Panasonic 30mm f/2.8 Macro - any good?

Hi guys, I've always been looking to purchase a macro lens because I love shooting close-ups of textures and plants, but on full frame they've always been a bit too big. So now I've got a GH4, I'm keep to cash in on the more affordable and more compact macro lenses for m4/3. But the question is, which of the 3 macro lenses?

Panny-Leica 45mm is too expensive so that just leaves the 30mm and the Olympus 60mm. Which would be better on a GH4 body? The new 30mm is also currently on sale; only $320, but is the Olympus still better for $200 more?

Thanks as always

The 30mm was just reviewed at SLRGEAR.  You can compare with the 60mm.

http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=1777

http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1567/cat/14

Some nice shots you got there Did you encounter any problems with the lens shading the subject at close distances. That's my only real concern. The focus limiter and other stuff isn't too much of a concern to me.

tkbslc wrote:

The reviews are great for the lens. It should be very sharp.

Here's a quick list of Pros for each lens:

60mm Pros:

• more working distance is better for insects
• longer focal length means more blurred backgrounds in macros
• Focus limiter makes AF quicker - especially for AF tracking
• Doubles as a portrait and indoor sports lens (again, AF limiter handy)

30mm Pros:

• Close to a normal focal length. Could be used a "standard" prime
• Stabilization would be handy for cameras without IBIS - especially for video
• About an inch (20mm) shorter than 60mm
• Possibly cheaper - depending on sales.

I'd say if you want to shoot insects and portraits, go for the 60mm. If you want a more "all-around" prime, then get the 30mm. You might also decide by seeing what focal lengths you need to fill in your lens lineup. If your gear list is accurate, you already have 30mm f2.8 covered by your 12-35mm lens. But you don't have any m4/3 lenses in the short telephoto ranges around 60mm. I think 60mm would provide a nice progression from the 35mm f2.8 end of your zoom.

Thanks for the comparison. My only real concern about the Olympus 60mm is the lack of IS. Aside from that the longer focal length would be nicer to give a bit more distance between the camera and the subject, but I would only really be shooting still objects, so shading is my only real worry there.

justgo99 wrote:

Hi guys, I've always been looking to purchase a macro lens because I love shooting close-ups of textures and plants, but on full frame they've always been a bit too big. So now I've got a GH4, I'm keep to cash in on the more affordable and more compact macro lenses for m4/3. But the question is, which of the 3 macro lenses?

Panny-Leica 45mm is too expensive so that just leaves the 30mm and the Olympus 60mm. Which would be better on a GH4 body? The new 30mm is also currently on sale; only $320, but is the Olympus still better for $200 more?

 

I couldn't find it at that price.

All dealers I saw had it listed at 397, same on eBay.

shop.panasonic.com shows backordered at 399.99.

rd

RedDog Steve wrote:

justgo99 wrote:

Hi guys, I've always been looking to purchase a macro lens because I love shooting close-ups of textures and plants, but on full frame they've always been a bit too big. So now I've got a GH4, I'm keep to cash in on the more affordable and more compact macro lenses for m4/3. But the question is, which of the 3 macro lenses?

Panny-Leica 45mm is too expensive so that just leaves the 30mm and the Olympus 60mm. Which would be better on a GH4 body? The new 30mm is also currently on sale; only $320, but is the Olympus still better for $200 more?

I couldn't find it at that price.

All dealers I saw had it listed at 397, same on eBay.

shop.panasonic.com shows backordered at 399.99.

rd

http://www.teds.com.au/panasonic-lumix-30mm-f2-8-macro-lens-black

It's a major camera retailer in Australia. Anyway, I just purchased it, but haven't really been able to try it (it's dark right now). But I'll post some stuff, and maybe even a proper review in the coming days.