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Macro Photography: DLSRs v. Bridge (Prosumer) Cameras
Until I bought my MPE-65 macro lens I regularly used a Panasonic FZ30 for macro photography alongisde my DLSR and Sigma 150mm lens.
The Panasonic FZ30 is a so-called bridge camera (such cameras are meant to bridge the gap between compact cameras and DSLRs) and when coupled with a close-up
lens such as the Raynox DCR150 is capable of producing excellent macro images. But surely the Sigma 150 out performs it? In some circumstances yes, in others no.
The advantage that bridge cameras have over DSLRs is a smaller sensor. Although this tends to produce more noise, it also provides greater depth of field which
is crucial in macro photography. The FZ30+DCR150 therefore excels at full frame images of small insects such as hoverflies. The level of magnification required
to produce good images of small insects such as these is very high and the greater the degree of magnification the shallower the depth of field. In a DSLR
this would mean that a very small aperture would be required which would tend to result in a very slow shutterspeed, not always practical in an
outdoor environment. However, the greater depth of field of the bridge camera means that an aperture of perhaps f8 is enough to provide a highly detailed image.
The other advantage of the FZ30 is that it has in-built image stabilisation which reduces camera shake allowing images to be taken handheld. Very few
macro lenses have image stabilisation and hence a tripod is often required for macro photography with DSLRs.
By way of example, the following hoverfly images were all taken with an FZ30 with a Raynox DCR150 close-up lens fitted:
By way of example, the following hoverfly images were all taken with an FZ30 with a Raynox DCR150 close-up lens fitted:
Helophilus pendulus f6.3, 1/125, ISO 80, handheld.
Eristalis sp. f7.1, 1/160, ISO 100, handheld.
Spaerophoria scripta f7.1, 1/160, ISO 80, handheld.
Helophilus pendulus f7.1, 1/100, ISO 80, handheld.
Note the aperture values between f6.3 and 7.1. To take images of this nature with a DSLR would require apertures in the region of at least f13 which would tend to result in very slow shutter speeds in all but the best light. The slightest hint of a breeze would then lead to soft images. The only solution to this problem is to use flash, but images with strong flash tend to look slightly artificial and often suffer from unaturally dark backgrounds.
So if bridge cameras are so great at macro why does anyone bother investing in DSLRs and macro lenses? One drawback of the FZ30 set-up described above is that you have to get very close to the insects, often around 6 to 8 inches (15-20cm). This can prove to be very difficult, particularly when photographing skittish insects such as dragonflies, damselfies and butterflies. The advantage of DSLRs with macro lenses is that there is a much greater 'working distance' between the lens and the insect. The greater the focal length of the lens, the greater the working distance. A lens such as the Sigma 150mm allows 1:1 reproduction from 15 inches (38cm) away and frame filling shots of dragonflies can be taken from several feet away. The other advantage of DSLRs is that image quality is slightly superior, particularly in terms of noise at higher ISOs.
Although it is possible to take dragonfly or butterfly images with the FZ30+DCR150 set-up, it does require the insects to be very tame! In general, DSLRs have a clear advantage here. So images such as the following, where skittish insects are exposed and away from undergrowth, would have been extremely difficult with the FZ30 set-up.
Note the aperture values between f6.3 and 7.1. To take images of this nature with a DSLR would require apertures in the region of at least f13 which would tend to result in very slow shutter speeds in all but the best light. The slightest hint of a breeze would then lead to soft images. The only solution to this problem is to use flash, but images with strong flash tend to look slightly artificial and often suffer from unaturally dark backgrounds.
So if bridge cameras are so great at macro why does anyone bother investing in DSLRs and macro lenses? One drawback of the FZ30 set-up described above is that you have to get very close to the insects, often around 6 to 8 inches (15-20cm). This can prove to be very difficult, particularly when photographing skittish insects such as dragonflies, damselfies and butterflies. The advantage of DSLRs with macro lenses is that there is a much greater 'working distance' between the lens and the insect. The greater the focal length of the lens, the greater the working distance. A lens such as the Sigma 150mm allows 1:1 reproduction from 15 inches (38cm) away and frame filling shots of dragonflies can be taken from several feet away. The other advantage of DSLRs is that image quality is slightly superior, particularly in terms of noise at higher ISOs.
Although it is possible to take dragonfly or butterfly images with the FZ30+DCR150 set-up, it does require the insects to be very tame! In general, DSLRs have a clear advantage here. So images such as the following, where skittish insects are exposed and away from undergrowth, would have been extremely difficult with the FZ30 set-up.
Common Darter, Canon 400D with Sigma 150mm lens and 2x teleconverter
f7.1, 1/100, ISO 200, tripod.
f7.1, 1/100, ISO 200, tripod.
Green Shield Bug, Canon 400D with Sigma 150mm lens
f13, 1/60, ISO 400, tripod.
f13, 1/60, ISO 400, tripod.
Banded Demoiselle, Canon 400D with Sigma 150mm lens
f8, 1/200, ISO 200, tripod.
f8, 1/200, ISO 200, tripod.
Emerald Damselflies Mating, Canon 400D with Sigma 150mm lens and 2x teleconverter
f7.1, 1/200, ISO 400, tripod.
So, anyone wanting to do macro photography without spending the large amount needed to buy a DSLR and macro lens should give careful consideration to a bridge camera such as a Panasonic FZ30 or FZ50 or one of the Fuji range (e.g. the Fuji S7000 or S9500).
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f7.1, 1/200, ISO 400, tripod.
So, anyone wanting to do macro photography without spending the large amount needed to buy a DSLR and macro lens should give careful consideration to a bridge camera such as a Panasonic FZ30 or FZ50 or one of the Fuji range (e.g. the Fuji S7000 or S9500).
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