G9 Internal Macro mode vs External macro lens

[Adriaan557]

We just returned from Thailand where I took some macro photo’s with my Ixus 850Is (in macro mode). I was not too impressed with the macro mode, as I had too bring the camera very close to the subject to get a half decent shot, and too close meant auto focus did not work, and using a little zoom only confused the auto focus even more… Thus I was very frustrated in the end. Fair enough this is not the best camera to use because you have almost no manual control, which I am used too being a DSLR man above water. (at this stage I think a DSLR housing is too much of an expense and bulky to warrant my limited diving experience).
The good news is that I’m getting a G9 for my birthday!!!

So now the question I want to ask all the macro experts is: Is it worth it getting the add on macro lens, as apposed to using the internal macro function? How big a difference will it make especially in getting close to the subject and using auto focus? As said I’m not that an experienced diver yet, so ideally my style would be a quick frame, focus and shoot as opposed to lingering around the same spot for longer trying to manual focus etc…

I really love the macro shots some of the guys have posted here (especially Ed), and would like to try my hand at it as well so any help, tips and ideas would be much appreciated. As it stands I'm a bit clueless

Thanks
Adrian (Steen)

 

[Zeeman]

I think it is worth it. I had an A640, and had to be damn near on top of a subject for good macro.

You can try using the zoom, but it never really worked so well for me.

 

[ejg62]

I recently purchased a Canon G9 and I am still getting used to it. However, I do want to reply on your comments regarding the need to be close to the subject for macro shots. Actually that is exactly the purpose of macro mode - the ability to focus on the subject when it is extremely close to the lens.

With regards to Canon G9: the Normal mode will focus on a subject that is between 19.6" to infinity, while macro mode is 0.3" - 19.6" from the subject. One nice feature of Macro mode is it can also focus on subjects greater than 19.6" from the subject.

On nice feature in the Macro Mode: I can zoom in to greater than 19.6" and the camera will switch to normal mode. I must state the "normal" under macro is not the same as under normal mode. It is more difficult to get the correct range in Macro mode beyond 19.6".

I suggest stopping by a camera store and play around with the camera to see how it works.

ejg1272

 

[Kevster]

I was playing with my S70 last night.
I have been using the Canon S70 for a while with 1 UCL macro wet lens.
At Xmas I bought another UCL.

Last night was the 1st time I tried the double mounted UCL.
Initial results were terrible. The camera could not find focus either in Normal mode or Macro mode. A common problem with the S70 with & without the Wet lens.

Decided to try to use the manual focus function and was amazed with the results.
Using manual focus I could even use a lot of the zoom …

Using manual focus you have to reposition the camera back and forth to find the focus point, but once you get the hang of this it is great..

Looking forward to trying this out underwater.