Close up shots at DVinfo.net

Michael Connor · June 19th, 2004, 10:24 AM

Hi there. Anyone out there got any idea if thereis anything i can do to my xm2 (gm2) to enable it to film a little closer up to things. If i get to close it blurs. A friend suggested there may be something in the menus that i can dis able that enables closer range shooting. But i cant seem to find it. Will an add on lense help, or do i need a different camera.
thanks,

Alan McCormick · June 19th, 2004, 12:54 PM

Michael,

Had the same problem today, it is the macro "thingy" but I do not think the XM2 has this feature.

Would be nice if there is a workaround apart from not getting too close ;)

Federico Dib · June 19th, 2004, 01:57 PM

I can focus my fingerprints holding my finger in front of the lens.. actually inside of the hood, just a cm away from the glass... To get closer I´d need X rays...

Of course you will probably need to do manual focus...

You can get a macro adapter... but I cannot give advice on that, because I´ve never used one.

Ken Tanaka · June 19th, 2004, 10:24 PM

The GL2/XM2 can, indeed, focus very closely. There is no need for any additional lenses. Use manual focus.

Alan McCormick · June 19th, 2004, 10:59 PM

Ken, I use manual focus but sometimes (like yesterday) when i was about 1cm away from a goal net it was blurred. I could not get sharp focus so I cam away a few cms and focus no problem. btw - I had the wide angle lens on. I will try again today and report back.

Robin Davies-Rollinson · June 20th, 2004, 04:19 AM

Guys, guys, you need to get yourselves to your local photo shop and by some close-up adapters. They come in varying strengths: +1, +2, +3 diopters. Ask for 58mm size. Hoya make some - in fact I'm looking at mine right now. You can screw them into each other, so +2 with +3 will give you +5. You can get the camera really close and zoom right into your finger nail (should you so wish...)

Robin

Alan McCormick · June 21st, 2004, 12:42 AM

Thanks Robin, why is it though that Ken has said you can do it in manual focus alone?
Have I missed something here?

Oh btw it was the same (yesterday) when I tried to shoot pretty close to the subject (all in manual of course).

Ken Tanaka · June 21st, 2004, 01:10 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Alan McCormick : ...why is it though that Ken has said you can do it in manual focus alone? -->>>

Because you can. The minimum focusing distance of the GL2's lens depends on its zoom position. At its widest position it will focus on a subject at a distance of just 3/8". The close-up photo diopters that Robin suggested may provide some magnification but I've never used them on a GL2.

Robin Davies-Rollinson · June 21st, 2004, 01:34 AM

The whole point of using the close up adapters is that you can zoom with them at a closer distance to the subject than without.
The minimum focal distance is normally only about three feet. With the dioptres, it can be under 12 inches.
You can certainly keep things in focus close to the lens normally, but only at the widest setting of the zoom. With the adapters you can really get into close ups - and use the facility of the zoom to get the size picture you need.

Robin

Don Palomaki · June 21st, 2004, 04:03 AM

The major advantage of the close-up adapters is that you have some stand-off distance and can light the material. while filling he frame with a small subject.

Canon and Century offer some high quality close-up adapters as well. Canon's model is 250D in 58mm (cat. no. CZ6-2811). A bit pricy, but very high quality glass.

Alan McCormick · June 21st, 2004, 07:32 AM

Thanks guys' great advice as normal, I will look out for the adaptors for any specific shoot I may be on in the future ;)

Marco Leavitt · June 21st, 2004, 12:23 PM

Century is still having a sale on their filters, and you can still get their Series 9 diopters for $50 bucks each. You'll need an adapter ring. This is a good deal -- they retail for over $500 normally. Get the dual element diopters (not drop in).

Michael Connor · June 21st, 2004, 03:41 PM

Thanks everyone. Yea i want to be able to shoot right close up to things like leaves/flowers etc so that they fill the picture, on a full zoom. So that i can pull out for a stunning effect. Yea fredrico i get you in that you can focus close, but the idea is that you can go right in on a subject with lots of details, or even home in on a particular part of the subject. Someone in this forum wanted to zoom right into an eye so just the black centre was visible, and then pull out to reveal the full eye. Maybee difficult, but you get the idea. Thanks everyone again, of to try and find some lenses i think, here in the uk.

June 19th, 2004, 10:24 AM	#1
Michael Connor Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Durham, England Posts: 138	Close up shots Hi there. Anyone out there got any idea if thereis anything i can do to my xm2 (gm2) to enable it to film a little closer up to things. If i get to close it blurs. A friend suggested there may be something in the menus that i can dis able that enables closer range shooting. But i cant seem to find it. Will an add on lense help, or do i need a different camera. thanks, __________________ StMichael

June 19th, 2004, 12:54 PM	#2
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	Michael, Had the same problem today, it is the macro "thingy" but I do not think the XM2 has this feature. Would be nice if there is a workaround apart from not getting too close ;) __________________ Alan McC

June 19th, 2004, 01:57 PM	#3
Federico Dib Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 312	I can focus my fingerprints holding my finger in front of the lens.. actually inside of the hood, just a cm away from the glass... To get closer I´d need X rays... Of course you will probably need to do manual focus... You can get a macro adapter... but I cannot give advice on that, because I´ve never used one. __________________ Messenger Boy : The Thessalonian you're fighting, he's the biggest man I've ever seen. I wouldn't want to fight him. Achilles : That is why no one will remember your name.

June 19th, 2004, 10:24 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	The GL2/XM2 can, indeed, focus very closely. There is no need for any additional lenses. Use manual focus. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 19th, 2004, 10:59 PM	#5
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	Ken, I use manual focus but sometimes (like yesterday) when i was about 1cm away from a goal net it was blurred. I could not get sharp focus so I cam away a few cms and focus no problem. btw - I had the wide angle lens on. I will try again today and report back. __________________ Alan McC

June 20th, 2004, 04:19 AM	#6
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Guys, guys, you need to get yourselves to your local photo shop and by some close-up adapters. They come in varying strengths: +1, +2, +3 diopters. Ask for 58mm size. Hoya make some - in fact I'm looking at mine right now. You can screw them into each other, so +2 with +3 will give you +5. You can get the camera really close and zoom right into your finger nail (should you so wish...) Robin

June 21st, 2004, 12:42 AM	#7
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	Thanks Robin, why is it though that Ken has said you can do it in manual focus alone? Have I missed something here? Oh btw it was the same (yesterday) when I tried to shoot pretty close to the subject (all in manual of course). __________________ Alan McC

June 21st, 2004, 01:10 AM	#8
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	<<<-- Originally posted by Alan McCormick : ...why is it though that Ken has said you can do it in manual focus alone? -->>> Because you can. The minimum focusing distance of the GL2's lens depends on its zoom position. At its widest position it will focus on a subject at a distance of just 3/8". The close-up photo diopters that Robin suggested may provide some magnification but I've never used them on a GL2. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 21st, 2004, 01:34 AM	#9
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	The whole point of using the close up adapters is that you can zoom with them at a closer distance to the subject than without. The minimum focal distance is normally only about three feet. With the dioptres, it can be under 12 inches. You can certainly keep things in focus close to the lens normally, but only at the widest setting of the zoom. With the adapters you can really get into close ups - and use the facility of the zoom to get the size picture you need. Robin

June 21st, 2004, 04:03 AM	#10
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	The major advantage of the close-up adapters is that you have some stand-off distance and can light the material. while filling he frame with a small subject. Canon and Century offer some high quality close-up adapters as well. Canon's model is 250D in 58mm (cat. no. CZ6-2811). A bit pricy, but very high quality glass. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

June 21st, 2004, 07:32 AM	#11
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	Thanks guys' great advice as normal, I will look out for the adaptors for any specific shoot I may be on in the future ;) __________________ Alan McC

June 21st, 2004, 12:23 PM	#12
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Century is still having a sale on their filters, and you can still get their Series 9 diopters for $50 bucks each. You'll need an adapter ring. This is a good deal -- they retail for over $500 normally. Get the dual element diopters (not drop in).

June 21st, 2004, 03:41 PM	#13
Michael Connor Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Durham, England Posts: 138	Thanks everyone. Yea i want to be able to shoot right close up to things like leaves/flowers etc so that they fill the picture, on a full zoom. So that i can pull out for a stunning effect. Yea fredrico i get you in that you can focus close, but the idea is that you can go right in on a subject with lots of details, or even home in on a particular part of the subject. Someone in this forum wanted to zoom right into an eye so just the black centre was visible, and then pull out to reveal the full eye. Maybee difficult, but you get the idea. Thanks everyone again, of to try and find some lenses i think, here in the uk. __________________ StMichael