macro lenses for Digilux 3

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I looking for input on the firld of available macro lenses in the 4/3 format for use on the D3/Lumix L1K. Would prefer a naitive 4/3 lens. Any thoughts & recommendations would be greatly appreciated by this humble author. Ben

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[FrankA]

Ben,

I have used thew Oly 50mm ZD. It's a very good lens. Gets FOV of 100mm on 4/3rd's. Frank

[graeme_clarke]

Ben,

I've been using a Leica R 100mm macro - it gives a good working distance from the subject and is a cracker of a lens. Don't get confused by depth of field discussion - the DoF is the same as when using 35mm film. Its the crop factor that makes it seem like a 200mm lens. An alternative is the Leica 60mm macro which has a closer working distance. Others have reported on how good it is. Having a greater working distance is important if you want to capture something that walks or flies away, it doesn't matter much if its flowers or still life you're taking.I focus with it set at f2.8, set the shutter to aperture priority, set the aperture on the lens I want, and shoot.

 

Re Leica 100mm or 60mm glass - you don't need ROM contacts as the lens has to be used fully manual - so there are some good(ish) deals out there. You'll need an adapter ring for the make you choose.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Graeme

[goodbokeh]

I have the Olympus 35mm f/3.5 macro. Very sharp, even wide open. Small, inexpensive and even has a rebate of $35 untill the end of the month:

 

Olympus | 35mm f/3.5 Macro ED Zuiko Digital Lens | 261053 | B&H

 

Here is a review:

 

Olympus Zuiko Digital 35mm f/3.5 Macro

[Riley]

Olympus ZD Macro 35/3.5 $200

Olympus ZD Macro 50/2 $425

Sigma EX DG Macro 24/1.8 $340

Sigma EX DG HSM APO Macro 150/2.8 $600

Sigma EX DC Macro 18-50/2.8 $420

 

wrotniak.net: Lenses for Olympus E-System Cameras

[rougewave]

Gentleman (hope I'm not affending anyone), thanks for your imput. Bought a Lumix L1K for my son & ne is very keen on macro. Frank, Graeme, Goodbokeh and the ever-encylopedic Rob, thanks again for the workup. Rob, my son likes to get very personal & close-up to surfaces, textures, cracks, seams... Do you have a pick amoungst the litter. My impession from images on the forum is that the 60 macro is great, but don't know if it fits this application. As I have never used a fixed macro lense before, is there any tutorial on the use of the various "extenders", tubes and their effects. Thanks again, Ben

[Riley]

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Wider macros are most popularly used for flowers, and when you want to show the subject's environment. Longer lenses generally wipe out the background, leaving you with a portrait of your subject. So theres a matter of taste involved. Some distance between subject and photographer is handy too, or you capture your own shadow.

 

based on the idea of being middle of the road, and the lens itself being a very good portrait lens option so offering dual use, I would go with the 50/2, its also not that expensive which has to be a plus!

[graeme_clarke]

Ben,

 

The Leica 50mm is not a macro lens unless you use extension tubes, or fit a +2 or +3 close up lens to the front.

 

The 60mm f2.8 is designed for macro work, and the 3-cam versions are relatively cheap. 100mm f2.8 lenses are much more expensive. The 100mm f4 is older, and less expensive. Sometimes the 60mm can be had with the 1:1 extension, which is a screw in extra lens, or they can be used with an extension tube. The trouble with extension tubes is you lose 1 stop for every 13mm extension so focusing gets more difficult, and the shutter speed gets longer, which can be a disadvantage for flowers in the breeze! Remember, the closer you get the less depth of field there is. A tripod is a must for really close work. You might be able to use a bean bag for some shots. You will also need the remote control because using the self timer to trip the shuter is a hit and miss affair if the subject is moving.

 

Given your son's interests, I'd look for a good second hand 60mm 3 cam version (you don't need the ROM contacts as they only work on an R8 or R9), and the appropriate adapter. In the UK such lenses are listed at £350-400. (See the Ffordes website) If there's a good Leica dealer near you with a second hand one in stock, I'd suggest you go and try one on the camera.

 

If you go down the 50mm route, I'd use close up lenses (suggest a +1 and a +2 - they can be added together) rather than an extension tube, unless you want to get really close - say a couple of inches away. DoF at that distance is miniscule, even with the lens stopped right down.

 

Has anyone tried close up lenses on the 14-50mm lens the L1/digilux 3 comes with? Its an E72mm screw - and that would be the cheapest alternative as well as retaining AF and all the metering functions. You'll still need a remote control though!

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

With best wishes,

 

Graeme

[Riley]

i meant of course the Olympus ZD Macro 50/2.0

[rougewave]

Graeme & Riley, thanks for the info. Since we bought my son the Lumix (D3) and I have an R8, here's one more wrinkle: If we buy the R60 & use an 4/3 adaptor for the Lumix, how does than compare with the Oly Macro 50mm for use on my son's camera. I know about the increased DOF for the D3/Lumix 4/3, but what about the distance to object and general quality of image? Am I right to assume the R glass will provide superior images? Thanks again.

[graeme_clarke]

Ben,

 

I cannot comment on the Oly - I don't have one.

 

Any R lens on the 4/3 camera has a 2 times crop factor, that is the image size of a 50mm lens is the same as using a 100mm lens on a 35mm camera. Essentially the L1/digilux 3 is taking half the area from the centre of a 35mm camera image. The depth of field is the same for both cameras within this area. A 60mm macro lens has more depth of field than a 100mm macro lens, but its still very shallow at close distances.

 

I have a 100mm macro I've used on the digilux 3. Its a stonking lens - just as sharp as on the R9. The focusing indicator works which is a help because the Digilux doesn't have a split image screen as on the R8/9.

 

Can I suggest you get an adapter and try your existing R glass. I think you'll be amazed.

 

Best wishes,

 

Graeme