Can a Raynox DCR-250 work well on the Panasonic GF3 14-42mm kit lens for macro?
Asked 12/31/2011
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I have a Panasonic Lumix GF3 with the 14-42mm kit lens and I’m getting back into photography. I bought a Raynox DCR-250 close-up macro attachment and want to know whether it can produce good macro results on the kit lens, or if I really need a longer telephoto-style lens to get decent shots.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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With a macro converter like the DCR 250 you are going to be trying to balance between getting a workable depth of field (creatively interesting, but challenging) with longer lenses, and getting rid of vignetting when shooting wide.
I've found similar setups require a lot of care in setting up, but your stock lens should, especially when racked out, be able capable of capturing solid images.
Here are a few examples of images taken (not by myself) with similar setup to yours (all at 42mm) to give you an idea of what is possible:
Originally by user4843. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4843
14y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — the Raynox DCR-250 can give good macro results with the GF3’s 14-42mm kit lens. A telephoto lens is not strictly required.
With this kind of close-up attachment, the main trade-offs are:
- At wider focal lengths, you may see vignetting.
- At longer focal lengths, depth of field becomes very shallow, which can look great but is harder to manage.
On a kit zoom like the 14-42mm, you’ll generally want to use the longer end of the lens (around 42mm) to reduce vignetting and get more usable macro images. Expect the setup to require careful positioning and focusing, since close-up work is naturally demanding.
So, your stock lens should be capable of solid macro images with the DCR-250, especially when zoomed out toward the long end. A telephoto lens may change the working distance and handling, but it isn’t necessary just to get decent results.
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