GM5 for macro

As far as I know, there is nothing better for macro than Oly EM1.2 (I presume that Pana G9 would be same, except for stacking with flash).

But when you want to travel extra light, then the GM5 solution is the best.

Is you want to picture flowers of still objects, then there is nothing better than the Pana 30 macro that has an incredible sharpness. Unfortunately, for moving animals, you have to come much too close. It could be for snails, but certainly not for reptiles or bees (e.g).

The Oly 60mm macro is much better, but still to close for shy small insects like bees.

I already explained how I use the Oly EM1.2 with the Pana 45-175+ Marumi for bee pictures.

When I want to travel light, I use the GM5 instead. And also, I made a very simple and efficient system for flashlight. I use the Oly FL3 and a translucid screen that I screw between the ND filter and the Marumi +3.


GM5 + 45-175 + Marumi +3 diopters + flash Oly LM3 + translucid screen + ND. Less than 600g

Please remark that I use a diameter 55mm Marumi instead of 46. That avoids coma aberration at the edge of the lens.


Most of the settings are summarized here, flash if TTL, the WB for the next turtle pictures is complicated while they are in a special reptile light.




Portrait of an European Pond turtle




Portrait of a Spotted turtle

Turtles are not the best for a demonstration but there is an extremely bad weather now in Belgium and bees are not yet flying at all. Also, the reptile high power spots make a greenish tinge that is not easy to remove.

Bye, Pierre





--
Pierre Rasmont
Lab of Zoology, University of Mons, Belgium

Just one more turtle




Portrait of a juvenile Diamondback terrapin

Pierre
Lab of Zoology, University of Mons, Belgium

Welcome.

An interesting approach. I try to remember to take my Raynox 150, when used with the 14-140mm it is a light and quick add-on solution with GF7 or GM5. Example here

shmelej said:

Just one more turtle


Portrait of a juvenile Diamondback terrapin

Pierre
Lab of Zoology, University of Mons, Belgium

Click to expand...

Love me some tetsudines. Have you compared the Marumi lenses with other close-up lenses?



--
Archer in Boulder
God loves the noise just as much as the signal.

shmelej said:

But when you want to travel extra light, then the GM5 solution is the best.

Is you want to picture flowers of still objects, then there is nothing better than the Pana 30 macro that has an incredible sharpness. Unfortunately, for moving animals, you have to come much too close. It could be for snails, but certainly not for reptiles or bees (e.g).

The Oly 60mm macro is much better, but still to close for shy small insects like bees.

Click to expand...

Interesting, I never tried macro with the GM's. You inspired me to put the 60mm on the GM5. And it's a surprisingly good match for handling. It may be a long lens, but has a small diameter and is very light (balances well on the GM5) and it's an easy lens to put in a pocket. However, I can imagine having no IS will be a slight disadvantage. I just see that the Panasonic 30mm you mention does have IS, which suddenly makes this lens seem desirable (I actually had never considered it before).


Under 400g for camera with lens! Who would have thought... GM5 for macro. And one could even fit the TC-14 with a ring in between. I think I have a new toy to play with for a while... without spending any extra money....

cba_melbourne said:

shmelej said:

But when you want to travel extra light, then the GM5 solution is the best.

Is you want to picture flowers of still objects, then there is nothing better than the Pana 30 macro that has an incredible sharpness. Unfortunately, for moving animals, you have to come much too close. It could be for snails, but certainly not for reptiles or bees (e.g).

The Oly 60mm macro is much better, but still to close for shy small insects like bees.

Click to expand...

Interesting, I never tried macro with the GM's. You inspired me to put the 60mm on the GM5. And it's a surprisingly good match for handling. It may be a long lens, but has a small diameter and is very light (balances well on the GM5) and it's an easy lens to put in a pocket. However, I can imagine having no IS will be a slight disadvantage. I just see that the Panasonic 30mm you mention does have IS, which suddenly makes this lens seem desirable (I actually had never considered it before).


Under 400g for camera with lens! Who would have thought... GM5 for macro. And one could even fit the TC-14 with a ring in between. I think I have a new toy to play with for a while... without spending any extra money....

Click to expand...

That is the often not noticed factor of the GM5 - it is in fact a proper camera that takes proper pictures.

I think we all (including myself) tend to notice the features and user convenience that “sell cameras” and forget that even the basic cameras such as the GM series can in fact make the same sort of images as the larger ones for all basic imaging needs.

--
Tom Caldwell

Nice turtle shots.

Using an ND filter is a good idea. I've tried shooting macro with my GM1 and GX850 in the past, but the slow flash sync speed made them nearly unusable in daylight.