I’m relatively new to macro. A friend asked me to photograph the local wild flowers for a book she was writing, so I bought the 30mm because it was a good price. I loved using it, so I added the 60mm to my kit as well, mostly for the slightly wider aperture and weathersealing. Last autumn I started photographing the fungi that grew in the same region as the flowers, and found that the 30mm was much better for that because the often grew in places where there wasn’t room to use the 60mm. The 30mm also has a greater depth of field, so I needed fewer shots for bracketing/stacking. When I’m travelling and want to pack the smallest kit possible I take one camera, the 12mm f/2 and the 30mm macro, which serves for any macro shots and as a standard lens. As much as I would like the 90mm, it is currently out of my budget and I don’t have any real use for it. I can also add extension tubes to one of my current macro lenses if I really need to get in close.
I have and use all three! I use the 30-mm mostly indoors for doing "desktop macro" of backlit leaves, coins, and other small objects. For backlighting, I use a small slide-sorter light box.* I have a short copy stand (the arm is only about 10 inches/250 mm tall) that I mount my camera to via a Manfrotto slide rail and only the 30-mm can handle a full range of focus distances in native trim. The 60-mm can focus with the camera only near the very top of the slide rail, but sometimes the field of view is too small. I can add extension tubes to get the 60-mm to focus closer, but that further reduces the field of view. However, for really small objects, I will sometimes use either lens with one or more extension tubes. For desktop macro, I usually control the camera using OM Capture and I usually focus stack. The 60-mm has been my outdoor workhorse for several years. It's great for closeups of flowers and bugs that don't scare easily. Since it's weather-sealed and I can mount the weather-sealed ST-F8 Macro Twin Flash, it's perfect for use in the rain, which I have done quite a few times. The 60-mm is also a great portrait lens for when I don't have my 45-mm and 75-mm at hand. It's also my oldest granddaughter's favorite lens and so it's been on semi-permanent loan to her for most of the past year. I recently bought her one for her upcoming 16th birthday so I can get mine back. 🙂 I also taught her how to use hand-held focus stacking to improve her results. I have only had the 90-mm for two months and it has quickly become my favorite macro lens. The longer reach, teleconverter compatibility, additional stabilization, and better controls make it a pleasure to use. I haven't used the extreme end of the macro range yet because most of my recent uses have been flowers and other stuff that is fine at 1:1 or smaller magnifications. The additional stabilization makes the 90-mm a more sure bet for completing a hand-held focus stack compared to the 60-mm. *I also use the light box once in a while to look at my old 35-mm slides. It can handle 12 slides at a time in a 4x3 pattern.
@@EmilieT My granddaughter (Abigail) is very trustworthy and is very careful with the gear that I loan her. She is a straight-A student and has been since first grade, was freshman class president at her high school this past year and was just elected sophomore class president. Her goal is to be valedictorian. BTW, I am the bank of dad/grandpa in my family when it comes to camera gear. My wife, all three of my kids, my older son-in-law (and Abi's father), my daughter-in law, and Abi all shoot Olympus MFT cameras and I loan stuff out when asked. (My younger son-in-law isn't allowed to touch our camera gear because he has a bad habit of breaking things. 😞) Abi and her family just got back from a two-week road trip to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks. I loaned my older daughter my 7-14/2.8, 17/1.2, and 100-400/5.0-6.3 for the trip so that she, my son-in-law, and Abi could use them. (When Abi's younger brother wants to borrow a camera, I let him use my TG-5, because he's a boy. 🙂)
Very interesting video. Thank you:-) I’ve had the 60mm for a while now and love it - waiting impatiently for delivery of my 90mm though. I’m almost 80 and my eyes aren’t what they were when I was younger so am looking forward to being able to use autofocus. The magnification is fab on the 90mm but the clutch is what is going to make it a winner for me!
Thank your for taking the time to give your thoughts on this trio of macros. I currently have the 60, however, after watching many videos - including the one you and Lisa just did to show the 90 in action. Your enthusiasm for the 90 is contagious.
I've had the 60mm macro for 8 years,Olympus doesn't provide a lens hood which is a must for me.the lens hunts a lot and has no usable hand focus. Not to say it's not sharp,which it absolutely is. Olympus has the very best camera software for focus stacking macro! The new pro 90mm macro is way better in my humble opinion,more old school like my old Nikkor 105mm macro which I luv. Ps have adapter to put old Nikkor lens on Olympus bodies,manual focus only but luv using those old lens like 50mm f1.2 etc I shot bald eagle pics with Nikkor 105mm macro on omd em1. Super sharp results. Anyhow ty for your video,very informative 😊
Fantastic video Emilie, I just recently switched from a full frame Canon to the OM-1 but actually bought the 60mm macro and MC14 before I even bought my OM-1 lol I absolutely love the more compact and amazing M4/3 system, so light and easy to carry and travel with.
Hi, I just found your channel while looking into OM system cameras and decided to subscribe. I miss having a macro lens, so was interested in this video about picking a lens for a micro four thirds camera.
I use a Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lens I found it to be a very fine lens I've been using it since 2015 for macro photography I'm very happy with it.
I own the 60 mm Olympus macro lens and have been pleasantly surprised by it. The 90 mm macro seems even better but, I am not sure I will spend that much more on this at this time.
Very good and interesting video. One slight niggle I have is the magnification factor (1:1 on the 60mm, for instance). In terms of magnification, this means that the size of the image on the sensor (or film, in the olden days) is the same size as the subject. It has nothing to do with sensor size, so saying that it is 2x magnification is not really correct. It is still 1x magnification. What size it is when you display or print it is, of course, entirely up to you. If you had used a full frame camera to take a 1:1 image of the same subject then the image would be exactly the same size as the one you took on your four thirds camera.
I think you need Raynox on 90mm. Cause you get the most magnification among your lenses around 4 times for tiny subjects. Don’t underestimate the versatility of raynox
Gotta love OM System and micro 4/3 for macro! Now that it's warming up, I'd love to get out and take some macro shots of flowers and mushrooms! Desperately need a macro lens for my OM-1!
Thanks for talking about the differences between the lens. I'm seriously looking at adding OM1 + 90mm. I do a lot of macro (on FF) and the reach of this sounds great. Not looking to enter the competition for the Raynox - I already have one. Whoever wins it will enjoy it. I even use it on my 105mm macro at times.
I recently switched from Sony to OM D. My favorite subjects are dragonflies. Since they can be skittish I purchased the 100-400 along with a 1.4TC. But I also got the 60 and AK diffuser for those times I find an emerging dragonfly or damselfly allowing me to get super close. Seeing the stretched out head of an emerging ode is how I became smitten with them.
I have the 60mm macro and enjoy using it although I find manual focus with the 1:1 a bit challenging. For flying insects I sometimes use my 40-150 2.8 with a teleconverter and get good results. The 90mm is on my wish list.
For insects, I do a big no no which is 75-300 with an extension ring, people say it doesn't work but it does...I got a tone of pictures published (I am a biologist), so I take two bodies one with the aforementioned set up and another with the 60 mm...
I'm Just getting into macro photography the Raynox sounds very interning i hope it works on my 105mm sigma. I have been enjoying your channel. Keep up the great work.
Would love this to add to my recently purchased 60mm. Really enjoying getting into more macro photography and would love to see what opportunities the Raynox opens up!
I just started to record youtube videos on my phone and they come out fuzzy so i really need stuff like this, i just found this channel a few weeks ago and i think you are amazing!
Great video Emilie. I have the 30mm and the 60mm. Ihave also ordered the 90mm. I don't know if I what I will do with the 60mm. I will have to compare it to the 90mm at 1:1. I will keep the 30mm because of the wider field of view. Sometimes it's nice to have more of the background in the picture.
I will be glad to se you get the 5000 subscribers. You syrely deserve far more. If I get win the Raynox, it will easier than the extesnions tubes I use now.
Thanks for the informative video...I'm keeping the 60mm but it never won my enjoyment using it. I got the 90mm 02/23/23 weather is cold so not much use as yet. I know I'm going to love it. It's a treasure chest of a lens...being able to go from 4:1 macro to infinity with the slide of a switch is jaw dropping. Add to that lens stabilization and AF is going to be great. Really enjoyed your 90mm review with Lisa...just happened to see this one...thanks for sharing your work/passion. You should keep the Raynox for the 60mm...I have one...no way I'd give it up. 🙏
Congratulations on the 90mm and thank you for your comment. I am glad you enjoyed the Live with Lisa Cuchara. It was so fun to do this with her. I really haven't use the Raynox much so I have a motto: If you don't use it give it or sell it. So I am giving it away. I know I will just use the 90mm moving forward instead of carrying an extra piece of gear even if it is small.
I don't have a dedicated macro but have tried closeup photography with extension tubes and have mixed success. Your videos provide inspiration to explore macro again.
Always enjoy watching your videos, I'm from MN. I do have the 60mm lens and struggle to use it...I guess practice practice. The 90 creative intrigues me....💸 Need to save up my money.
Hi Deb. Yes practice practice practice. The more you will use it the better you will understand it. Don’t hesitate if you have specific questions on the 60mm
Thank you for this and all your great videos. They have been very helpful as I have been learning the OM system and how to set up my OM -1. I think your analysis of the three micro options is really good. I have the 60mm and have been happy with it but now rethinking the new 90mm.
The 90 mm macro looks and appears ideal - no question. I have the 60mm and if I need true macro it is fine, if I need close up (which I do for much of my photography in this genre) I use the 40-150 with MC 14/ MC20. If I had not got the 40-150 or the 60mm I would get the 90mm macro. Given that I had to wait 9 months for the 150-400mm I will not be considering the 90mm macro good as it is. Super lens do I need it - NOOooooo! Would I like it yesssss!
I love the 30mm because it's so small. Sometimes it's just easy to bring it around with me, and the 1.25 magnification is very helpful. A lot of times I also use my TG-6 for macro because it can get really great magnification. I'm not sure if I will be getting any of the other macros because I already have a longer macro lens for another camera system I have and when I need that lens I just use that camera body. I do love the 30mm with the mushrooms. I did a whole project on mushrooms with the TG-6 and the one of my other bodies with the 30mm macro
Bonjour Emilie, Excellent video as always. I use the 60mm macro most of the time, but I also use my 40-150mm 2.8 lens with extension tubes. I hope I win as the Raynox would be another tool in my macro tool bag.
Hi Emilie. I have watched all your videos since I discovered you on RU-vid. I will be watching for more videos about the 90mm lens. Right now I am sitting on the fence and waiting for some camera stores to carry it. I am in a moving transit to Bow New Hampshire and I don’t want it to get losses in the mail. I am not interested in the Raynox. I googled camera store in Concord and none came up. I am a senior in my 70es so not that good with technology maybe you could steer me to a camera store in the Bow or Concord area. Bow is just a couple of miles from Concord. Can,t wait to see next weeks video. By the way the video on the 90 that you did for OM systems I will watch again it was really informative.. Thanks for your videos
Thank you Charlie! Check out Hunt's photo and Video in Manchester NH. It is not far at all from Bow. That is my go to local camera store. There is another camera store in Concord but I have never been.
As always wonderful video and information. I look forward to seeing your upcoming video regarding the AK diffuser as well. Your work is truly inspirational and I can’t wait to see more of what you can do with the 90mm.
Thanks for the info with the 3 macros.. I recently purchased the 60mm and looking forward to using it for both macro and portrait.. The 30 I had for a while now but having to get so close to the subject ( animal ) is near impossible. The 90 is not on the horizon for me... $$$ . Keep up the good work. RickeyGPhotography
I've owned the Sony a1 and sold it for the om1 systems camera and a few lenses and haven't looked back. That camera gives amazing images even at 20mp im not afraid to crop. That new sensor is absolutely amazing. I just bought the 60mm unknowingly that the 90mm was coming out. The specs and the amount of reach is extremely impressive
One of the most important advantages of the new 90mm is the sync.- stabilisation yout didn't even mention. One of the main reasons I will purchase this awesome lens in the near future, although I already own the splendid 60mm/2.8. Cordialement, Markus
Great video Emily! I have the 60mm macro and I love it, but when I'm trying to take photos of butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, and other flying insects that are relatively large and fast-flying, I use the 40-150 f/2.8 with the MC-20, which, if my math is correct, provides a full frame equivalent magnification of 0.84x at a 600mm equivalent focal length. Theoretically, I could use extension tubes with it for even more magnification, but that lens and teleconverter combination doesn't seem to play very well with extension tubes. The 60mm macro and the 75mm f/1.8 work very well with extension tubes though. And for anyone who just can't afford a 60mm macro but wants to take some macro photos, the Sigma 60mm f/2.8 lens has an excellent close focus distance and with some extension tubes, you can get some excellent closeups with it. That was how I started taking closeups with my micro four thirds cameras. At least in theory, the Olympus 100-400mm and 150-400mm lenses should be great for macro photography too. Using the MC-20, they should be get greater than 1:1 full frame equivalent magnification while staying a good distance from flying insects. And if you really want to do some wide angle macro photography, the 12-40mm f/2.8 and 12-100mm f/4 lenses can focus really close too. Even though the 30mm macro is really affordable, I probably wouldn't recommend it for someone's first macro lens. With wider angle macro lenses like that, lighting can be much more challenging because you have to be so close to your subject that the lens often casts a shadow over it. It's also not as useful for photographing insects because you have to get so close to them that they tend to fly or run away.
Thank you for this video. Always want to get into macro and Olympus has so many good options. 30mm is such a fun lens and so portable. Just wish it is weather seal!
Loved the image of the water drops reflecting the flower. I should be collecting my 90mm f3.5 IS macro in the next few days, according to my local LCE shop. I used to own a Nikon fit Sigma 180mm f2.8 OS macro, which was a monster to handhold for any length of time. Like the new OMS lens, it was also compatible with a TC14. I have been waiting a long, long time for an equivalent lens and now it is here. I will be part exchanging my 60mm f2.8 macro, along with a couple of other lenses. I will use the new 90mm (+/- my MC14/20) and my newly acquired 12 - 100mm f4 for macro work. The 12 - 100mm allows for 50fps for butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies taking off/landing and the wider angle allows for more images in a sequence. Just waiting for spring and summer now.
I have to agree with your comment about the small size of the 60mm. Even on a very small m43 camera, it looks ridiculously tiny and narrow, lol! But it works...
When I first started in photography, I did macro. I haven't done it in many years and would love to get back into it. Thank you for the informative video. The 90mm definitely seems to be the go to lens.
Definitely keeping my 60mm macro even if I add the 90mm macro. As you say, it fits in the pocket. It carries in the bag easily enough that it goes with me more often than not whether I plan on macro or not. The 90mm is big enough that I'd only carry it when planning on macro.
I'm new to photography, I have using an OMD for three years, recently I decided to get a 60mm Macro , I'm just beginning to learn Macro so I figured It was good for learning. If I win the prize i will learn how to use it. My son is a photographer.
One of my favorite lens is the Olympus 12-50mm with macro. I know its not true macro but its a run walk around lens. I wish Olympus still made it but happy I have a copy.
Won't buy the 90mm at the moment, I'm perfectly fine with the 60mm on the macro side. But for more ambitious macro photographers the 90mm is a great lens for sure! I am still impressed with the product quality of the 150-400, I use it far too often now 😂
I’ve had the 60mm since it came out-was doing research in Japan at the time and used it with my E-M5. We moved home to Hawai’i three years ago (so I may be your most distant entrant) and are now retired. I use the macro for bees and other bugs, flowers, lizards, and more, now with an OM-1. I’ve long done Hi-Res, stacking, and bracketing, but have just recently started using flash for stacking and bracketing-why did I wait so long? I have a real diffuser coming soon. The 90mm looks like a dream lens but I might need to win the lottery to get it, and there’s no lottery here in Hawai’i, so the Raynox would be very welcome for extra magnification. Maybe I’ll be able to get shots of the scales on the wings of a Kamehameha butterfly! Quite a different macro world from when I started with a Nikomat Ft2 and extension tubes in 1975!
Great video ! I like the comparison of the 3 lenses .I have the 60mm,thinking about the 90mm🤞🏻.Looks like a wonderful piece of glass Merci pour votre travail . Vraiment apprécié . Je crois que j’ai un problème maintenant …je plonge ? Oui ou Non !
Great summary! I saw many more videos comparing 30mm and 60mm and fortunately cane to the right conclusions to buy the 60mm, since I mostly shoot insects, so need more distance. I love it, recently bought a super cheap led ring flash and keen to experiment, but have to figure out how to set up the camera in the 'flash' mode, but I'm sure you covered it somewhere, so I'll just have to dig 😉
Thanks for comparing the lenses. I went through the same sequence of those lenses. Didn't decide yet whether to keep all of them. I bought the 30mm macro mainly to have a higher froth of field due to the lower focal length. However, I'm not sure whether the DOF is really bigger with the 30mm - experience says no difference seen. What is your learning so far with the 90mm? Do you have a higher need for focus stacking at 1:1 magnification because of even less DOF?
From a calculation perspective the DOF using 90mm in 2:1 mode is even higher than in 1:1 🙄 I think I should take my time for taking photos rather than calculating 😂
I have the 60mm and it is my favourite lens. I wonder about that Raynox, doesn't it need a step down ring? Anyhow, I am not in North America. By the way, for anyone wondering about a X2 macro lens, the 90mm is not the only choice, what about the Laowa 50mm f2.8? I haven't tried it myself but the reviews are positive.
Great info Emilie...watched your presentation w/ Lisa C the other night (awesome...loved all the images you both shared)...you mentioned you use a teleconverter w/ the 90mm...I have the 60mm (got it for Xmas so still learning) but can you use the in-camera teleconverter with the 60? I use the macro for flowers and anything (other than bugs) that looks interesting.
Hi Cindy! Yes you definitely can. The only thing is that the zoom is recorded in jpeg mode. In the case of RAW images, a frame shows the zoom crop. And so in raw, you will still have to crop. I haven't actually used it but it is a possibility especially if you only shoot in jpeg.
I've been considering getting a macro lens. I have tried closeup photography with my 24-70 f/2.8 but haven't had much success. Definitely a learning curve.
Congrats on winning the giveaway. Check my latest video where I announced you as the winner and send me an address privately so I can send you the Raynox :)
I'm hoping to do some macro photography for small scale cars 1:64. Having a hard time framing with just extension tubes. Hope to have a macro lens soon!
Very helpful video Emilie! I am intrigued by the new macro lens and what advantages it will have over the other two lenses. What I would find useful at some point is to look at each lens in relation to different subject matter ie it sounds like the 30mm is best for fungi but in relation to insects and flowers (for instance) does the 90 mm have advantages over the 60mm and vice versa?
In term of composition and not cropping yes, the 90mm definitely has a big avantage because it allows you more flexibility with your composition. If you need to go closer you can and won't have to crop later. To me, that is a big game changer.
Nice and informative video clip Emilie 👌👌. I will also be keeping my 60mm macro. This was the third lens I ever bought and first Olympus lens. I did use it once for a portrait with good result but like you I mainly do wildlife and nature. I am advised that the 90mm macro lenses are due to arrive in UK on 3 March so hopefully will receive mine within a few days of the shipment arrival 😊😊
I have the 60mm and use the Pope Shied diffuser. Question: What is the increased working distance in inches from the front of lens of the 90mm to subject at a one to one ratio? Thanks in advance. Cheers!!!
Thank you Emilee. I am a beginner and still learning about my OM-5. My wife and I have a beautiful rose garden. If I take photos of a rose, would a macro lens give a better image than a portrait lens?
That depends on the close focus distance of the portrait lens. The Panasonic 42.5mm f/1.7 can focus pretty close; much closer than the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 or 75mm f/1.8, for instance. If you want to be able to be able to take a close up of an individual rain drop on a rose, you'll definitely want a macro lens, but if you want a lens you can use for both photos of roses and people, I would recommend the Sigma 56mm f/1.4. It has an excellent close focus distance, and if you find it to be inadequate, you can always add some extension tubes. It also has a very shallow depth of field for portraits and the focal length is perfect for either portraits or macro. The 60mm macro can take some pretty good portraits in the right conditions, but you won't be able to blur out your backgrounds nearly as much as with the Sigma 56mm f/1.4, for instance. However, if you really want to be able to take photos of the tiny little insects that are crawling around on your roses that are barely visible to the naked eye, the 60mm macro is perfect! In other words, if you want a portrait lens that can also do macro, get the Sigma 56mm f/1.4, but if you want a macro lens that can also take portraits, get the Olympus 60mm macro. Some other lenses to consider that could sort of fill both rolls are: Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro Olympus 12-100mm f/4 IS Pro Sigma 60mm f/2.8 (much cheaper than Olympus 60mm macro) Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Pro + extension tubes or teleconverter Panasonic/Leica 45mm f/2.8 Macro Olympus 75mm f/1.8 + extension tubes Panasonic 42.5mm f/1.7 (This lens sometimes requires manual focus to focus on subjects near the minimum focus distance, but it can focus pretty close if you force it to. It just has a tendency to want to focus on the background. Using extension tubes may help to prevent this because the lens will no longer be able to focus on the background.) I have owned all of the lenses mentioned above except for the 45mm macro, so feel free to ask me if you have any questions about any of those lenses.
I have one and I use it most of the time. I use a different type of flash than Emily, so the lens hood doesn't get in the way. I got an aftermarket one for a fraction of the price of the Olympus one and it works just fine. The main reason I use it is to avoid lens flare. I'd say it's useful, but not often necessary. That all depends on what you're using it for and whether you'll be indoors or outdoors though. If you often shoot outdoors and you have sunlight hitting your lens at an angle, that lens hood is going to be really useful. If you're working mostly indoors, it's probably not going to be an issue. Just keep in mind that when the lens hood is retracted, it blocks access to the manual focus ring. I use autofocus even for macro, so it's not a problem for me, but your experience may be different if you prefer to use manual focus.
Same question from me: Is your existing AK diffusor which was configured for OM-1 + 60mm also compatible with the new 90mm or do you have to get a new one?
Great video Emilie. I have the 30mm and the 60mm. I have also ordered the 90mm. I don't know if I am going to keep the 60mm or not. I will have to see how it compares to the 90mm at 1:1. I will keep the 30mm due to the field of view. Sometimes it's nice to have a little bit of the background in the photo.
Les trois objectifs sont super ,et à utilsés en fonction des photos désirées Pour ce qui est du concours, je demeure en France donc ...😭 mais je lirais le chanceux qui a gagné, car je regarde toutes tes vidéos Au plaisir Bonne journée Denis
You've re-piqued my interest in the 30mm; but I'm gonna lust after the 90 for a while 😅 I have been shooting flowers for a while, but I've been wanting to shoot my rock collection and have been eyeing a raynox!
QUESTION; I have the AK diffuser for the OM-1, FL600 flash, and the 60mm macro. Can you tell me if it will fit with the 90mm, which I have on pre-order? I hope you reach your goal, but you don’t have to put me in the giveaway. Thank you.
