Easy macro on the cheap

Pros:

• reasonable size
• cheap, especially on sale
• 1.25x magnification for macro
• more usable 30mm focal length for non-macro
• while not infallible, AF is good
• metal mount

Cons:

• not weather-sealed
• maximum aperture f3.5 is limiting
• you have to get close to do macro
• aside from metal mount, pretty plasticky otherwise
• no lens hood included

I used to own the well-regarded Olympus M Zuiko 60mm f2.8 Macro, yet I never particularly liked it. In fact, it's the only Olympus lens I ever regretted buying. IQ was fine, don't get me wrong, but I found the lens too slow to focus (I often gave up and switched to manual) and 60mm, while fine for macro, is mostly useless for anything else. At least for me.

Sleek packaging, but don't let it fool you. No lens hood included.

Here comes the newer 30mm F3.5 lens: a smaller, more confident-focusing macro lens from Olympus and one with a focal length closer to 25mm (50mm equivalent), giving you a wider field of view in macro and a more useful focal length when you are not actually shooting macro. The best part is once in a while it is sold at a discount making among the cheapest m43 lenses (with AF) you can buy (bought mine for about a hundred bucks).

For macro, you need to stop down a lot, some elbow space and plenty of light for best results.

Some will point out that 30mm is not long enough for macro, that you will scare away shy critters. I will concede that point up front. Yes, it might. And before you ask, yes, it might also make artificial lighting your subjects harder because you will stand closer to them, that is also true. But if you tend to shoot macro with things not so easily scared, and shoot more casually at that, then this is the lens for you.

For size reference, here are the 45mm f1.8, the 30mm f3.5 macro and the 60mm f2.8 macro side by side

The 30mm has another ace up its sleeve: it can shoot macro with greater magnification than the 60mm can. Though in practice, it doesn't make a huge difference, but it's worth acknowledging this advantage.

And IQ is actually... quite good. I would rank it as well above kit-zoom quality and, by the same token, as a possible upgrade path for kit zoom users. As previously stated, the focal length makes it much easier to go out and shoot non-macro stuff around the world.

Quite decent IQ for non-macro.

What is admittedly the lens' greatest flaw is the f3.5 maximum aperture, limiting you more to daylight (outdoors) or flash and other forms of artificial lighting. There is no way to really spin this, it is slow for a prime. But for the price, and the way you can use it for real macro, I think it is worth it.

And the only thing I really miss from my old 60mm macro is the weather-sealing: the 30mm f3.5 has none. But considering its price, again I understand the omission.

What's the difference between 1:1 and 1.25x magnification? Here is a quick and dirty test.

Ultimately, this lens embodies some of the best attributes of m43: small-ish, inexpensive yet very capable. It may not be a do-it-all lens (maximum aperture being the more limiting factor), but if you're looking for a macro lens that can do some double duty for general purpose photography, you can't go wrong here. Definitely recommended.

bluevellet wrote:

Pros:

• reasonable size
• cheap, especially on sale
• 1.25x magnification for macro
• more usable 30mm focal length for non-macro
• while not infallible, AF is good
• metal mount

Cons:

• not weather-sealed
• maximum aperture f3.5 is limiting
• you have to get close to do macro
• aside from metal mount, pretty plasticky otherwise
• no lens hood included

I used to own the well-regarded Olympus M Zuiko 60mm f2.8 Macro, yet I never particularly liked it. In fact, it's the only Olympus lens I ever regretted buying. IQ was fine, don't get me wrong, but I found the lens too slow to focus (I often gave up and switched to manual) and 60mm, while fine for macro, is mostly useless for anything else. At least for me.

Sleek packaging, but don't let it fool you. No lens hood included.

Here comes the newer 30mm F3.5 lens: a smaller, more confident-focusing macro lens from Olympus and one with a focal length closer to 25mm (50mm equivalent), giving you a wider field of view in macro and a more useful focal length when you are not actually shooting macro. The best part is once in a while it is sold at a discount making among the cheapest m43 lenses (with AF) you can buy (bought mine for about a hundred bucks).

For macro, you need to stop down a lot, some elbow space and plenty of light for best results.

Some will point out that 30mm is not long enough for macro, that you will scare away shy critters. I will concede that point up front. Yes, it might. And before you ask, yes, it might also make artificial lighting your subjects harder because you will stand closer to them, that is also true. But if you tend to shoot macro with things not so easily scared, and shoot more casually at that, then this is the lens for you.

For size reference, here are the 45mm f1.8, the 30mm f3.5 macro and the 60mm f2.8 macro side by side

The 30mm has another ace up its sleeve: it can shoot macro with greater magnification than the 60mm can. Though in practice, it doesn't make a huge difference, but it's worth acknowledging this advantage.

And IQ is actually... quite good. I would rank it as well above kit-zoom quality and, by the same token, as a possible upgrade path for kit zoom users. As previously stated, the focal length makes it much easier to go out and shoot non-macro stuff around the world.

Quite decent IQ for non-macro.

What is admittedly the lens' greatest flaw is the f3.5 maximum aperture, limiting you more to daylight (outdoors) or flash and other forms of artificial lighting. There is no way to really spin this, it is slow for a prime. But for the price, and the way you can use it for real macro, I think it is worth it.

And the only thing I really miss from my old 60mm macro is the weather-sealing: the 30mm f3.5 has none. But considering its price, again I understand the omission.

What's the difference between 1:1 and 1.25x magnification? Here is a quick and dirty test.

Ultimately, this lens embodies some of the best attributes of m43: small-ish, inexpensive yet very capable. It may not be a do-it-all lens (maximum aperture being the more limiting factor), but if you're looking for a macro lens that can do some double duty for general purpose photography, you can't go wrong here. Definitely recommended.

I like my 60 and have no focus hunting except sometimes when the focus limiter is set to min - infinity. Lens elements do have further to move in a longer FL.

I have thought about getting a 30. There are many times it would be in my bag while my 25 and 60 enjoy well-earned rest at home. How is it at, past 20m, 300m, ...?

When used for macro the lighting would have to be inside the lens hood! So perhaps, in this case, the omission of a lens hood isn't quite so daft.

Thank you David for confirming that my choice of the 30mm was a good one. As I’ve standardised on 58mm filters, I add a step-up ring which lives permanently on the lens, and acts in a small way as a hood so I don’t miss a proper hood - which would likely get in the way, anyway. But you didn’t mention how the lens performs in Antarctica?

The best part is once in a while it is sold at a discount making among the cheapest m43 lenses (with AF) you can buy (bought mine for about a hundred bucks).

I wish that I could find such bargains here in the UK.!

Peadingle wrote:

The best part is once in a while it is sold at a discount making among the cheapest m43 lenses (with AF) you can buy (bought mine for about a hundred bucks).

I wish that I could find such bargains here in the UK.!

Bought mine direct from Olympus Denmark (in late spring 2020, after skipping a sale the previous year).

Though i'm not sure if they really have an office/outlet in the country. I suspect it's really Olympus Europe (wherever it's located) with homepages in different languages for specific countries.

bluevellet wrote:

Bought mine direct from Olympus Denmark (in late spring 2020, after skipping a sale the previous year).

Though i'm not sure if they really have an office/outlet in the country. I suspect it's really Olympus Europe (wherever it's located) with homepages in different languages fo.r specific countries.

It's shown at 280 UK pounds at present. It may be worth keeping an eye on the site

The 30mm macro is also an excellent choice for converting slides to digital!

OM mani padme hum wrote:

The 60mm is bulkier, and focuses very slowly in low light indoors. I had mine at a concert last week and got frustrated; the f2.8 zooms focus much more rapidly, with less (or no) hunting.

That is a property of "long" macro lenses. The glass literally has to to move greater distances. For the same reason, it takes longer to drive to Miami from New York City than it does to drive from NYC to DC.

That is why Olympus has the focus limiter switch. If you're not shooting macro-ish subjects, like a concert, set it to 0.4m - infinity.

60 Focus limiter:
1:1 - Immediately set lens to closest focus point
0.19-4m - For subjects up to 4m away (eg. NYC to DC)
0.19-infinity - For subjects of any distance (eg. NYC to Miami)
4m - infinity - For subjects at least 4m away (eg. DC to Miami)

It will focus a lot faster but because of the focal length, optical design, and cost considerations, it is not one of the fastest focusing MFT lenses.

However, for things like insects that extra 100mm or so of space makes all the difference re getting an image or not.

FWIW, I also agree that 60mm isn't a particularly generally useful focal length, so have been using the 12-50 f3.5-6.3 on the GM5 a bit more lately. That also focuses slowly and AF at macro distances is basically worthless, but the range is useful and it's light, though bulky. I wonder how close the 12-45 Pro focuses...

Maybe I'm the odd one.

I like my 60mm macro, but I wouldn't say it's my most used lens.
I've used it as my longer lens for night time street shooting, and it's my preferred lens for tripod mount macro work for small items.
I do find 60mm can be a little short for macro shooting in the field, and I'm just as likely to shoot w the 14-150 or 100-300 w extension tubes.
Again, using extension tubes ups the magnification of the 60mm as needed.
For macro, focus speed isn't usually an issue, as I set at minimum and move the camera to get close.  and setting the limiter for distance reduces hunt when not shooting macro.  But yes, the lens focuses slowly to allow for finer adjustments when doing focus bracketing.
Finally, I really don't enjoy shooting in the 'normal' range of 20-30mm.  Give me 17mm for street, or over 100mm and up for nature.  I don't shoot much in the way of portraits, but even there I prefer a longer lens  
But I don't claim what works for me is good for everyone.  If it works for you, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Guy Parsons wrote:

Mark Thornton wrote:

When used for macro the lighting would have to be inside the lens hood! So perhaps, in this case, the omission of a lens hood isn't quite so daft.

Maybe they realise that people simply don't use lens hoods, so don't include them.

People, no. Photographers, yes.

(My lens hoods stay on almost all the time. Even on the 75-300. My old E-systems bag is just long enough for the E-M1+75-300+hood and therefore is my main bag.)

How many times out and about do I see people with cameras and the lens hood stays reversed on the lens all the time they are shooting? Or no lens hood at all of course.

Peadingle wrote:

The best part is once in a while it is sold at a discount making among the cheapest m43 lenses (with AF) you can buy (bought mine for about a hundred bucks).

I wish that I could find such bargains here in the UK.!

I bought my 30mm from the USA via its 'Global Store' and paid £187, which included postage and import duty. Ordered on a Monday, it was delivered on the Thursday.

I only disagree with about all of your assertions concerning the marvelous Olympus 60mm lens.

Nothing against the 30mm lens which fits some needs, budgets etc. It is OK if you like that distance, you know what I mean.  in macro...love the price, or fits one's stable of lenses.   the whole nine yards.

A macro is first off bought  for doing close or 1:1 macro. RIGHT?...if we disagree on that point, then we really are in different camps which is  okeedokee but sets a boundary.

For it price, build, weather resist and construction and distance limits,  I would contend that any batch of customer reviews on any vendor site will show strong pleasure in the 60mm FL.

I just had to say and contend that ---Olympus 60mm macro is one the company's finest optical achievements.      Cant think of a real nitpic here...  Well maybe price of a lens hood, but  yeah that bit.. aloha,

Lenses are tools, and each person will use them differently, and find different ways to get results. Many people may never use a lens to its full advantage, and the 30mm macros from Olympus and Panasonic fall very much into this category.

I have the P30mm, and find it a great lens for macro and general photography. It has taken me time to appreciate its advantages, and its shortcomings. You also have to learn how to use the light, and you have to learn what your insect subjects will do when intruded upon. Only by minimising your impact on their lives will you get good results, but when you do act carefully and slowly, you may really enjoy the lens more than something of a longer length like the Oly 60 that has less reason to be on your camera as a general purpose lens.

Good luck with your Oly 30. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do my P30mm. It's a great focal length...

>>Lenses are tools,,,<<,

Yes. Yes, Horses for courses and all statement implies....Agree. Who can dispute the idea,,,,Not I. Camera are a refinement of tools. We come a long way from hand axes and the industrial revolution depended on refinements...I love them! .

Observation. - Philips screwdriver.+ A tool. - Large Hedron Collider in Cerne,- Could be an extreme end of our tool building, huh?

Peadingle wrote:

The best part is once in a while it is sold at a discount making among the cheapest m43 lenses (with AF) you can buy (bought mine for about a hundred bucks).

I wish that I could find such bargains here in the UK.!

Amazon.uk had it on sale a few weeks ago for £167.00 ( Olympus 30mm macro ) and I got mine just before that for £197.00 from amazon . It is currently selling at £225.00 but if you shop with amazon just stick it in your save for later basket and if the price goes down again grab it quick.