Camera noob (Zoom\\macro focus)

[Furyhound]

I just bought the panasonic Lumix DMC FZ30 and I can\'t make good pics with it...
I read the manual, it only says to Zoom to X1 (And if I do more it gets only worse) and switch from AF to macro AF.
I also did it backwards if it makes a difference (Ya know, first macro then zoom...)

It\'s all too blurry as I get nearer/enlarge the focus.
What did I miss?

ThnX for the help

 

[Avelorn]

Basically what you usually need to do is:

1. Put the camera into full wide angle. Which basically means that you do not have it zoomed in at all.
2. Put the little button on the side of the lens to AF macro.

Then you should be good to go. Do not touch the button afterwards.

The closest possible distance to the macro subject will be larger and larger the more you zoom in. So I suggest for your first tries. do not zoom in but put the mini as close as you can to the camera (usually around 5-15cm will be in the manual) and try to get a sharp image.

Another thing.. do you see that it get\'s blurry on the LCD screen or do you see it after you\'ve taken the picture?

 

[Furyhound]

It\'s on the LCD screen, I don\'t take pictures if it\'s too blurry. I took a few pics which are quite close (A general look on the whole model) but I saw here pictures that are so much closer (The face fills the whole picture and that).

Thanks for the advice, I\'ll try that

 

[Avelorn]

Those are all but a few examples cropped from a larger shot. There are some cameras that can focus very close though.. with a so called \"Super Macro\" but I don\'t think it\'s needed for miniphotography.

 

[Spacemunkie]

Those Lumix cams will focus at 5cm or closer on macro setting. Stick it on a tripod - you\'ll never get sharp pics at that range otherwise.

 

[Dragonsreach]

There\'s two or three issues here that possibly need clarification for you.

You need a relatively clear background to get a good macro focus as some Digital cameras (not all) use a Contrast Resolution for the Autofous system. Which is why a lot of people use a smooth sheet of paper with the mini on it. It reduces the clutter and makes the mini stand out thereby easier to focus on it.

Try to get your mini about 12 inches (30cm) away from the camera as this will allow your lens to work to it\'s best advantage. Most camera lenses are designed to work most efficiently within a certain range and getting a mini too close to the camera can effectively take the mini out of the designed \"Sweet Zone\".

Make sure that the camera settings allow you to go to Aperture Priority so that you can get the best result by using the smallest aperture. This will mean that you will need a tripod as with the smaller aperture the shutter speed becomes slower.

You\'ll need to read one of the best articles about mini photography.
Here:http://www.coolminiornot.com/article/aid/60

That article made life a lot simpler for me, and gave me a point from which I have worked from.

 

[penguin]

Aye, for face close-up shots just crop. It depends how many megapixels your camera is, but when with a 7.2 megapixel you can get a mini\'s face this big on normal macro setting:

I don\'t think you need to worry!

 

[Avelorn]

Originally posted by Dragonsreach
There\'s two or three issues here that possibly need clarification for you.

You need a relatively clear background to get a good macro focus as some Digital cameras (not all) use a Contrast Resolution for the Autofous system. Which is why a lot of people use a smooth sheet of paper with the mini on it. It reduces the clutter and makes the mini stand out thereby easier to focus on it.

Another important thing is try to avoid using pure white paper because that the camera often gets confused with so much white. Making it harder to get a good exposure and focus. A neutral grey background is best for colours.

Try to get your mini about 12 inches (30cm) away from the camera as this will allow your lens to work to it\'s best advantage. Most camera lenses are designed to work most efficiently within a certain range and getting a mini too close to the camera can effectively take the mini out of the designed \"Sweet Zone\".

Make sure that the camera settings allow you to go to Aperture Priority so that you can get the best result by using the smallest aperture. This will mean that you will need a tripod as with the smaller aperture the shutter speed becomes slower.

In macromode the cameras \"sweet spot\" differs from model to model.. you need to play around a bit with the zoom to get to it. Sometimes there is even a little flower on the LCD screen that changes to green when the \"sweet spot\" is reached.

One thing at this point F in F2.8 means fraction so when we say small aperature we mean a large number F2.8 is a large aperature while F32 is a very small aperature size.

Only use as small aperature setting as needed. For large complex mini you\'ll need a small aperature to get it all into focus (as aperature is realted to the depth of field). But for ordinary minis you can do with larger sizes getting a sharper image as a result. For me The sharpest macro image I can get is at F2.8 and approx 15cm from the mini. But often F5.6 is a sweet spot.. it\'s really about toying around until you get the best image possible.

You\'ll need to read one of the best articles about mini photography.
Here:http://www.coolminiornot.com/article/aid/60

That article made life a lot simpler for me, and gave me a point from which I have worked from.

for me too..