Panasonic G1 lenses??
 

Hey all,

I'm pretty much a noobie with SLRs / DSLRs but was looking into getting into Macro photography as I keep alot of exotic animals / bugs.
I'm idealy looking at getting pictures of upto or even more than 4x life (if thats possible?).
I've got myself a Panasonic G1 micro 4/ 3rds, any ideas on what lens / lenses would be good to use??

Thanks!!

The mirco 4/3rds is a very new system at launch only the two kit lenses were available specifically for the system though you can get an adapter to allow the use of standard 4/3rds lenses. As I understand it not all of the 4/3rds lenses with AF on the G1 but they are releasing firmware fixes to solve this with many lenses. I know that you can get a 1:1 macro lens for the 4/3rds system but do not know of any that give higher magnification. What sort of size are the subjects you want to shoot? A 1:1 macro will get you in very close unless the suject is really small. Adding extension tubes to a macro will give you a bit of extra mag but still wouldn't take you to 4x life size.

Thanks for the reply, thought that might be the case :s
Will have to look into getting some adaptors then I guess.
I'm wanting to take pictures of manitids, spiders and scorpions mostly.
What is an "extention tube" ?

Cheers!
Fodder

This explanation may help you http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extension_tube:)

With a 1:1 macro lens you can photograph something at 'life size' - a 1cm item will cover 1cm on the sensor. The sensor on the G1 is 18mm x 13.5mm so you'll be able to get frame filling shots of anything upto that size with a 1:1 macro. Later on I'll take a shot with a 1:1 macro to give you some idea of what you'll get from one.

Only if you're willing to shell out a very large amount of money on a microscope and attachment to stick your camera onto. I'm guessing that this wouldn't be practical/appealing as it would also prevent the use of live subjects.

You're doing very, very well if you can get 1:1, almost anything more than that is very specialist. Also bear in mind that even at 1:1, your depth of field is going to be exceptionally shallow (1-2mm?) even at very small apertures. Read the glossary I pointed you to in the other "hello" thread if you don't understand what I'm talking about.

Thanks nobby!

So in theory, if im taking a picture of something approx 15mm by 10mm in size, im not really going to need a macro lens?? Look forward to seeing the shot, thanks!


First comment is correct, thats not particuly practical or appealing as I want to keep my subjects alive.

So as a "short term" goal, I should perhaps aim at taing 1:1 or as close as possible, then maybe, depending on results try for higher.
Will go take at look in my hello thread, thanks!

Appreciate the info all.
Fodder

I'd say that for something that size a 1:1 macro will be perfect. Sorry I've not had much chance to do a test shot today, here's a quick one that is basically at 1:1. Part of the queen on a bank note, first one is uncropped just re-sized the other is a crop from it.

As a general rule, anything over life-size is best taken either with a microscope or with a set of bellows with a short focal length lens (the shorter the focal length, the greater the magnification). Specialist macro lenses are available - at a price - or you can use a 'normal' wide angle lens if the bellows allow you to reverse mount the lens. It won't be the same quality as a proper macro lens but it will do the job. With the smaller sensors on digital cameras, though, you'll fill the frame with a subject just a few millimetres across.

Thats a pretty cool pic of the queen and the eye, thanks for showing!
Looks like for now i'll go for the lens that will give me 1:1 and see how that does for me. I just want to pick up all the little tiny details that we cant really see just by looking at them.

Thanks again everyone!
Fodder