Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

[PeterD]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

Have you thought of purchasing inexpensive magnification and Macro lenses that fit the 40-150mm lens? I purchased set of Sonia lenses +1,+2,+4 and MACRO. They were quite inexpensive (can't remember precisely how much) which I bought from an ebay store.

The image below is a Dahlia as an example. Hand held using the E500.



PeterD

[Glyn R]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

I bought the EX-25, but have hardly used it. I generally use the 35mm Zuiko. For stalking insects on a footpath, the Sigma 105mm is really handy because you only need to stoop a bit, rather than crawl around on your hands and knees!

Jim Ford

I used to have EX-25 and 35mm Zuiko. I found the lens very sharp etc but the focus distance was too short so I sold them both. Having just bought the 70-300 I think maybe I should have kept the EX-25. I now use OM 50mm macro with manual extension tubes. This is an example. I had a set of Hoya close up lenses but the quality was not good enough for me. I have read that Apochromatic close up lenses are Ok. I did have one on a Sigma 75-250 which seemed pretty good. I sold these though to get the 70-300 Zuiko.

[Barr1e]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

Hi -

How good is the 50mm for portraits please - or do you suggest another?

Happy Christmas. Barr1e

[Glyn R]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

Hi -

How good is the 50mm for portraits please - or do you suggest another?

Happy Christmas. Barr1e

I would use 40-150 for portraits. Haven't tried the 50mm OM. Here's another macro.The portrait is with 35mm ZD

[Barr1e]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

Hi Glyn

Thanks for yout input.

The reason for asking is that I thought I had read on here the great use folk made of the 50mm for portraits. I have searched the site and feel perhaps I should now look in at fourthirds-user.com in case the answers lies there - unless of course I get further responses here.

I hope the fun is building in your household.

All the best and thanks again.

Barr1e

[theMusicMan]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

This was taken with the 14-54mm:



... and this with the 40-150mm

[Barr1e]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

This was taken with the 14-54mm:



... and this with the 40-150mm

Two very nice pictures John. I used the 40-150 yesterday on a family shot close up and was most pleased with the outcome.

Is the 14-54 not to close to the boxed set of the E-510 twin lens kit?

Happy Christmas. Barr1e

[theMusicMan]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

It is yes Barrie, but it's in the Olympus Prosumer range and as such it is both faster (2.8) and also much sharper. All in all it's a much better lens than the kit lens - but needless to say those are top notch too.

[swazon]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

Have you thought of purchasing inexpensive magnification and Macro lenses that fit the 40-150mm lens? I purchased set of Sonia lenses +1,+2,+4 and MACRO. They were quite inexpensive (can't remember precisely how much) which I bought from an ebay store.

The image below is a Dahlia as an example. Hand held using the E500.



PeterD

Hi Peter,

I think I'll try the macro lenses as the 14-54 and 50-200 share the same filter size.

Thanks,
Robin

[PeterD]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

Hi Peter,

I think I'll try the macro lenses as the 14-54 and 50-200 share the same filter size.

Thanks,
Robin

The set I bought for my 40-150 kit lens also fit on the 70-300

During the break I shall try them out

PeterD

[OlyFlyer]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

After browsing through some of your galleries, I am regreting my choice of lenses

Not sure how much exploration of this world the EX-25 would give with:
1. 7-14mm f4 (prob nothing as focal length is less than tube length)
2. 14-54mm f2.8-3.5
3. 50-200mm f2.8-3.5

What other ways are there of going macro?

I think I've seen magnifying "filters" that attach to the front of the lens.

OK, this is an old post, but I answer anyway.

There are many ways to do macro. The simplest and most expensive is a dedicated macro lens, Olympus has two, 35mm and 50 mm. The 50 mm is by far the best lens and it is almost perfectly suitable for portraits, the 35 is not so good, as the focal length is too short. It is a compromise. It has real short working distance, meaning you'll lose a lot of light when you try to shoot macro. The lens is only f/3.5 at best, while the 50mm is f/2.0, making even focusing easier. Of the three lenses you mention, only the 50-200 would work with the EX-25, the 14-54 would work from around ~40 mm, but would get very very short working distance since that lens is too long. It has already quite good close focus abilities, so unless you need 1:1, it is a very capable lens on its own.

I would advice against diopter converters, especially cheap ones. Those give quite bad quality. The only one I know which is good is the Canon 500D, but that is not cheap. Also, if you go for it anyway, the best is to select a much larger one than the lens it is going to be used on and reduce the diameter by a filter converter. That way you'd use the best part of the lens, the center part.

On low budget, I would go for an OM (or another good quality film) lens, preferably macro, but normal is also good for most purposes. I would also get proper extension tubes and possibly a lens reverser (or both). Than of course, there is a choise for macro bellows as well if you want high magnification. With non-macro lenses the reversed lens gives the best results. You can combine extension tubes, or bellows and lens reversers as well.

Then there is the good old macro converter. It is a short tube with lenses and a ring to enable use of a lens (mostly the 50 mm normal) as a macro, with the ring adjusting the magnification.

What do I use? That depends on the situations. I think I have everything possible. At least if you as my wife. Anyway, here is a list:

ED50/f2
Cheap diopter converters +1, +2, +3, +5, +10
EX-25 modified, so it is 12.5 mm + 28.5 mm = 41 mm long, enabling the use of OM equipment in between
Panagor macro adapter for OM
A large number of extension tubes
Olympus macro bellows
Lens reverser
OM 35 mm f/2.8 my favourite bellows lens
OM 100 mm f/2.8 my other favourite bellows lens, also used for portraits

This image is a ~17:1 magnification using Olympus bellows and a reversed OM 35 mm lens. So far this is the highest magnification I could handle. It is a 1 mm part of an aluminum ruler.



And here is my EX-41 + Panagor macro adapter and the ED50.



...and finally, an image taken with the above.

[Glyn R]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

I just found this item while looking at macro. I am so impressed I have just bought a new Sigma Achromatic close up lens 58mm to fit all my lenses.

http://fuzzcraft.fuzzphoto.eu/achromats.html#2

[PeterD]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

I just found this item while looking at macro. I am so impressed I have just bought a new Sigma Achromatic close up lens 58mm to fit all my lenses.

http://fuzzcraft.fuzzphoto.eu/achromats.html#2

Very interesting thanks Glyn


PeterD

[Glyn R]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

I just got my Sigma Achromatic close up lens. I think it is about 1.6 dioptre. Just to try I out I took these. I have to say the image quality with the Sigma on my Oly 70-300 is pretty good. Interestingly the leaflet with the lens says it was designed to fit the Sigma 70-300 and several other similar zooms. The lens is new very old stock so I think this means non digital lenses. I used to have a Sigma 70 -250 which had its own dedicated close up lens. It looked exactly like the one I have bought. Both images are full frame with no processing.

[Barr1e]

Re: Using standard lenses for macro work (Ex-25?)

Hi Glynn -

How much and where please.

Regards. Barr1e