Macro Lens for FX? at DVinfo.net

Peter Schmiedel · February 2nd, 2009, 05:27 AM

I can't find any lens which allows me to take videos in scale 2:1 or even 4:1. Am I spoiled from using DSLR cama and this feature is just no know for cams with out exchangeable lenses ?

Thanks for any hint in the right direction.

Cheers
Peter

Bill Ackerman · February 2nd, 2009, 07:17 AM

I haven't tried any of these, but I have an assignment this fall in which I might need one for my Z5.

Raynox High Definition Conversion Lens Accessories for SONY HDR-FX1000, HDR-FX1000E, HVR-Z5E, HVR-Z5U, HVR-Z5 HVR Camcorders

I'd be interested in hearing feedback on any macro lenses.

Bill

Tom Hardwick · February 2nd, 2009, 08:09 AM

Peter and Bill - the simplest and cheapest way to get powerful macro shots is to use a +4 or so dioptre close-up lens. You'll need to stop down to lose the run-away edges, but if you keep your subject matter central (as Raynox show) it can look ok.

With a +4 dioptre fitted your infinity focus will be 0.4 metre, so at full tele the results can be pretty impressive.

tom.

Peter Schmiedel · February 3rd, 2009, 03:04 AM

Bill,

excellent links thanks ! Price idea would be nice ...

Tom,
I never thought about this rather easy method ... perfect and I will give it a try.
BTW any good online store in the UK you can recommend ? With the current exchange rate to the € this might make my FX1000 cheaper ;)

Tom Hardwick · February 3rd, 2009, 03:13 AM

If you can pop over to London 17 - 19 of this month you could visit the Video Forum at Earl's Court. There you would find what you were looking for, and more importantly you can look, feel, bargain, try, test, appraise any or all of the equipment that takes your fancy. I shall be there.

Peter Schmiedel · February 3rd, 2009, 03:38 AM

Tom,

just had a Meniscus surgery last week - no way to drive that far. Although form Brussel is "around the corner" .. too bad.

Here is a test from macro lens which si about what I'm looking for.

macro lens test on Vimeo

Tom Hardwick · February 3rd, 2009, 03:51 AM

I see he's using a +5 but it's a properly corrected doublet I'd think (two elements cemented together to try and control the aberrations). A single element will be far cheaper but the edges will show the cost savings. I'd stick to a +3 or maybe a +4.

Bill Ackerman · February 3rd, 2009, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Schmiedel

Bill,

excellent links thanks ! Price idea would be nice ...

I was thinking of ordering this and trying it out in the field for a few days.

Raynox | DCR-5320PRO 3-In-1 High-Definition Macro | DCR5320

B & H has a great return policy in case I don't like it. I'll probably order it or in a few months.

Bill

Peter Schmiedel · February 3rd, 2009, 10:41 AM

Bill,

I found one in a Belgium store too - price is similar to what you have linked.

Tom,

do I understand it correctly that quality of the DCR-5320 would be much better then the single lens in my link (which is about 50% of the Raynox price). My policy is to buy the right tool immediately and not mess around with cheaper items which at the end don't match the needs.

Tom Hardwick · February 3rd, 2009, 11:22 AM

I can't find reference to the 5320 on the Raynox site, but it is a good place to learn about the ins and outs of add-on lenses. Take a look at this page:

DCR-250 Super Macro conversion lens for D-SLR camera

for details on close-up and macro lenses. Click the lens for example shots.

The 5320 is $230 at B & H so I'd expect it to be a very good lens at that price. Of course there's no substitute for testing, and as I haven't done this, I won't recommend it.

tom.

Bill Ackerman · February 3rd, 2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Hardwick

I can't find reference to the 5320 on the Raynox site,

Tom,

Check out this link:

DCR-5320PRO 3-in-1High Definition Macro conversion lens for Digital & High Definition Cameras

Tom Hardwick · February 3rd, 2009, 12:01 PM

Thanks for the link Bill. It does indeed look to be an excellent design, whereby you can use the two lenses in tandem or separately. The multi-element design is fully coated and the 72 mm thread may be just what you need.

It'll undoubtedly be a whole lot better than a simple +3 dioptre close-up lens

tom.

February 2nd, 2009, 05:27 AM	#1
Peter Schmiedel New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 16	Macro Lens for FX? I can't find any lens which allows me to take videos in scale 2:1 or even 4:1. Am I spoiled from using DSLR cama and this feature is just no know for cams with out exchangeable lenses ? Thanks for any hint in the right direction. Cheers Peter

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February 2nd, 2009, 07:17 AM	#2
Bill Ackerman Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rio Chango, Brazil Posts: 112	I haven't tried any of these, but I have an assignment this fall in which I might need one for my Z5. Raynox High Definition Conversion Lens Accessories for SONY HDR-FX1000, HDR-FX1000E, HVR-Z5E, HVR-Z5U, HVR-Z5 HVR Camcorders I'd be interested in hearing feedback on any macro lenses. Bill

February 2nd, 2009, 08:09 AM	#3
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Peter and Bill - the simplest and cheapest way to get powerful macro shots is to use a +4 or so dioptre close-up lens. You'll need to stop down to lose the run-away edges, but if you keep your subject matter central (as Raynox show) it can look ok. With a +4 dioptre fitted your infinity focus will be 0.4 metre, so at full tele the results can be pretty impressive. tom.

February 3rd, 2009, 03:04 AM	#4
Peter Schmiedel New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 16	Bill, excellent links thanks ! Price idea would be nice ... Tom, I never thought about this rather easy method ... perfect and I will give it a try. BTW any good online store in the UK you can recommend ? With the current exchange rate to the € this might make my FX1000 cheaper ;)

February 3rd, 2009, 03:13 AM	#5
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	If you can pop over to London 17 - 19 of this month you could visit the Video Forum at Earl's Court. There you would find what you were looking for, and more importantly you can look, feel, bargain, try, test, appraise any or all of the equipment that takes your fancy. I shall be there.

February 3rd, 2009, 03:38 AM	#6
Peter Schmiedel New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 16	Tom, just had a Meniscus surgery last week - no way to drive that far. Although form Brussel is "around the corner" .. too bad. Here is a test from macro lens which si about what I'm looking for. macro lens test on Vimeo

February 3rd, 2009, 03:51 AM	#7
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I see he's using a +5 but it's a properly corrected doublet I'd think (two elements cemented together to try and control the aberrations). A single element will be far cheaper but the edges will show the cost savings. I'd stick to a +3 or maybe a +4.

February 3rd, 2009, 10:41 AM	#9
Peter Schmiedel New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 16	Bill, I found one in a Belgium store too - price is similar to what you have linked. Tom, do I understand it correctly that quality of the DCR-5320 would be much better then the single lens in my link (which is about 50% of the Raynox price). My policy is to buy the right tool immediately and not mess around with cheaper items which at the end don't match the needs.

February 3rd, 2009, 11:22 AM	#10
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I can't find reference to the 5320 on the Raynox site, but it is a good place to learn about the ins and outs of add-on lenses. Take a look at this page: DCR-250 Super Macro conversion lens for D-SLR camera for details on close-up and macro lenses. Click the lens for example shots. The 5320 is $230 at B & H so I'd expect it to be a very good lens at that price. Of course there's no substitute for testing, and as I haven't done this, I won't recommend it. tom.

February 3rd, 2009, 12:01 PM	#12
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Thanks for the link Bill. It does indeed look to be an excellent design, whereby you can use the two lenses in tandem or separately. The multi-element design is fully coated and the 72 mm thread may be just what you need. It'll undoubtedly be a whole lot better than a simple +3 dioptre close-up lens tom.