Sony HX9V Super Macro

As most of you know the Sony HX5 has a non documented macro function I discovered in my tests on the HX5 blog. It is like to have a 60 mm macro lens.

praying mantis baby around 22 mm (a bit less than 1") long - shot with Sony HX5V Super Macro
resized and post processed - click for full size

Most P&S cameras have their closest macro position at full wide angle. This not only means you have to get very close to your object, but you also have all the negative lens effects from the full wide angle to deal with and if you need the flash it will mostly not illuminate the full object since part of it is covered by the lens tube.
The Sony HX9V has, as the HX5, a minimum distance from 50 mm or 2" to shoot macro.
With the Super Macro you can zoom up to 2.4 x with the HX5 and, as confirmed by a user, also the HX9V and the camera still focus sharp at the same 50 mm or 2".
That means the real closest distance is 20 mm or 0.8"



I would love to show you some HX9V samples of this function, but I need your help. If you have a HX9V and manage a nice Super Macro shot, please send me the link the comments so I can post the result here.

I had some problems to get her sharp from the front since she kept moving. I used the high speed scene mode for continuous focusing and overcompensated a bit with the sharpening in pp.