Olympus 3040 getting better

[ridetheducati]

http://home.covad.net/~tonygolden/Slimer%20Macro.jpg

12 inches from subject
no flash
F/2.8

[Corpus Callosum]

Great Pic !

Is that with the macro on? I was thinking about upgrading from my Olympus D490 to the C3040, considering I have a 2 megapixel, but to tell you the truth I'd expect more out of a 3 megapixel camera. Maybe there really isn't that much difference ?

[ridetheducati]

Yes, picture is taken in the Macro mode. I really wanted the Nikon 995. Too much money.

Correction, my camera is the 3020Z.

Its not bad. Especially since I learned about the Macro trick.

[badu11]

whats the macro trick?

[ridetheducati]

Bear with me.

Here it goes:

Place camera into full autofocus
Do not use digital zoom
Place camera into Macro mode
Zoom all the way in on subject

Now the tricky part

Tap the zoom button out 4 times
take your time
Move the camera to/fro to focus object

Now you should be able to take great Macro shots

Best results: use tripod and timer

Let me know if directions are not clear.

[ReefDream]

I have a 3040 and I take macros all the time at about 8 inches. I never had to do any special tricks. The only thing I did was make certain the focus is on point focus, not the default which is field focus. I always use the fully automatic mode because I don't know how that much about photography. Here're a few I took of tiny frags (click to make bigger):

<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~domitron2/reefcentral/coral/babyblueacro.jpg"><img src="http://home.attbi.com/~domitron2/reefcentral/coral/babyblueacro_sml.jpg">
</a>
<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~domitron2/reefcentral/coral/greenacro.jpg"><img src="http://home.attbi.com/~domitron2/reefcentral/coral/greenacro_sml.jpg">
</a>
<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~domitron2/reefcentral/coral/purpleacro.jpg"><img src="http://home.attbi.com/~domitron2/reefcentral/coral/purpleacro_sml.jpg">
</a>

[ReefDream]

Oh, and sci33, I upgraded from a 490. There are many differences between the Olympus 3040 and the 490, and collectively they are very significant. The improvement in quality is very easy to see, and if you are into total control of the camera, the Olympus 3040 is head and shoulders better in that regard especially.

[ridetheducati]

Reefdream,

Try the macro trick. You can get to the polyp level.


Good pix.

[neuroracer]

ridetheducati,
I have a c3000, and when you say macro, do you mean the little flower setting on the top for closeups? (how technical ;-))
I've been enabling the digital zoom, then zooming in and using a magnifying glass for extra closeup and going from there. It would probably be easier with tripod for sure...

neuroracer

[ridetheducati]

Yes, macro equals flower. :D

I am not sure if the macro trick will work with the 3000.

[neuroracer]

Okay here's my attempt at a frag in my tank (looks so much alike maybe I snuck into your house and took the same pic) j/k anyway, see how bleached my pic is? What would cause that?
I need to take a photography class.....

neuroracer

p.s. so is the Ducati the awesome bike that its reputation suggests? My husband and I both ride but haven't had the chance to try a Ducati....

[ridetheducati]

Try taking the same shot without the flash. I think you will be happy with the outcome.

Yes, the Ducati is an awesome bike. Love it. Its two years old and have enjoyed every mile. I only had one problem with the bike. The speedometer would act erractically. I could be rolling 120mph but the speedo would record 30mph.

Ducati fixed the problem. The only down side is most of the parts have to come from Italy. Which means 3-4 week turn around.

I get tons of looks. Ducati's have the mystique.

[neuroracer]

Actually that shot was without the flash. I never use the flash because it seems useless and actually makes the pics worse when I do.

neuroracer

[ridetheducati]

I bought the B-Macro lens last night. I am still experimenting with it.

Will post some pix later tonight.

In search of the elusive 1:1.