For what it's worth: to me a big advantage of a macro lens vs. close-up attachments or extension tubes is that you can focus anywhere between the minimum focusing distance and infinity, so you can use the macro lens by itself for macros and for other purposes (an excellent portrait lens, for example, as @Macroramphosis indicated). The Olympus 30mm macro lens is another, less expensive, very good option (I guess it generally goes for $100 to $150 used).Of course, well within your budget is the Oly 60mm, which will give you macro, close-up, portrait and medium telephoto uses all in one unit. It is - according to accounts (I do not have one but it is on my wish list) - a very sharp lens and very versatile.
Indeed - I have the Panny 30mm macro and if you just want an occasional close-up session but a shorter focal length, it is also a good option. It's a regular walk-around lens of mine - it does do flowers and larger insects very well, and it's also good for portraits too. It is also tack sharp. The showcase thread here is a good place to see what it can do.The Olympus 30mm macro lens is another, less expensive, very good option (I guess it generally goes for $100 to $150 used).
Why do you not have the patience for a macro lens?I really don’t have the patience for macro photography but would like to be able to get some good closeup shots. What lens in the Panasonic/Olympus lineup would you pick for the occasional bug, flower or butterfly. Thanks
And here is one for the Olympus 30mm macro: https://www.mu-43.com/threads/olympus-30mm-f-3-5-macro.87374/Indeed - I have the Panny 30mm macro and if you just want an occasional close-up session but a shorter focal length, it is also a good option. It's a regular walk-around lens of mine - it does do flowers and larger insects very well, and it's also good for portraits too. It is also tack sharp. The showcase thread here is a good place to see what it can do.
I should've linked to the 60mm macro showcase (sorry for the omission): https://www.mu-43.com/threads/olympus-60mm-f-2-8-macro.33664/There's probably a showcase thread for the Oly 60mm too, but I can't find it.
All of these lenses will give you, by ratio of value, far more for your money if you can afford them than an achromat or close-up lens. There's a reason that people who like macro tend to use them more than an attachment means of magnifying. If you're on a budget, then for sure the small add-on lenses are a great option, but with your budget, you could have fantastic fun with any of the macro lenses discussed. You have a 42.5 and the 12-100, so if I was in your position I would almost certainly go for the longer length of the 60mm for it will double up as a fine portrait lens and be the better macro lens for insects and flowers. I'm not sure there is any difference between the 30's and the 60 in sharpness terms, but that added length will make life just that little bit more comfortable in the field.