Panasonic G1 lenses??

[fodder83]

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!!

[postcardcv]

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.

[fodder83]

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

[nobby]

Originally Posted by fodder83

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:)

[postcardcv]

Originally Posted by fodder83

I'm wanting to take pictures of manitids, spiders and scorpions mostly.

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.

[yelvertoft]

Originally Posted by fodder83

I'm idealy looking at getting pictures of upto or even more than 4x life (if thats possible?).

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.

[fodder83]

Originally Posted by nobby

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

Thanks nobby!

Originally Posted by postcardcv

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.

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!

Originally Posted by yelvertoft

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.

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

[postcardcv]

Originally Posted by fodder83

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!

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.

[Adey Baker]

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.

[fodder83]

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