded as one of the best macro lenses available for DSLR's but Matt's set up is quite capable of at least matching the image quality, you've only got to look through his Gallery to see that.

[speckled wood]

I seem to remember that someone got the DCR-150 for less that 20 quid, very tempted to give it a try on my Fuji 9500, just wondering where he/she bought it from?

[matt_xyz]

thanks for the compliments Graham

Originally Posted by speckled wood

I seem to remember that someone got the DCR-150 for less that 20 quid, very tempted to give it a try on my Fuji 9500, just wondering where he/she bought it from?

this seems to be one of the only UK suppliers. They've come down in price though, I paid £35for mine.

* SNAP-ON MACRO LENS (FITS 52 - 67mm FILTER THREADS) (DCR-150) from cameras2u.com

Matt

[colincurry]

Likewise, but for under £20 incl p&p

Colin

[speckled wood]

Originally Posted by colincurry

Likewise, but for under £20 incl p&p

Colin

Just wondering if anyone has posted any pics of smaller insects such as ants and tiny flies that have been taken using the Raynox?

I have just order one just over £20 including postage

[colincurry]

I have blue bottle and hornet pics not posted if you are interested. I will then pop them on as forum images or send a PM whichever you prefer.

Can't go any smaller at this stage. Check out Matt's Gallery. I posted a red admiral on 4 Oct and a peacock on 26 Oct under butterfly pics if that is any help.

Colin