Macros with Coolpix P610

One of the my viewers pointed out that I hadn't covered using the Coolpix P610 for shooting macros. With this video, I hope I address that missing piece of information.
In this video I discuss using the Coolpix P610 close-up mode for shooting what many refer to as macro photos. While this provides very good close-up photos, they are not true macro photos, which require at least a full-size image on the sensor. To add to the excellent close-up capability, I add the Raynox DCR-250 macro adapter to the Coopix P610. This provides excellent macro capability.
I also include a sample of focus-stacking. This provides more depth of field by using multiple photos stacked with software.
I hope this video creates more interest in shooting close-up and macro photos with this great camera.
All macro shots were done with the Nikon Coolpix P610, either in close-up focus mode or with the Raynox DCR-250 adapter. Still documentation photos were shot with the Panasonic DMC-TZ5. Video documentation was shot with the Panasonic HC-V250 camcorder. Focus stacking frames were shot with the P610 and the Raynox DCR-250 mounted on a modified version of my Universal Camera Time-Lapse Slider to make it a motorized focusing rail. Focus stacking was done with enfuse.exe from the Hugin installatiion. Final video was created using Sony Movie Studio.

[@joshuaerkman1444]

Most Professional, in depth, and informational tutorial I have seen this year. Excellent Work. Thank you.

[@MontanaMonk]

Thank you very much for the comments. Made my day. Thank you for viewing.

[@jordanphilipperris]

@@MontanaMonk Thanks so much for the link to this vid, this definitely looks like it is worth it :) At the 6:27 mark, I was just wondering what filter you have on your camera? :) And Joshua Erkman' comment is 100% correct😎 I have been looking through other vidz for this Camera and coming across your tutorials is an absolute godsent, especially for beginners like myself👍 Lastly, I was just wondering if you could go into more detail for me (What buttons to press, menu options to use) about how exactly you were able to get the full head (Eyes and all) in such good focus? :)

[@MontanaMonk]

@@jordanphilipperris The filter that I have on the camera is just a UV filter. It is only for protection of the lens rather than for any filtration it might provide. To get things in focus over a relatively long distance with extreme macro shooting, you must utilize focus stacking software. This software creates a final image by using the in-focus parts of multiple images. So, as far as your involvement with the camera goes, you just set it in front of you subject, pointed along the axis the camera will travel; set the camera to manual focus; focus on the nearest part of the subject and begin shooting. After each shot, you move the camera forward a small amount. Continue until you have the number of shots necessary to cover the depth you want in focus. Then combine all images with stacking software. You don't refocus the camera during the distance changes, since the fixed focus will focus on a different plane of the subject with each movement of the camera. For this video my camera was mounted on a rail that could move the camera forward in small increments, about .5 mm each time an exposure was made. The movement and shutter release was controlled by an Arduino microcomputer which controlled a stepper motor and a small servo (the kind used to control model aircraft). You can purchase such rails, but they are a bit expensive if you only use them infrequently. I designed my rail and built it for about $50, although that money has certainly made other projects, since the parts are very versatile, so the cost per project is quite small. There are focus rails that can be manually changed, but at these magnifications, it is difficult to keep the camera position while changing focus. Too often you will move the camera up/down/sideways when you change the camera distance or even when manually releasing the shutter. While some software is good enough to compensate for those changes if the changes are relatively small, the free software I used will not compensate too well. For the final image, 20 images were stacked using enfuse, which is part of the Hugin installation. The software is free and can be downloaded at: hugin.sourceforge.io/download/ I have also used CombineZP to stack photos and it works pretty well. It is available at:combinezp.software.informer.com/download/ Both software are still free. There are many other stackers that probably do a better job, but must be purchased. Focus stacking can be done with hundreds of images and are not limited to macro and micro photography, although macro and micro shooting probably require stacking more than other kinds of photography.

[@jordanphilipperris]

@@MontanaMonk Thanks :)

[@MrAkihiros]

Exceptional how-to video as always. Systematic, precise, and very clear. Thanks!

[@teramitchel7873]

This is an excellent video about macro for the Coolpic P610. The instruction was clear to the point and easy-to-understand thank you very much.

[@97AnnieM]

This is so helpful thank you! And you’re photographs are amazing :)

[@GroundPounder]

I picked up a lot of tips to help me with close up and macro shooting with my 610. Thank-you.

[@shuswaptoy]

Once again, an excellent tutorial that is very helpful and illuminating, please keep up the good work.

[@michpanda]

I just got my camera and your tutorials are exactly what I needed, thank you for it, saludos desde México.

[@pauln9625]

Thank you for the video. I mainly needed to see how to do macro with a Nikon on AF. Had no idea I had to set to macro in order to do that. I figured it would adjust on its own in auto-focus mode. Again, thank you VERY much for posting this video. I'll need to come back for the other details you share. Looks very informative.

[@lorrainefurmanic8335]

Great tutorials :) I've loved using my camera in auto and also the scene selector modes but I am now ready to learn how to create my own photographs - these videos are so much easier to learn rather than reading the booklet Thnx !!!

[@makybediva100]

Such a great teacher. Thank you.

[@maniqau]

I was waiting for such a helpful video in Nov 2018, and just found yours. Thank you 👍

[@ALBERTOHERNANDEZFOTOGRAFO]

gracias!!!! hoy por la noche llego a practicar todo lo que muestra, bendiciones.

[@Aveenged]

Another great tutorial ! Thank's again !

[@Naturelover.21]

please make some videos on macro for p900

[@MontanaMonk]

The P900 will perform similarly to the P610 for macro work, so all hints in the P610 macro video apply to the P900. The DCR-250 snap-on macro lens will also work with the P900 and will provide high quality macro images. As with the P610, the P900 macro capability will require zooming to eliminate vignetting of the image. Use of a tripod and focus rail will help considerably in getting the best images. You might also want to try focus stacking if using the DCR-250, since the depth of focus is very shallow. Using focus stacking of several images with stacking software like CombineZP, you can create even more impressive macro images. Thank you for comments and thank you for viewing.

[@Naturelover.21]

@@MontanaMonk I am Thankful you replied and made it very clear. Namste :)

[@rosalindbowering3517]

I have a Nikon P510 I am looking to upgrade to a P610, I love the fact I can point and shoot or spend a little more time to set up a macro shot, still learning.

[@MontanaMonk]

I compared many of the specifications between the P510 and the P610. The two don't seem much different. The P610 has a little more zoom and 1080-60 video. Most other characteristics are the same, or at least very similar. I love my P610 but it is now a fairly old model (by digital camera standards) and while it is still available, I don't believe Nikon is still manufacturing it. In the Nikon line, the B700 or the P900 would probably be worth looking at for an upgrade. I would also look at the Canon Powershot SX60 HS. Thank you for comments and thank you for viewing.

[@teramitchel7873]

Very cool! Thank you very for your video it was very helpful.

[@edmulholland6207]

Great video well done Thank you

[@moiqbal9803]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@evsbichon]

Very helpful video addressing a photo skill I hope to focus on soon. This is very much appreciated as are your other Coolpix p610 videos. Would like to know is it intuitive, and fairly easy to actually use the Raynox DCR-250 macro lens successfully, or is it one of those tools that really has a steep learning curve to use it correctly? I also have a p900 - assume the DCR-250 work the same on it. Thank you. Evelyn

[@MontanaMonk]

The Raynox DCR-250 is very easy to use. Just snap onto the front of the lens and move the camera back and forth until you find focus. This technique is true for most macro work. The more you zoom, the larger the image. It will take a little practice finding the proper focus distance for different zoom levels, but it won't take long. Just use a tripod because with the magnification you get, hand-holding will not be stable. Thank you for questions and comments and thank you for viewing.

[@shashinkan99]

thanks a lot for doing this videos

[@aswanipanicker1383]

You are a good tutor...Thanks

[@aswanipanicker1383]

Good video...i want to buy Raynox dcr-250..but its too expensive...please tell me which one is cheaper

[@MontanaMonk]

You could try a close-up lens set. They are fairly inexpensive (about $10-$20). I tested my 10x close-up lens held in front of the P610. It magnifies very well but the image is not as good as with the Raynox lens. These close-up lenses are typically screw in rather than clip on, so be sure you have spacing in front of the lens to clear the housing when the lens retracts (see my video "Coolpix P610 Filter Threads Revisited" at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXuzoouaqb9-q6c). You can find many such lenses on Amazon or at most photography stores. Thanks for questions and comments. Thank you for viewing.

[@aswanipanicker1383]

Thanks for the reply....Thank you very much

[@soumilyade1057]

Thanks .. I didn't know my camera is not this useful

[@apldeap005]

Thanks! How can I activate the Raw format?

[@MontanaMonk]

Sorry, the P610 does not have RAW format. Thanks for questions and thank you for viewing.

[@MyGamingIsLegal]

Thanks for the video, this was pretty useful. Do you think in the near future you could make a in-depth video on Night sky and star shots including long exposures using the P610?

[@MontanaMonk]

+MyGamingIsLegal I have that in the queue. Weather hasn't been too good for it. I should be back at it soon. Thank you for comments and for viewing.

[@camilocamargo9099]

Thank youuu very much i was looking for this tutorial long time ago, really nice, thanks thanks ¡¡

[@hajeralmaliki7312]

Great video! Thank you :)

[@isy2204]

Hi Monk, does the macro with a B700 works the same as the p610? Thanks for your answer

[@MontanaMonk]

The macro capability on the B700 should be the same as the P610. The threads on the B700 are the same as the P610, so the same attachments should work. Just use care when screwing the attachments to the lens because the the threads are very short and be sure that the attachments won't bind with the housing when the lens closes. I always leave a 52mm filter on the camera and attach other filters to it to insure that nothing will bind on the housing. Thanks you for questions and thank you for viewing.

[@CraigDZN]

do you know of any remote shutters for the Nikon Coolpix P610?

[@MontanaMonk]

+Craig DZN I am not aware of any remote shutter releases for the P610. However, you can use a cell phone as a remote control for shooting using the wireless capability in the camera. You just need the free app and you can connect the phone and camera and shoot and download from your phone. Hope this helps. Thank you for viewing and for your comments.

[@MontanaMonk]

+Craig DZN Also tested remote control with Nikon WMU on an iPad and on an Android tablet. Both worked fine. You can control zoom and where the photos are stored. You can also view photos stored on the phone or tablet as well as those stored on the camera. Makes a pretty good control. Software is free so if you have a compatible phone or tablet, this is a cheap way to get remote shutter control.

[@CraigDZN]

+MontanaMonk OK thanks was just checking because I wanted to try a HDR timelapse

[@randy1t728]

Many Thanks-Well documented Finally got me shooting decent makro shots with the P610

[@marbob63]

How close can the camera be to the object when shooting a micro? It seems to loose focus when you take the picture.

[@MontanaMonk]

The camera will focus to about 1/2 inch from the subject in the micro mode. However, any motion of the camera will be evident, since the depth of focus is very shallow. You should have the camera on a tripod and use the timer to delay the shutter after you press the shutter release so your hand motion doesn't move the camera during exposure. I also use manual focus for critical situations but still use a tripod and timer to make sure nothing moves. With really bright light, I can hand hold the camera pretty well, but it takes practice and I usually brace myself against something. Thanks for questions and comments and thank you for viewing.

[@aswanipanicker1383]

could you please suggest a amazon link in india

[@aswanipanicker1383]

Thank youuuuu.......

[@day_dreamer_dan]

Hello I have been following your channel since many years now and it is the go-to place for ke when I have questions on my Nikon p610. I have been facing some issues with the Nikon WMU app and I need your advice. Earlier i was able to click then transfer videos to my phone from the camera using this app but lately it simply does not transfer. On the app it lets me chose the video I want to download and displays a progress bar but as soon as it gets to a 100% the app simply restarts and no video is downloaded. I'm unable to understand what to do. Below are things I have tried Camera/mobile settings reset Used older version of the wmu app Tried downloading multiple/single videos Nothing seems to work. Please help.

[@MontanaMonk]

I really don't use the WMU app for downloading. I typically just plug the SD card into my card reader for downloads since I do most editing on the computer. I looked at the documentation for the WMU app and it indicates that it does not download video. From Manual page 17: Movies The Wireless Mobile Utility can not be used to view or download movies. I just ordered an USB universal reader which I think might allow loading to an iPad or iPhone directly from the memory card, which isn't quite as convenient as it might be with the app. I will post another reply when I have checked out the function of this adapter after I receive it. Sorry I can't help more on this. Thank you for comments and questions and thank you for viewing.

[@day_dreamer_dan]

@@MontanaMonk thank you so much for that reply and going through the manual. I wasn't aware they have restricted movie/video download. I have been using the apps ever since i bought the camera because of the convenience of not having to physically take out the card and transfer externally. Also since I asked this question i have found out the video (only the first video if multiple are selected) does get transferred to the mobile device and can be viewed using a file manager app (it does not show up in the gallery, using an android) I think it is something to do with the video format .MOV are you aware of anyway I change the video record format to .MP4 or something. Maybe that would do the trick and i would be able to transfer via the app once again. Thank you for your time and sorry to bother you with needless research.

[@MontanaMonk]

It looks like MOV format is all you have with the P610. I don't know of any other tricks to get it to work. I tinkered with trying to get connected to the camera network bypassing the app, but no success. I'll let you know if I find another route.

[@day_dreamer_dan]

@@MontanaMonk thank you sir. Meanwhile i have also written to Nikon support will keep you posted if I get something worthwhile from them. Have a great day.

[@umarzook]

Thanks a lot bro. possible kindly upload some extreme macro on tiny diamonds approx 2 to 10 mm size and camera, lightings and lens kit which you recomend with low budget. regards.

[@MontanaMonk]

I don't have any diamonds to shoot for a test, but if you have a DSLR camera with a 28mm lens, you can use a lens reversing adapter to mount the lens backward on the camera. I would also recommend an adapter for the normal mount end of the lens to control the aperture. If the lens has a manual aperture control, you can control aperture with that. The 28mm lens on a dx camera should provide a field width of around 4mm-5mm, which should provide a reasonable image of the smallest diamonds. A zoom lens or longer focal length lens would be used for the larger diamonds. A flat black background, velvet works well, with a bright light on the diamonds, adjusted as necessary, should provide a good image. The setup I showed in the macros video would work, but would not provide as sharp an image as the reversing ring. The adapter will cost in the range of $15-$40. It is only low budget if you already have access to the camera. Hope this helps. Thank you for questions and comments. Thank you for viewing.

[@djg145]

Hello, when I am setting my 'P' settings, my AF area mode is not 'open' so I cannot adjust this, also unavailable is the Autofocus mode.

[@MontanaMonk]

I suspect that you have Manual Focus selected. Both AF Area Mode and Autofocus Mode are unavailable if you have manual focus selected. Thank you for questions and comments and thank you for viewing.

[@giovanegouveia3642]

exelente video amigo! aprendi muito com ele.

[@eduardgarciaribera1516]

Thank's for the video. Sorry, the focus distance and Field width are with or without Raynox 250? With Raynox must also select macro mode in the camera?

[@MontanaMonk]

+Eduard Garcia Ribera Distances and widths are with Raynox. You can use normal focusing with it, but focusing is done more by moving the camera, since there is a very narrow range at which you can focus. Using the camera focus really just refines the focus a little. With a macro focus rail, you could just set the camera focus at infinity and just move the camera to focus. Thank you for comment and for viewing.

[@eduardgarciaribera1516]

+MontanaMonk Thank's!!!

[@chiefpygmy]

can you recommend a threaded telephoto lens for the 610?

[@MontanaMonk]

I haven't seen any telephoto add-on lenses that I would recommend for the Coolpix P610. All that I have looked at are for video cameras. Those cameras have far more threads that the P610, so can probably accommodate the added weight of a telephoto addition. They also typically have far less built-in zoom than the P610, so probably benefit from the added zoom. The threads on the P610 are very short and would be strained by a telephoto add-on lens attached. The macro attachment I use snaps on, so if it is bumped very much, it would probably just fall off without damaging the lens threads. At an equivalent focal length of 1440 mm, you are probably better just cropping the image from the maximum optical zoom or using the built-in digital zoom (just with Dynamic Fine Zoom -- blue range of digital zoom). Either method will probably provide a better image than you would get by using an add-on telephoto. Thank you for viewing and for comments.

[@darrenprice8110]

When I put my p610 into macro mode it. Doesn't automatically adjust the zoom to close up like yours did ? It just stays the same

[@MontanaMonk]

The default mode for the camera is to allow you to freely adjust the zoom level when in macro mode. I turned Zoom Memory - On (2:16 in video), which allowed me to see the zoom level in the viewfinder and makes it easier to change the zoom in increments. For most general shooting, I leave Zoom Memory - Off and adjust zoom as necessary. Even with Zoom Memory - On, the camera doesn't automatically adjust to a specific zoom level when you change to macro mode. There is a setting that will choose a specific zoom level when the camera is turned on. It is Startup Zoom Position. When you turn this On, you can choose the zoom level you want the lens set to when you turn the camera on. Thank you for viewing and for questions and comments.

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

Have p510. 2012 brother good zoom great pictures $300

[@voltronelectroteck]

Which camera is better for macro photography, cooplix p900 or p610?

[@MontanaMonk]

As far as image size for macro capability, both cameras are the same. The larger aperture might give the P900 a slight advantage in sharpness if stopped to the same aperture as the P610. The technical specifications on the cameras are pretty much the same, except for focal length, aperture. The P910 is larger and heavier. To get full macro capability (1:1) and a reasonable working distance on either camera requires adding a lens. Thank you for questions and comments and thank you for viewing.

[@ChileThailandtravel]

Thanks

[@DitoZBR]

Thank you!

[@SplinteredCompany]

Thanks for making the video! I am new to photography, and am unfortunately using only my Galaxy s7 smartphone, it is ok on the smaller screen, but I find that when I want to edit the pics on my desktop, the pics come out a lot less focused and not as good quality. I want to get a deignated cheap camera and this seems to tick a lot of the boxes. But... Do you know how this stacks up against the Galaxy s7 camera? There's nothing worse than spending $350 on something that is less quality, if you know what I mean.

[@MontanaMonk]

While cell phone cameras can be useful, they don't provide the quality and flexibility of a dedicated camera, like the CoolPix P610. While the number of pixels is frequently the specification that many use for quality, it is only useful if it is part of the overall specifications. Two things that cell phones lack that most dedicated cameras have are better lenses and larger sensors. While the pixel count may be similar between two cameras, the larger sensor will win the quality competition. Better lenses include optical zoom and larger light gathering capability. Cell phones typically use digital zooming to enlarge the picture, whereas dedicated cameras normally use optical zooming (even though they have some digital zoom capability). Digital zooming is really cropping the image, throwing away pixels. Optical zooming keeps all the pixels and enlarges the image on the sensor. Larger lenses capture light better, providing better images in lower light situations. The P610 is a great camera, but there are many that are similar, but not necessarily at the same price. The Canon SX60HS and the CoolPix P900 are two cameras worth consideration, although I think both are more expensive than the P610. I chose the Canon for my granddaughter because it had a flash hot-shoe and an external mic jack. The P900 is great because it has a larger lens and more optical zoom capability (but it is physically larger and heavier). The Panasonic Lumix FZ70 and FZ80 are are also good choices and are near the price of the P610. I have Panasonic cameras and they have been very good. Hope this helps. Thank you for viewing and for questions and comments.

[@SplinteredCompany]

Your comment has helped, a lot! I never thought about the size of the lense factor, and the amount of light that a designated camera can catch(?) compared to a half inch smartphone lense! I will defenately check out the other two that you recommend too! Thanks for your help!

[@toddgilmore118]

Great detailed video, but you need to sound more enthusiastic!! your putting me to sleep...Zzzz