Using the Sony RX10 iv for photographing insects
by Bob Armstrong
Figure 1: Sony RX10 iv, front view.
Figure 2: Sony RX10 iv, back view.
I have been testing a Sony RX10 iv (Figures 1–2) for insect photography and so far:
This may be the best camera for photographing insects both in the wild and in the lab.
It focuses very quickly on insects in nature from a few feet away. This allows you to photograph them without any disturbance.
With the addition of a Raynox Super Macro snap on lens you can photograph very tiny insects.
The built in flash works very well. This allows you to use a high f-stop, up to f/16, and a high shutter speed (1/1,000 of a second). This gives you a high depth of field and best of all you can hand hold the camera and not have to use a tripod or external flash.
In the lab the viewing screen moves for perfect viewing. The camera has a high depth of field, the built in flash works well, and there is no need to use a camera attached to a microscope.
Figure 3: A long-legged fly.
Figure 4: Long-legged flies.
These long-legged flies (Figures 3–4) dart about on the water surface. The camera focused on them very quickly. The camera was hand held from about four feet away.
Figure 5: A queen bumblebee.
Figure 6: A moth.
The camera focused quickly on flying insects such as the queen bumblebee (Figure 5) and moth (Figure 6). It should be great for dragonflies and butterflies.
Figure 7: A willow weevil.
Figure 8: A pseudoscorpion.
For very tiny insects you can quickly snap on the Raynox super macro lens and use the built in flash and a high f-stop. Figure 7 is a Willow Weevil adult on a willow catkin. Figure 8 shows a pseudoscorpion hiding under a rock in the intertidal area. They are only about 3–5 mm long. The Sony was able to full frame them.
In the lab you can attach the camera to a fine adjustment stand and actually use it as a microscope. With the Raynox super micro attached you can easily focus on very tiny subjects such as tardigrades (water bears, Figure 9) and tiny springtails (Figure 10). With the high depth of field there is no need for stacking images.
Figure 9: A tardigrade about 0.5 mm long.
Figure 10: A beach springtail about 4 mm long.
How much does this equipment Cost? The camera costs $1,698.00 from B&H photo. And also from B&H photo, the Raynox Super Macro lens costs $70.25. It appears that the Raynox Super Micro lens might have to be purchased from the Raynox lens company.
In order to attach these lenses to the Sony camera you will need a 72–62 mm step down ring. A Sensei 72–62mm step-down ring from B & H photo costs $5.95.
I am glad to answer any questions at bob@discoverysoutheast.org.