Macro Lens for Panasonic Lumix FZ200

Pam_m · Tuesday 10th May 2016, 12:41

I aim to purchase a Macro Lens for a Panasonic Lumix FZ200 camera. My reason being to photograph Moths, Insects and Flora and get a half decent image. I would appreciate help with which lens is the appropriate one for my camera.

Thanks in advance of any help.

btooze · Tuesday 10th May 2016, 16:06

The FZ200 is a Bridge Camera and will not take interchangeable lenses.

You are therefore limited to close up filters, which screw into the front of the lens or you can get a clip on close up lens such as those made by Raynox.

If you search out Graham Houghton on YouTube, he has videos demonstrating both products.

Pam_m · Tuesday 10th May 2016, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by btooze

The FZ200 is a Bridge Camera and will not take interchangeable lenses.

You are therefore limited to close up filters, which screw into the front of the lens or you can get a clip on close up lens such as those made by Raynox.

If you search out Graham Houghton on YouTube, he has videos demonstrating both products.

Thank you for your input.

I will check out the videos and also wait and see if I get more response on Birdforum from someone who has the same model camera and has used a filter or close up lens.

GrahameNZ · Tuesday 10th May 2016, 20:47

Hi,
I use a Raynox DCR250 on a Canon SX50 bridge camera.
It clips into the front of the lens.
The results are more than acceptable.
Depending on your camera there is one possible downside, you loose auto focus and need to move the camera back and forward to get what you want in focus.
But that is a basic macro technique anyway .....
Remember that you don't have much dof when using this lens.
Possibly if you are starting out and the critters you want to image are all at the larger end of "insect" the Raynox DCR150 may be a better choice, it a lower magnification lens.
Also optically excellent.

Pam_m · Tuesday 10th May 2016, 21:03

Thank you very much Grahame. I will look into both of the possibilities you have mentioned.

njlarsen · Tuesday 10th May 2016, 21:24

Pam,
I had an earlier version of a Pana superzoom: this was able to focus at about 3 feet distance even at maximum zoom, and I was able to use the macro-AF setting with max zoom. That meant that some flowers and insects came out really well. To use the lens that way meant that I could be far enough away that the insects mostly stayed in place.

Check out if that works for you before investing in something more expensive (you may already have, if so, sorry to plunge in).

Niels

Pam_m · Wednesday 11th May 2016, 06:28

Thank you for the advice Niels, it is much appreciated.

I do use the macro-AF setting with max zoom but find if the light is not good (which it invariably is not) then the result is not so good as I would wish it to be.

Swissboy · Wednesday 11th May 2016, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by btooze

.............

If you search out Graham Houghton on YouTube, he has videos demonstrating both products.

Thanks for this suggestion, while the contents is a bit repetitive, it has quite a number of extremely helpful suggestions. Not sure how much I want to get into the practical side, but for experimenting a bit I ordered a few of the suggested tools. One thing I had to deal with once again, postage costs can be a real deal killer when ordering from Switzerland. In one case (remote release cable) the difference from where I would order ran into a 10-fold magnitude. And ordering a 6£ item with a 20£ postage added to it would simply be ridiculous. Though I find such things often for replacement parts for model trains. So it pays to shop around a bit.

GrahameNZ · Wednesday 11th May 2016, 21:09

Another thought, what about Panas own close up lens the DMW-LC55.
Seems to get good reviews.

Pam_m · Thursday 12th May 2016, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrahameNZ

Another thought, what about Panas own close up lens the DMW-LC55.
Seems to get good reviews.

Thanks again for your help Grahame. I have some swotting up to do now at the weekend!

Pam_m · Tuesday 7th June 2016, 13:16

I purchased a Raynox DCR-150 and have had a few trials with it on Moths! I am happy with the results and will enjoy using it as often as possible to (hopefully) improve my images.

Thank you to all who offered such good advice.

Photo attached of a Diamond-back Moth of which there are rather a lot of in the UK at present...in their millions I believe.

walwyn · Thursday 6th October 2016, 19:07

The raynox lens is amazing. Wouldn't be without one.

Pam_m · Thursday 13th October 2016, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by walwyn

The raynox lens is amazing. Wouldn't be without one.

That is a super image!

I have to say I am also pleased with my Raynox lens, however time to use it would be a bonus!

Tuesday 10th May 2016, 12:41	#1
Pam_m Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Midlands Posts: 10,330 Blog Entries: 27	Macro Lens for Panasonic Lumix FZ200 I aim to purchase a Macro Lens for a Panasonic Lumix FZ200 camera. My reason being to photograph Moths, Insects and Flora and get a half decent image. I would appreciate help with which lens is the appropriate one for my camera. Thanks in advance of any help. __________________ Nature holds all the answers — go outside and ask some questions — open your heart and listen to the response! ~Amethyst Wyldfyre 'Flying High' My Blog
	BF Supporter 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Tuesday 10th May 2016, 20:47	#4
GrahameNZ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Wetlands,Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 204	Hi, I use a Raynox DCR250 on a Canon SX50 bridge camera. It clips into the front of the lens. The results are more than acceptable. Depending on your camera there is one possible downside, you loose auto focus and need to move the camera back and forward to get what you want in focus. But that is a basic macro technique anyway ..... Remember that you don't have much dof when using this lens. Possibly if you are starting out and the critters you want to image are all at the larger end of "insect" the Raynox DCR150 may be a better choice, it a lower magnification lens. Also optically excellent. __________________ Have a great day. Grahame. http://grahamenz.com

Tuesday 10th May 2016, 21:03	#5
Pam_m Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Midlands Posts: 10,330 Blog Entries: 27	Thank you very much Grahame. I will look into both of the possibilities you have mentioned. __________________ Nature holds all the answers — go outside and ask some questions — open your heart and listen to the response! ~Amethyst Wyldfyre 'Flying High' My Blog
	BF Supporter 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Tuesday 10th May 2016, 21:24	#6
njlarsen Opus Editor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portsmouth, Dominica Posts: 20,751	Pam, I had an earlier version of a Pana superzoom: this was able to focus at about 3 feet distance even at maximum zoom, and I was able to use the macro-AF setting with max zoom. That meant that some flowers and insects came out really well. To use the lens that way meant that I could be far enough away that the insects mostly stayed in place. Check out if that works for you before investing in something more expensive (you may already have, if so, sorry to plunge in). Niels __________________ Support bird conservation in the Caribbean: BirdCaribbean Temporarily living in Tennessee
	BF Supporter 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Wednesday 11th May 2016, 06:28	#7
Pam_m Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Midlands Posts: 10,330 Blog Entries: 27	Thank you for the advice Niels, it is much appreciated. I do use the macro-AF setting with max zoom but find if the light is not good (which it invariably is not) then the result is not so good as I would wish it to be. __________________ Nature holds all the answers — go outside and ask some questions — open your heart and listen to the response! ~Amethyst Wyldfyre 'Flying High' My Blog
	BF Supporter 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Tuesday 10th May 2016, 16:06	#2
btooze Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bridgend Posts: 56	The FZ200 is a Bridge Camera and will not take interchangeable lenses. You are therefore limited to close up filters, which screw into the front of the lens or you can get a clip on close up lens such as those made by Raynox. If you search out Graham Houghton on YouTube, he has videos demonstrating both products.

Wednesday 11th May 2016, 21:09	#9
GrahameNZ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Wetlands,Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 204	Another thought, what about Panas own close up lens the DMW-LC55. Seems to get good reviews. __________________ Have a great day. Grahame. http://grahamenz.com

Tuesday 7th June 2016, 13:16	#11
Pam_m Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Midlands Posts: 10,330 Blog Entries: 27	I purchased a Raynox DCR-150 and have had a few trials with it on Moths! I am happy with the results and will enjoy using it as often as possible to (hopefully) improve my images. Thank you to all who offered such good advice. Photo attached of a Diamond-back Moth of which there are rather a lot of in the UK at present...in their millions I believe. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Nature holds all the answers — go outside and ask some questions — open your heart and listen to the response! ~Amethyst Wyldfyre 'Flying High' My Blog
	BF Supporter 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Thursday 6th October 2016, 19:07	#12
walwyn Here today, gone tomorrow Join Date: May 2003 Location: willoughby Posts: 1,575	The raynox lens is amazing. Wouldn't be without one. Attached Thumbnails __________________ They have been inserting little memes in everybody's mind So Google's shills can shriek there whenever they're inclined

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread: