Need photography help

[Birdy]

I just bought a Panasonic FZ7 superzoom.

I cannot get this camera to focus on anything close up in my tank. I previously had a Canon A70 and could macro focus better in my tank with that low end camera than I can with this panasonic.

It takes amazing pictures otherwise but I cannot figure out how to focus, and I cannot find anyone who knows why.

I think I need a macro lens on it, but I don't know for sure.

I have been taking pictures of aquariums for a while now and I know how to do it, I use a tripod, shut off all the pumps, no flash.

This is the closest I can get to a subject in my tank:

Can someone tell me if I will be able to take macro pictures if I get the lens? Or is there something I am just not doing right.

 

[gregr]

Just looked at a review to familiarize myself with this model. It has some interesting features. The minimum focus distance is 5cm (in all shooting modes except full auto) with the lens zoomed all the way out (full wide). At that range you'll get good macros-- closer than the (nice and sharp) picture you posted.
If you want to move back a little and use the long end of the zoom you'll get better image quality (less chromatic aberration and sharper picture edge to edge) but you will only get approximately half the magnification. The minimum focusing distance with the lens zoomed all the way in is a full meter- and you have to be in 'tele macro' mode.
Hope this helps,
Greg

 

[gregr]

Forgot to answer the macro lens question- yes, it will help you get better [closer] macros. Be warned though- the more magnification you get the harder it is, technically speaking, to get sharp pics. You just need to use good technique is all I'm saying.