Panasonic Lumix FZ1000.2 Options for close up work August 2023

FZ1000.2 with +3 achromat CU lens. The little spider is about 8x10mm and waving about in the breeze. I got more shots in focus with the FZ1000.2 than with the Canon EOS R5 with RF 100mm f2.8 L Macro combination. The Canon combination produced just detectably sharper results when focus was achieved but I had to pixel peep at 100% to detect this

 The Lumix FZ1000.2 can function as an effective device for close-up photography.

In this post I discuss three options.

First we need to allocate Macro settings to one of the function buttons. I have it on the [Fn8/LVF] button on the left side of the EVF eyepiece. Here it is readily accessible but is away from the main control panel on the right side as viewed by the operator when using the camera.

Macro Zoom 

This option is for JPG capture. We set [Quality] to JPG then set [Macro Zoom]  and  A on the Mode Dial. Focal lengths indicated range from 25-75mm. The camera will focus very close to the subject in this mode, in fact too close for many little subjects.

Although this function is convenient my tests show that it delivers disappointing image quality with poor definition and smudged details.  

AF Macro

This works with either JPG or RAW capture.  The full range of focal lengths is available. My tests show that the smallest horizontal field of view (HFV) of 96mm, in other words the greatest magnification, is achieved at an indicated focal length of 70.

This gives a decently workable distance between camera and subject and is useful for many types of close-up requirement. I use this for most of my native wildflower photos. It is also suitable for large insects and similar.

We can use f8 or f11 for best overall result taking into account sharpness and depth of field with close ups using this method.

For moving subjects like flowers waving in the breeze we can use continuous autofocus and burst Mode M with a decently useful percentage of sharp results.

Image quality is very good across the frame.

AF Macro with close-up lens.

We can use a screw-in close-up lens to give us greater magnification if required. I use a Marumi 62mm Achromat 330 (+3) which I simply screw onto the front thread of the 62mm protect filter which I leave on the camera all the time. This gives a minimum horizontal field of view of 71mm at an indicated focal length of 160.  Somewhat to my surprise I find this simple, inexpensive setup delivers very good image quality across the frame with very good detail rendition.  Full autofocus and auto exposure function is retained on the FZ1000.2 including continuous autofocus for moving subjects. For AUD150 we can have a simple, compact solution to close-up photography requirements which for most purposes delivers results which are difficult to distinguish from those obtained with an expensive macro lens on a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.

 There are several brands of twin lens achromat similar to the Marumi  with several receiving positive reports from users.

With Achromat +3 close up accessory lens

RAW AF Macro without accessory lens

JPG Macro zoom

Summary

The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000.2 is a handy and effective device for making close-up photos particularly in the field where specialised macro gear is not available.