Olympus MCON-P01 Macro Converter

[efontu]

Can any of you share your experience with the Olympus MCON-P01 Macro Converter? I am not looking for a real macro lens. I just don't need that magnification. I would use it mostly to photograph small flowers like orchids, not very tiny insects and the like.

Could it be possible to use this macro converter attached to my Olympus 45mm 1.8? Can I expect some kind of image quality with these set up?

Would you recommend this small and affordable Olympus accessory? If not, are there any alternatives for "macro" work with my needs in mind?

 

[NZ Scott]

efontu wrote:

Can any of you share your experience with the Olympus MCON-P01 Macro Converter? I am not looking for a real macro lens. I just don't need that magnification. I would use it mostly to photograph small flowers like orchids, not very tiny insects and the like.

Could it be possible to use this macro converter attached to my Olympus 45mm 1.8? Can I expect some kind of image quality with these set up?

Would you recommend this small and affordable Olympus accessory? If not, are there any alternatives for "macro" work with my needs in mind?

There are two main alternatives if you are concerned about high quality.

The first is the Marumi DHG Achromat, which comes in 200 (+5) and 330 (+3.3) strengths. I use a 200 on my 40-150 lens and it works great. I've also used it once or twice on the 45/1.8 and it worked fine. The Marumis come with various filter threads. I bought one with a 58mm filter thread because it matches my 40-150, and I use stepping-rings when I'm using it on smaller lenses such as the Olympus 45/1.8. The 45/1.8 has a 37mm filter thread, so I use a 37-58mm step-up ring which cost a couple of bucks off ebay.

Go to this page and scroll down to pictures four and five for more information on the Marumis.

http://www.marumi-international.com/dhg/page3.html#a06


Another alternative is the Raynox DCR-150 or Raynox DCR-250. I have not used either of the Raynoxes but a lot of people like them. They clip, rather than screw, onto the front of the lens.

http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/digital/d_slr/index.html


I chose to buy a Marumi instead of a Raynox because it was cheaper on ebay.

You should be able to find a Marumi or a Raynox for somewhere between US $50 and US $80, including shipping.

If you don't want to spend that much then you could just buy a macro filter. However, macro filters are not as good as the Marumis and Raynoxes because they have only one glass element and are not corrected for distortions, etc.

I took these photographs with a Marumi Achromat DHG 200 mounted on an Olympus 40-150:













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My Flickr stream:
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[efontu]

Thank you very much for your very valuable information. I think I will go for the Marumi.

 

[zkz5]

efontu wrote:

Can any of you share your experience with the Olympus MCON-P01 Macro Converter? I am not looking for a real macro lens. I just don't need that magnification. I would use it mostly to photograph small flowers like orchids, not very tiny insects and the like.

It is small, cheap and weighs nothing. Yes, it works well with the 45/1.8.

Here are a few shots with the 45/1.8 + MCON-P01:



















I *think* this was with the adapter:











45/1.8 minimum focus distance without MCON-P01: (that's the 45/1.8 lens cap)











45/1.8 minimum focus distance with MCON-P01:

 

[NZ Scott]

Third one (turtle) is nice.

 

[zkz5]

NZ Scott wrote:

Third one (turtle) is nice.

Thanks

 

[zakgott]

Thank you for the information about Marumi - super helpful to me. I'm a beginner however and not sure what the difference is between the Marumi 200 and 300 (does the 300 have better magnification?). Would be very grateful to know if possible!