On Thu, 17 May 2001 19:51:27 GMT, Steve Hoffmann
>In article <3b0705bd.3698611@newsstand.cit.cornell.edu>, d_ruether@hotmail.com
>says...
>> On Thu, 17 May 2001 00:23:52 GMT, Steve Hoffmann
>>
>> >I'd like to do my own amateur level nature films. I've done quite a bit
>> >of 35mm telephoto and macro photography. For macro filming it seems that
>> >all of the DV cameras I've looked at will only focus close at their wide
>> >setting. This necessitates a very close approach to your subject. Are
>> >there any prosumer level DV cameras that have a close focus at their mid
>> >focal length range? I'd like to be able to fill the frame with a subject
>> >that is 1/2 long or so at an 8 to 12" subject to lens distance. I'd also
>> >like to have at least 15X optical zoom. Anybody got any suggestions? Are
>> >there lenses for the Canon XL that will fit these specs?
>> John Beale covers this well, above, but a few additions:
>> I've had excellent images using both single-element
>> "close-up lenses", as JB suggests (I like the no. 2 Nikon
>> for being able to shoot high-mag macro at max tele, but,
>> in the same shot, be able to zoom "wide" and get
>> infinity-focus for showing the location. Also, 2-element
>> "achromats" can be a little sharper (made by Nikon and
>> many others). If you need to use a moderate step-down ring
>> to fit the close-up attachment to the camera lens, this will
>> rarely cause vignetting, unlike with other lens attachments.
>> Macro in video is FUN! ;-) For long-lens work, the 20X zoom
>> of the GL-1 is hard to beat (though' for other reasons, this
>> is not a favorite camera of mine... [see my reviews at:
>> www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm ]).
>> For nature video, a good circular polarizer can be useful
>> for saturating color in some situations. It can be
>> especially nice when shooting into small patches of water
>> with reflections (and fall leaves in the water...;-) - try
>> rotating the filter while shooting - the results can
>> be amazing...
>Thanks to John and David for the information! I guess none of the
>prosumer level cameras have lenses that are capable of macro focus at
>decent subject to lens ranges without 'adapters'? I've seen such fabulous
>looking macro footage on some documentary films that I was hoping that
>this capability was available to us amateurs...:^(
It is - just add a simple and inexpensive close-up
lens or achromat... The results can be amazingly
sharp-looking. BTW, even for (more critical, in
terms of optical requirements) still work, the
achromat solution is a good one. Check out the
"Bugs" section on my web page - these images are
critically sharp in the originals, and several were
made with a Sigma achromat on the front of a Nikkor
non-macro 200mm f4 tele, on a TC-14A - at about
3X magnification of the subject on film, this
combination is first-rate, and better than most
macro lenses I've used. Don't dismiss lens
attachments as somehow "inferior"...;-)
>I'm aware of telephoto
>attachments and 2 element diopters but was hoping to go for maximum image
>quality with an appropriate lens without adapters. In any case, I don't
>think there are any accessory lens adapters that will fit on my Elura 2.
>It's got such a small lens.....
You can fit larger adapters, using step-up rings...
Go to it! ;-)