Showcase Olympus 30mm f/3.5 Macro

[didin21]

I have some images taken with this lens to share with you.

all shot with an EM5mkII camera with the use of focus bracketing.

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Oestridae - Cephenemyia stimulator by didin21, sur Flickr

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Cluster of male Colletes sp by didin21, sur Flickr

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Dasypoda altercator by didin21, sur Flickr

 

[didin21]

another series of single shot images...

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Asilidae by didin21, sur Flickr

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P7080326 by didin21, sur Flickr

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Dasypoda altercator by didin21, sur Flickr

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Sciaridae - Sciara sp. by didin21, sur Flickr

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Juvenile grasshoper by didin21, sur Flickr

 

[tonilluch]

Amazing images, congratulations.

 

[Vinod Menon]

another series of single shot images...

Amazing snaps...
How close were these subjects from the lens?? I anted to get to macro photography and would really appreciate your guidance.

 

[theoldsmithy]

Were those just with this lens or did you use a raynox or similar too? I'm looking for a macro lens for a reasonable price and these look great.

 

[mjgraaf]

Why did you not use the 60mm macro? Seems to me a bit more applicable for macro insect shots because you can stay further away from the insect....

 

[didin21]

Amazing snaps...
How close were these subjects from the lens?? I anted to get to macro photography and would really appreciate your guidance.

Can't tell exactly how close it was. Very close anyway!

We're those just with this lens or did you use a raynox or similar too? I'm looking for a macro lens for a reasonable price and these look great.

I used just the lens with no additionnal element. I tried a raynox dcr250 once and the subject is hit at highest magnification.

Why did you not use the 60mm macro? Seems to me a bit more applicable for macro insect shots because you can stay further away from the insect....

Yes, you are right, the 60mm is generaly more suitable for bugs because of longer working distance but I did not feel so limited with the tiny 30mm.

 

[Rambling Sam]

A bit like swings and roundabouts; the 60mm means you don't have to get in so close, whilst the 30mm will give you deeper DoF, when both lenses are used on the same f-stop. I don't think the 30mm has a 'distance limiter' controller built into it, which to me is a very useful feature. Since the images shown, employ focus bracketing, it's not possible to say which lens is better optically. Personally, the 60mm suits me better.

 

[didin21]

pics shown in my second post are not focus bracketed. This 30 mm has an impressive sharpness and I am used to use macro lenses from 28mm to 150mm.
The 60mm is probably a better tool for bugs hunting but if you want a more versatile focal length that is also a very competent macro tool then this 30mm is to be considered.

 

[PaulGiz]

A bit like swings and roundabouts; the 60mm means you don't have to get in so close, whilst the 30mm will give you deeper DoF, when both lenses are used on the same f-stop...

At the same magnification, at the same f-stop, your depth of field will be, wait for it...the same. You'll be closer with the shorter lens, your perspective will be different, but DoF will be exactly the same.

 

[Snowonuluru]

Great shots! I'm perplexed as to why there are not more pictures in this thread. Is it a less popular lens for any reason?

 

[barry13]

Great shots! I'm perplexed as to why there are not more pictures in this thread. Is it a less popular lens for any reason?

Hi, it's new, and short macros can be hard to use for things that get scared (bugs) due to short working distance. It's really a niche lens.

 

[Snowonuluru]

Hi, it's new, and short macros can be hard to use for things that get scared (bugs) due to short working distance. It's really a niche lens.

Thanks! I read a review by Robin Wong, he mentioned the same issue. However he did go on to say that because of the greater magnification factor, one could get a good sized image from a farther distance. Would really like to see others experience on this.

 

[barry13]

Thanks! I read a review by Robin Wong, he mentioned the same issue. However he did go on to say that because of the greater magnification factor, one could get a good sized image from a farther distance. Would really like to see others experience on this.

Robin says:
"I also acknowledge that the longer 60mm macro lens will provide significantly better working distance for shooting insect macro."
Robin Wong: Olympus M.Zuiko 30mm F3.5 Macro Lens Review

 

[Web-Betty]

Great shots! I'm perplexed as to why there are not more pictures in this thread. Is it a less popular lens for any reason?

I'm also surprised. I know the 60mm is the king of Oly M4/3 macro right now, but those first shots are pretty great—definitely beats the other macro 'option', the 12–50. I had taken this lens off my wish list based on some comments, but I'm going to do a little more research. I like the occasional bug but I'm mostly flowers and other stuff. Seems I might need to reconsider the 30mm for the price.

My biggest concern would be the lack of focus stacking. But for half the price, I can focus bracket myself.

 

[Snowonuluru]

I'm also surprised. I know the 60mm is the king of Oly M4/3 macro right now, but those first shots are pretty great—definitely beats the other macro 'option', the 12–50. I had taken this lens off my wish list based on some comments, but I'm going to do a little more research. I like the occasional bug but I'm mostly flowers and other stuff. Seems I might need to reconsider the 30mm for the price.

Haha, I've been holding back on the 60mm hoping to see some pictures using the 30mm lens in this forum. One other good thing with the 60mm is that it is weather proof, a consideration for shooting outdoors and in moist environment I guess.

 

[Web-Betty]

Haha, I've been holding back on the 60mm hoping to see some pictures using the 30mm lens in this forum. One other good thing with the 60mm is that it is weather proof, a consideration for shooting outdoors and in moist environment I guess.

I have several other weather sealed lenses and for my needs, don't think this is worth the cost of the 60mm; but it's definitely a consideration for others.

 

[Rasmus]

Hi, it's new, and short macros can be hard to use for things that get scared (bugs) due to short working distance. It's really a niche lens.

Aren't short macros also rather useful for underwater photography? Of course, underwater is also quite a niche...

 

[Andy H.]

Just got my 30mm Macro today and took this pic at 12cm distance. Purposely took at a skewed angle to see DOF difference.

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[Christian Braun]

Dandelion

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Olympus PEN-F, Olympus 30mm 3.5 Macro, HDR with Photomatix, 5 exposures, Tripod