Macro Lenses

[marty123]

I am new to photography and want to purchase a macro ##### to learn macro photography. I dont want to spend too much because I dont think I will be doing a lot of it. Does anyone know if the Olympus Zuiko 35mm f/3.5 Macro Lens would be sufficient for a beginner? I am currently using an olympus E-520.

Any help is much appreciated

[olympuse620]

Looks like you spelled lens wrong going by the # in your post. Sorry I am only new as well so I can't help with the macro lens.

[Big Pix]

....... google is your friend http://www.flickr.com/groups/e-510/discuss/72157612845424307/

[Wulfys Kingdom]

Also depending on what lenses you already own, Olympus have an extension tube (ex25) for a reasonable price. I'm not sure if that would suit you or not, but read some articles on it if you're looking for something in the cheaper range of things.

[marty123]

I only own 2 kit lenses that came with the camera. I went ahead and bought the macro, waiting for it to be shipped.

[peterb666]

You might consider a couple of options. One would be to fork out some extra dosh on the 50mm f/2 macro which will also make a good portrait lens and is sufficiently fast enough (2 stops over your current kit lens at that focal point) for available light photography.

If you want to do it on the ultra cheap, get a 25mm extension ring and use your current 14-42 zoom. That will get you to about 1:1.5 and you can also use that on the 45-150 zoom.

There are also close up lenses that you can buy in sets.

Or do what I did. I bought an Olympus 50mm OM f/3.5 macro lens and matched 25mm extension tube to give me a 1:1 macro lens for under $200. I already had an adapter (my camera is Micro Four Thirds). A Four Thirds adapter on eBay is around $25 and the 50mm f/3.5 about $100 to $150 depending on condition. The 25mm Olympus extension ring is around $40. The 50mm OM f/3.5 holds up well compared to the kit zooms and manual focus is fine for macro work.

BTW, I think that 35mm is just a bit too short for a macro lens. You need a little bit of distance between you and the subject for lighting. I wouldn't consider anything less than 50mm.

[lanegd01]

The ZD 35mm is an excellent macro lens for a beginner and can be found cheaply on Ebay. Another option is the ZD 70-300mm which doubles a macro but is more expensive. The advantage is that is also provides an excellent telephoto option, so is a two in one lens.

[pgbphotographytas]

The ZD 35mm is an excellent macro lens for a beginner and can be found cheaply on Ebay. Another option is the ZD 70-300mm which doubles a macro but is more expensive. The advantage is that is also provides an excellent telephoto option, so is a two in one lens.

That was the way I went and I was happy with that.

[olympuse620]

What does the extension ring do? and what are its down sides?

[lanegd01]

What does the extension ring do? and what are its down sides?

the extension ring moves the focal point, so the 50mm which is 1:2 macro becomes a 1:1 macro this is theonly lens that the ex25 will "officially" autofcus.. It is not useful on the 70-300 or the 35mm. It doesn't contain a lens as such, it just moves the lens 25mm forward from the mirror. It can be used with ed 50, ed 100, ed 300, 14-54, 40-150, ed 50-200 using manual focus
Hope this helps

[Wulfys Kingdom]

I have the ex25 and have tried it on both 18-180mm and 50-200ED lenses. Autofocus worked with both but when you're working so closely with something it's not really that useful because your dof is so narrow that all you have to do to focus is step back or forward a few centimetres and maybe turn the focus ring if you want the closest/furtherest focus available.

[lanegd01]

I have the ex25 and have tried it on both 18-180mm and 50-200ED lenses. Autofocus worked with both but when you're working so closely with something it's not really that useful because your dof is so narrow that all you have to do to focus is step back or forward a few centimetres and maybe turn the focus ring if you want the closest/furtherest focus available.

This is correct.:) The extension ring works just like a magnifying glass. As you move it further from the eye and closer to the object the magnification changes. You can try this at home! So you can focus by stepping forward and back if you run out of focus on the ring. it wont be useful on the 35mm as you are already at its closest point.

Graeme

[olympuse620]

Excuse my ignorance again what then is the difference between an extension tube and a teleconverter.

[kiwi]

My understanding is that a tube allows you to focus closer, the TC magnifies the image

[Wulfys Kingdom]

Do teleconverts have glass to magnify the image and extension tubes merely "extend" the lens away from the body with no glass elements?

[lanegd01]

I confess I don't know the physics behind this. The ex 25 has just two glass elements front and back it works by shifting the lens away from the sensor thereby moving the point of focus and increasing the size of the image on the sensor. It also reduces the shooting range eg if used with the 50-200mm the shooting range at 200mm is reduced to 88-190 cm. On a larger lens this will make focussing except at infinity difficult. The ec14 and ec20 contain, I think, six and seven glass elements respectively the purpose being to increase the focal length of the lens eg 50mm with ec14 becomes 70mm and the 50mm with ec20 becomes 100mm. So it increases the shooting range. I hope this helps.
Graeme

[Beej]

I have both. The 35mm is fantastic for still life macro (flowers, household object, water drops etc) but as you have to get close to use it, if insects are your thing, go with the 50mm. It has great bokeh as well and is REALLY sharp. I've even taken to using it for the occasional landscape. BUT the 50mm will only give you a 1:2 image as the 35 goes 1:1. So if you plan on getting nice 'n' close, I'd go with the 35mm. In the end they are both great fun and either will serve you well for a long time to come. I kind of enjoy learning how to work around a lens if it presents a limitation too.... could be just me. :) Good luck with your choice.

[Ross the fiddler]

I confess I don't know the physics behind this. The ex 25 has just two glass elements front and back it works by shifting the lens away from the sensor thereby moving the point of focus and increasing the size of the image on the sensor. It also reduces the shooting range eg if used with the 50-200mm the shooting range at 200mm is reduced to 88-190 cm. On a larger lens this will make focussing except at infinity difficult. The ec14 and ec20 contain, I think, six and seven glass elements respectively the purpose being to increase the focal length of the lens eg 50mm with ec14 becomes 70mm and the 50mm with ec20 becomes 100mm. So it increases the shooting range. I hope this helps.
Graeme

I use the EX25 (which has NO glass in it) & is useful for bringing in the focusing distance on the ZD70-300 lens making it capable of capturing 70% life size (instead of 50%). It allows a closer focusing distance of a lens. I suggest you look up the Olympus compatibilty charts to see which lenses can actually benefit from it as the ZD14-54 II can only be used at 54mm & will only focus very close to the lens, not very useful at all (unless photographing a macro of your computer screen). The ZD14-42 at 25mm will also give 1:1 magnification right at the lens, but will allow use at other zoom/focusing distances. Check the charts. http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/Digital Cameraera/compati/di004042e.cfm#etcl

Ross