I have a fuji S5200, and it seems to take decent pics. I would like to upgrade at some point, but figure I need to learn to shoot good with this one before I do. I try to shoot in macro mode, but it doesnt seem to work that well. I have heard that you need to stand about 3 feet back with this camera, but when I stand back and zoom in I cant get it to focus (camera is on a tripod) Is it a good idea to get some close up filters. Will they help, or possibly any other filters or shooting ideas that may help. thanks
filters
- Thread starter ryano
- Start date
gregr
New member
Smart.
A couple suggestions- first, that camera can focus on a subject as close as 1cm but that's with the lens at full wide angle. That should get you some good close-ups and the focusing should be a lot easier. As for the focus problem from three feet away- have you been trying that with the camera in macro mode? I can't find the specs that say what the minimum focus distance is with the lens zoomed all the way in- that is a key piece of info... Question- when you try the same thing (zoomed in, subject three feet away] outside [non-aquatic pics] does the camera focus okay? If not you are either too close to the subject or macro mode needs to be enabled/disabled. If it does focus okay then try aiming the camera at something very contrasty and textured that is the same distance away as your intended aquatic subject, hold down the button until autofocus locks on, keep the button pressed halfway and recompose the shot on your intended subject and take the picture.
Hope this helps,
Greg
sorry I dont know why I put S5200 its a S5100. I havent tried it with the wide angle. I have tried in macro mode from approx. 3 ft and closer, but I dont notice any difference at those distances between normal mode and macro. I will have to try one outside the aquarium to be sure if it will focus when zoomed in over half way properly. I am thinking it doesnt though. If I remember correctly I have tried taking pics of my dogs with it zoomed past half, but couldnt focus.
Heres one of my better pics. I know it needs a lot of improvement. I cant get to much closer than this because I cant get it to focus enough. This pic was taken in normal mode with the camera about 6 to 8 inches away from the feather duster. Any ideas on how to improve would be appreciated.
gregr
New member
A lot of the newer point and shoots have this "super macro" mode which is where you can practically focus on something that is touching the lens- but only with the lens zoomed all the way out to it's widest angle. That will get you some nice close-ups but it's a little counter-intuitive to zoom out to get a closer shot...
Also would a lens like this help at all or am I better using the macro mode on my camera or some close up filters, or a combination?
http://www.opteka.com/productdetail.asp?productid=4119
http://www.opteka.com/productdetail.asp?productid=4119
gregr
New member
Ahh- big difference... mainly because dpreview has a full review so I can find all the important numbers there
In macro mode the 5100 will focus as close as 9cm at full wide angle and 90cm zoomed all the way in. 90cm is approximately three feet, by the way. Magnification is a little bit better at full wide/9cm away but not by a huge amount so you can experiment with both methods.
I'll go look at the specs on the filter you're asking about.
gregr
New member
That filter will allow you to have the camera closer to the subject thereby getting you more magnification (closer close-ups). They are good because they get you a good amount of magnification and they're relatively inexpensive. Downside is your depth of field will decrease a fair amount, requiring smaller apertures to get decent depth of field, which generally means slow shutter speeds, which generally means moving subjects will be blurry plus you need to use a tripod. You can use a flash to help with the shutter speeds.
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