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Macro lenses for m43, old ones
  • I can't afford yet Leica DG Macro 45mm.
    Searching for alternative, old macro lenses, any experience in macro video filming ... ?
  • 52 Replies sorted by
  • I think I paid $13 for my Vivitar 55, but I almost never use it. Good for macros, though.

  • The Olympus Zuiko 43 (not m43) 70-300 is an old macro lens (140-600mm eq.) - it really gets close, from far away.

    See this video for examples:

  • No.

    Let's say I have an insect that is 3mm long. A 1:1 macro will project an image on the sensor that is 3mm long. That does not change.

    If your sensor is small, it will fill more of it, if it's large, it will fill less.

  • so you are saying: if I mount a 50mm 1:1 macro on a m43 I get 100mm 2:1; if I mount a 50mm 1:2 macro on a m43 I get 100mm 1:1, right?

  • 1:1 is always the same, just means that something is as large on the sensor as it is in reality.

    But a smaller sensor will fit less reality, of course ;-)

    Regarding the two versions I can only comment on the old Tamron, which I really love.

  • Vivitar 55mm fd fit macro is very sharp and dirt cheap

  • How does mounting an old macro lens on a m43 camera affect its parameters? Canon FD 50mm macro 3.5 1:2 on a m43 camera is effectively 100mm right? What about the 1:2 magnification? Is it somehow affected by the FD to m43 adapter as well?

    I am a beginner to macro

  • There are two types of Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 ... Witch it better ? Early or later ones ?

    tamron_90_early.JPG
    400 x 266 - 13K
    tamron_90_later.JPG
    266 x 400 - 20K
  • Get the Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 – it's a beautiful macro with excellent sharpness and bokeh.

  • I just purchased a canon fd 50 mm 1.4. Im rather new to the camera and lens experience and im looking to get a macro lens next. Can I concert the lens i mentioned above to work as macro? by adding tubes? or do i have to get a separate lens just for macro?

  • Picked up a SMC Takumar 35mm 2 days ago and am amazed at how small, light and sharp the little fella is. Placed alongside my other 35mm (namely, Zeiss and Leica) it can more than hold its own. Tack sharp and colours are so saturated. But is a little soft wide open, and does not have the Flektogon's close focusing at 0.7
  • how about:
    Canon FD 35-105mm f/3.5 Macro ?
    any experience ?
  • >The 50 3.5 Rokkor is a good lens but 3.5 is just a bit on the slow side
    if you're using it for real macro, you will be only at a few centimeters from the object, so working with natural light is kind of difficult anyway (you'll cause the shadow most of the time)
  • Long modern lenses (90mm) are usually superior. They are both sharp, have AF, and also much lighter.
    Vivitar 5mm is the most useful old macro on m43 bodies, as I think. It is also much cheaper than highly advertised 90-105mm lenses.
  • I've tested the Vivitar 135mm, and they make several variations, including several Komine variations, and while some are better than others they were all a bit soft wide open. The 105mm "lester" is a sharp lens, but they go for a premium. The 50 3.5 Rokkor is a good lens but 3.5 is just a bit on the slow side and I slightly prefer the Viv 55mm here. But they are all good!
  • Don't forget the Russian lenses, quite highly rated some of them... M39 LTM variations mean shorter mount distances and more stable lens :)
  • @stonebat
    thank you, i will buy this one in near future.

    To alll of you thank you for your suggestions, will check if I can get one at affordable price.
  • Canon FD 50mm f3.5 Macro with 1:1 extension. One of the sharpest lenses I have ever used.
  • @lattiboy
    +1 on all of your selection!
    ...and the Minolta is still cheap, too ...because few know about it.
    BTW Welcome!