Tech / Special Interest → Digital Imaging Technology > [Lens] M4/3 lens/jewelry photography help

[Lens] M4/3 lens/jewelry photography help

Hey guys,

Ok, I have a Panasonic GH-2 and my lenses are - 7-14, 14-45, 14-140, and 45-200. I have no problem with landscape shots but am having trouble with macro shots, specifically jewelry.

As you can see below (don't mind the lint or giant wax blob, I'm still learning) -

Panasonic DMC-GH2
45mm 1/2s F11 ISO160

»www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control···erReview

What you need are these, called dioptre lenses/filters. They decrease your minimum focusing distance & increase magnification. These will fit your 14-45 & any other lens with a 52mm filter thread.

Thanks, they look good and I'm ordering now

For more hints on jewellery photography, contact gemologist. He does lots of it and with panny's too.

Ralph.

I'm probably a little late, but the Raynox DCR-150 and 250 offer some of the best optics out there and don't tie you to a specific lens filter size.
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"To me EVFs are like putting complex computer circuitry in a ballpoint pen to regulate ink flow." - GibbyTheMole

Forget those Hoya diopters honestly. Youa re going to get too much artifcating and other issues with them if you want anything of quality. The Raynox add-on lenses are the way to go honestly as they are more like a true lens vs simply a magnifying glass like the diopters. Pentax, Nikon, and Canon all make diopters with multiple elements as well that are much nicer then the standard ones but not as good as the Raynox lenses.
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The 150 and 250 are out of my budget right now but are definitely on the list.

These pictures are for me mostly

How about a reverse lens adapter and an old 50mm lens?

I have a 52mm reversal mount for my 14-45 lens but not a 55mm one for the old 50mm lens I have. I was playing with the Leitz Summicron - R 1:2/50 yesterday and I love that you can see the changes when you adjust the aperture, but never could get the focus right
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"While you can teach an old dog new tricks, you simply can't teach him to be a cat."

"Are you my Mummy?"

Yes. Getting focus right can be difficult sadly.

Something like this may be helpful: »www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?···l+camera
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***ATMFAQ***DIFAQ***Kitchen Sink***

Got the 4-way one already

A question for Jamey.....since the fron optic diameter on the Raynox 150 or 250 seems to be smaller than a DSLR lens I would be using them on, is there an issue with vignetting? If not, I am seriously considering one of these. I'm leaning towards the 250 since the 5x mag is what is most attractive and is way cheaper than a Canon MP-E 65.

Ralph.

Yes there is vignetting. Also the longer the focal length of the lens the more magnification they give.
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Thanks Jamey! Does the vignetting lessen with longer FLs?

Ralph.

Yes it does. The more "zoom" the less vignetting. I typically use my Raynox on my FZ8K or LX5 but I do use it on my 300mm for my dSLR on occasion as well.
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Images are Copyrighted and use is NOT
permitted.

Thanks for the help Jamey. I'm certainly going to give these a try.

Ralph.

Anytime.

Good luck in your fledgling macro career. It's a niche part of photography that can consume you. My first efforts were with filter type magnifying lenses too, but they proved very limiting. I made a commitment to getting the level of photographs that I wanted, rather than letting the equipment dictate what I was capable of. Of course, not everyone is interested in, or has the financial means, to buy expensive and specialized camera equipment. It's very much a luxury for me too, but gives me great enjoyment when I'm out in the field. I know that doesn't help with your primary request about equipment, but wanted to offer some encouragement for stretching your boundaries.

A general piece of advice on buying any macro lens would be to get the longer focal lengths versus the shorter, more easily carried ones. The longer focal lengths allow you a greater separation from your subject, which is important if you want to shoot insects too. For that reason, I'm still looking to buy the Canon 180mm macro lens, but at over $1,500, it'll have to wait a little while longer. For some discussion on your original question, here's a thread at dpreview that started with the same request.
»www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2980190
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There are more things in heaven and earth, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. ~ W.S.

Thanks I wish I could afford the specialized equipment but it's just nowhere in the same country as my budget for the known future.

I've actually been trying full moon shots lately. I've got the color correct by stopping down my exposure and using an NDx4 I had but I just can't get the focus as sharp as I would like. My longest lens is a 200mm (400mm 35mm eq) but I'll need something longer. Panasonic makes a 100mm - 300mm but for me the price isn't worth it and I'd rather wait and get something that goes to 400mm eventually.

I'd also rather use any monies for macro . I was looking up a "copy stand" today and it amazed me that some were priced over $500 - I can make one with the core of an old tripod, some plywood and a trip to the hardware store!
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"While you can teach an old dog new tricks, you simply can't teach him to be a cat."

"Are you my Mummy?"

If you are attempting moon shots, switch to manual focus. And shoot at the sweet spot of yo9ur lens. Generally f/8 works well. And the moon is a sunlit subject so drop the ND filter in favour of faster shutter speeds. The moon also happens to be a moving subject so the longer the lens used, the faster the shutter speed should be.

Ralph.

P.S. Regarding a copy stand, try and get a bargain on an old enlarger and discard the head. What you have left is a wonderful copy stand. I have two such units and they work great. Add a couple of goose neck lamps and you're good to go.

I got both enlargers from thrift stores at less than $20 each.

Ralph.

You can also get very fancy, if it came with a lens. Discard the lamp, keep the bellows and lens(es). Mount the camera body on the negative stage, and you have an extreme macro setup.
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***ATMFAQ***DIFAQ***Kitchen Sink***

said by rcroning:

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If you are attempting moon shots, switch to manual focus. And shoot at the sweet spot of yo9ur lens. Generally f/8 works well. And the moon is a sunlit subject so drop the ND filter in favour of faster shutter speeds. The moon also happens to be a moving subject so the longer the lens used, the faster the shutter speed should be.

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Unfortunately there are very few thrift stores around here and those mostly focus on clothes. I remember my father having an old enlarger but hadn't seen it in years before his death and it would definitely be gone now.
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"While you can teach an old dog new tricks, you simply can't teach him to be a cat."

"Are you my Mummy?"

Panasonic does have a M4/3 macro lens, albeit it's a bit pricey.
»www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pan···_2p8_o20
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Wacky Races 2012!

Just a bit

I looked on craigslist and found a bunch of enlargers, but all for around $100+. I also couldn't see how to mount the camera. So I pulled the legs off an old tripod, got a piece of pipe and a flange and now I'm just waiting for a friend to get me the base wood piece Total cost - $8.
--
"While you can teach an old dog new tricks, you simply can't teach him to be a cat."

"Are you my Mummy?"