On the XBOX 360 if you stand close to an obstical such as a bridge wall and face it and then pan the camera around you can get the camera to force zoom in much closer to your character. There is a limit but it's good enough.
Note XBOX 360 also allows you to pan around the character in real time as well as in pause mode. Maybe check on PC if keyboard options will allow this if I'm thinking mouse is turn...
Edit:
Quick example. I stood in front of a rock and a little tweaking of the camera. Sorry image has a little red from camera flash.
piccy:
http://i45.tinypic.com/2wnpda1.jpg