Sony DSC-HX100V - Tip - Macro Still Pictures and Video - BinaryCafe [HD1080]

Hey--where's the macro mode on the HX100V?!? If you hold the camera close to an object, the camera will display a macro icon; however, it tends to toggle on and off. This doesn't instill confidence, since the camera tends to lose its focus on the object. Things seemed a bit easier on earlier camera models, when you could just press a button and "know" that you're in macro mode. Unfortunately, there are no easy options or buttons to accomplish this on the HX100V.

In this tips and tricks video, Michael demonstrates a workaround that can be achieved by using the 'manual focus' mode and focus ring on the HX100V. He discusses the challenge at hand, demonstrates how to modify the settings, then provides a 3rd person perspective of capturing video and still pictures by using the camera's manual focus mode to achieve fixed-length focus for macro imaging. He even overcomes his dislike of getting close to spiders, coming just inches away from a couple of them to demonstrate how it all comes together.

3rd person perspective video was shot with a Kodak PlaySport ZX5 portable HD camcorder

Note that achieving good results in hand held modes can be a challenge, especially when photographing moving subjects like insects. Getting the right focus comes with practice, a blend of holding the camera steady under good lighting conditions, and...well, a little bit of luck never hurts. For example, the spiders didn't jump on Michael during the shoot. Yeah, that would have made a good outtake reel, right?

If you're going to purchase the HX100V, please consider purchasing from Amazon. Using these links won't cost you anything extra, but will help support BinaryCafe.

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Sony DSC-HX100V
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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Macro mode
• Close ups
• Photography
• Technology
• HD Video
• Spiders
• Flowers
• BinaryCafe
• HD1080
• High-definition video

[humxa24]

can u zoom in while manual focus is active?

[BinaryCafe]

@humxa24 - Yes, you can zoom when you're in manual focus mode.

[dudewheresmydvd]

How about zooming in close on an object (say the spider) from about 3 feet away (not point blank). On all of the auto settings and manually I just get a 'big' blur. It is really frustrating because I need to take some nice close ups of items I am selling and with a tripod a foot away from what I am taking pictures of I cannot focus in close using the zoom. I can take a picture point blank (like you did with the spider) and I can take pictures at a distance. Am I missing a trick or something?

[BinaryCafe]

@dudewheresmydvd - Just make sure you're in scene mode, have a setting like landscape selected, and the camera is in manual focus mode. You'll have to play around with the dial to get the focus in the right spot. It can be tricky, but once you find the sweet spot you should be able to get a sharp image...

[BinaryCafe]

0:10 - Introduction/Overview

1:20 - Set up camera for manual focus (still pictures)

4:20 - Set up camera for manual focus/macro (video)

5:32 - [Demonstration] Using manual focus ring for video

7:20 - [Demonstration] Shooting macro video of spiders

9:00 - [Demonstration] Shooting macro still pictures of spiders

[Hariz27]

Nice video micheal, the manual focus ring is not so precise in movement but still awesome.

One could sense the tension in your breathing and voice, while shooting the spideys :p

[BinaryCafe]

@Hariz27 - Yes, the manual focus ring is a bit difficult to manipulate. It takes several twists and turns to get it to move, even a little bit; however, if you turn it fast, it sometimes jumps too far.

I'm SO glad those little guys didn't jump on me...yikes!

[mata1two]

I use tracking focus in auto modes and have found it quite successful. Allows you to move around a bit with the object in focus.

[mrclausholm]

Yo! Got job beating the spiders (since you're scared of them) But when you said and took a 10MP Picture instead of a 16MP Picture... was that just to save space? Or is there some trick with that?

[Sunshine4Cells]

@dudewheresmydvd I use zoom, and I've had good success. On my page you can see a video of a flower I shot...I didn't adjust anything, just zoomed in and it looked great.

[SimplyDesTV]

Does anyone know how to use to put the video in defocus?? I really hope this camera can defocus in video as well. :/

[AndreasNV]

this would give me useful information if i WASN'T SO DISTRACTED BY THE MONSTER lol

[GordonDipple]

Just bought a ZX5, well please with the macro function, check out the results at my "Chaddesley Wood Close Up" video

[CelineDionFan4568]

where do you live??!?!? it's so pretty! :3