Macro Lenses

dezzo · Aug 14, 2000

Hi,

I'm thinking of purchasing a macro lens for the C-2020z

question is what are the different types and how are they different?

One important thing I'd like to know about macro lenses is that is it possible to have a very large depth of field when using macro lenses - meaning everything is in focus... not only a certain portion of the picture.

Thanks!
Desmond

dezzo · Aug 14, 2000

also, where can you purchase them from on the net?
thanks again!

Eric Bowden · Aug 15, 2000

I purchased the Crystal Optics .42x wide angle / macro lens attachment at the same time I bought my 2020 (from an online retailer). It's a 2-piece lens that when together is the .42x super-wide angle/semi-fish-eye lens, and when only the base piece is used it acts as a super-macro filter. It dramatically changes the 2020's "macro" capabilities to allow the camera to capture the tiniest things in huge detail. I wrote a review and posted sample images taken with the macro part here: http://www.suthnr.com/digicam/macro-lens.html .

As far as buying online, I got mine as an "add-on" sale when I called to order the camera. I was told about it and got it as I knew I wanted a macro lens anyway. I looked around after getting my camera and didn't really see the macro lens listed on too many websites, including the one I bought from. But I would imagine if you called some of them up and asked, they might have it in stock for the add-on sales.

EricB

Dezzo said:
Hi,

I'm thinking of purchasing a macro lens for the C-2020z

question is what are the different types and how are they different?

One important thing I'd like to know about macro lenses is that is it
possible to have a very large depth of field when using macro lenses -
meaning everything is in focus... not only a certain portion of the
picture.

Thanks!
Desmond

Johnny · Aug 15, 2000

There are three ways to do macro on the 2020. Native mode, close-up lenses and macro lenses. In the case of macro lenses and close-up lenses, you can focus closer than the normal 8". This allows you to fill your frame with your subject. I'm not sure what you're expecting to be fully in focus. If you're talking about subject, yes. If you're talking about subject and background, probably not. Macro lenses are like telephotos. They shorten up your DOF.

Close-up lenses - Look like filters but are measured in diopters. You can stack them and get closer. I haven't used them myself. I'm sure someone else who has used them can comment more on them.

Macro lenses - I have used the Olympus B-Macro lens and have been really

pleased with it. Comes with a flash diffuser so your flash at close range doesn't come across as harsh. Will allow you to get 4-5" from your subject. Close down the aperture and you can get great DOF.

Johnny

misha · Aug 15, 2000

dezzo said:
also, where can you purchase them from on the net?
thanks again!

I have some samples taken with a Tiffen close-up set (two close-up lenses, +7 and +10 diopters). Got them from bugeyedigital.com.

http://www.zing.com/album/?albumlist=0&tstart=0&tpics=20&tshowall=1&tnewonly=1&id=4293800463&tcols=4

Misha

dezzo · Aug 15, 2000

Thanks everybody for your responses to my ramblings...!!

Johnny, Is the B-macro lens really $200+ ?

Do you have any sample shots posted on the web somewhere that we could take a look at? How close can you go with the B-macro? Is it a chunky add-on?

Sunhtr, I like your moth and ant shots... but the background is not in focus... which looks good, but I would be taking photos of tiny building models and it's not too good for me.

Thanks Misha for the link to your photos and bugeyedigital.. looks like I might purchase from them, they don't have standard Olypmus stuff though.

thanks again!

Barry Carter · Aug 15, 2000

I think you are asking a little bit much for "very large depth of field"; especially from a CCD which is very sensitive to light. First (correction encouraged), a true macro lens is designed to give real life (1:1) imaging, and also provide a flat field across the image plane. A wide angle lens or greater is not a macro lens, and in general is plagued by field curvature and excessive color fringing in extreme cases. A good macro lens will give good scale without the distorted or "fisheye" look. Also, because the depth of field is so shallow, a stand or tripod is highly recommended. Classically, the only way to get really good depth of field was to use "pin-hole" size apertures ( +8 diopter), and a "true" macro lens is the extra element used to correct for color and a field flatner IMO. Do a search on past Macro threads for more tips.

Ciao...Barry

Dezzo said:
Hi,

I'm thinking of purchasing a macro lens for the C-2020z

question is what are the different types and how are they different?

One important thing I'd like to know about macro lenses is that is it
possible to have a very large depth of field when using macro lenses -
meaning everything is in focus... not only a certain portion of the
picture.

Thanks!
Desmond

Johnny · Aug 15, 2000

Member said:
Johnny, Is the B-macro lens really $200+ ?

It was a little costly but I don't think it was quite $200.

Member said:
Do you have any sample shots posted on the web somewhere that we could
take a look at? How close can you go with the B-macro? Is it a chunky
add-on?

I have some samples up at http://home.att.net/~johnny.motown/lens_comparo

Johnny

misha · Aug 15, 2000

Johnny said:
Member said:

Johnny, Is the B-macro lens really $200+ ?

Click to expand...

It was a little costly but I don't think it was quite $200.

It's under $100 (90-something) at buy.com .

Misha

Charles Chien · Aug 15, 2000

Misha said:
dezzo said:

also, where can you purchase them from on the net?
thanks again!

Click to expand...

I have some samples taken with a Tiffen close-up set (two close-up
lenses, +7 and +10 diopters). Got them from bugeyedigital.com.

http://www.zing.com/album/?albumlist=0&tstart=0&tpics=20&tshowall=1&tnewonly=1&id=4293800463&tcols=4

Misha

Misha,

Thanks for sharing. Nice shots! I especially like this one taken with +10 diopter:

http://www.zing.com/album/pictures.html?id=4293800463&p=4286649832

I have been playing with a reversed 35mm camera lens in front of my 2020z. Here are some of the samples that I have:

http://www.geocities.com/cchien_starbase/Macro/ThumbNails.htm

These have been resized and auto-leveled with the exception that the fly shots were cropped. The result is fairly OK, but the setup is big. So, I am considering a +10 close-up lens as a more convenient alternative. If you can post more pictures taken with +10 without cropping, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

Charles

misha · Aug 15, 2000

Charles Chien said:
Thanks for sharing. Nice shots! I especially like this one taken with
+10 diopter:

Thanks!

Member said:
I have been playing with a reversed 35mm camera lens in front of my
2020z. Here are some of the samples that I have:

http://www.geocities.com/cchien_starbase/Macro/ThumbNails.htm

Excellent pictures. I don't have any SLR lenses, so I just got the close-up set.

If you can post more pictures taken with +10 without cropping, I would

Member said:
really appreciate it. Thanks.

I will.

Misha

Mark Weymouth · Aug 15, 2000

dezzo said:
also, where can you purchase them from on the net?
thanks again!

I think this will help you in your shopping experience. Try these sites whenever you want to buy anything online and computer related.
http://www.shopper.com
http://www.pricewatch.com
http://www.computershopper.com

The best thing to do is to know the part number for what you are searching for and then search using that. For example with your B-MACRO LENS you would use 103895. Be careful of shipping costs as some will jack it up to $20.00 and have the very best price. I got my 3030Z for $798 and have been generally pleased with the place that sold it to me. Most places have a toll free number so you can find out how long they have been in business. Also, buy.com and onvia.com do a lot of free shipping weeks/weekends and they have great prices. Good luck!

dezzo · Aug 16, 2000

Johnny! I love your page... the way you did the comparisons and such and how the C2020z looks with all the attachments!!
I've learnt more than the macro lens now.. thanks so much!

Johnny wrote:
It was a little costly but I don't think it was quite $200.
I have some samples up at http://home.att.net/~johnny.motown/lens_comparo

Johnny

Charles Chien · Aug 16, 2000

Misha said:
Charles Chien said:

Thanks for sharing. Nice shots! I especially like this one taken with
+10 diopter:

Click to expand...

Thanks!

Member said:

I have been playing with a reversed 35mm camera lens in front of my
2020z. Here are some of the samples that I have:

http://www.geocities.com/cchien_starbase/Macro/ThumbNails.htm

Click to expand...

Excellent pictures. I don't have any SLR lenses, so I just got the
close-up set.

If you can post more pictures taken with +10 without cropping, I would

Member said:

really appreciate it. Thanks.

Click to expand...

I will.

Misha

Thanks. Here is one more that I just took last night:

http://www.geocities.com/cchien_starbase/Macro/P8150040.htm

I spent half an hour for this guy to build up his web, and took 64 pictures in about 20min. I got 5 that I am fairly happy with. And, this is my favorite one. It has been resized, auto-leveled, and slightly sharpen.

Happy shooting.

Charles

mindless · Aug 16, 2000

Has anyone tried combining the +10 and +7 diopter attatchments for an even closer view? is it even possible, and if it is, are there any problems with it? (vingetting, fuzzy images, etc?) If anyone has done it, or if you have the diopters and try it, please post some pics, I would very much like to see some. I'm debating against this combination or the raynox 5.5x supermacro lens for my 3000.

Misha said:
Charles Chien said:

Thanks for sharing. Nice shots! I especially like this one taken with
+10 diopter:

Click to expand...

Thanks!

Member said:

I have been playing with a reversed 35mm camera lens in front of my
2020z. Here are some of the samples that I have:

http://www.geocities.com/cchien_starbase/Macro/ThumbNails.htm

Click to expand...

Excellent pictures. I don't have any SLR lenses, so I just got the
close-up set.

If you can post more pictures taken with +10 without cropping, I would

Member said:

really appreciate it. Thanks.

Click to expand...

I will.

Misha

Johnny · Aug 17, 2000

dezzo said:
Johnny! I love your page... the way you did the comparisons and such and
how the C2020z looks with all the attachments!!
I've learnt more than the macro lens now.. thanks so much!

You're welcome and thank you for your compliments!

One of these days I have to redo some of the shots. Macro shots of the Olympus battery aren't very interesting! Plus I need to add shots with the EagleEye.

Johnny

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