Going from FF to 4/3 for macro?

[Will Rose]

40 years experience. No budget restrictions

Then get the OM1 with the 90mm Macro and the MC20 teleconverter.

You'll have a compact image-stabilized system that will do native 4:1 magnification with full auto-focus (even before you add any tubes or close up lenses), with in-camera focus bracketing AND in-camera focus stacking.

As everyone has been saying, there’s no better system for macro than MFT.

If you prefer Panasonic, the G9 Mk2 will also do an excellent job, but you lose in-camera stacking.

That would be a top of the line system. If you want to radically cut the weight and are content to start at 1:1, replace the 90 and teleconverter with the 60mm macro. It’s an excellent but tiny lens.

Have fun!

 

[Cruidin]

Supplement the gear with Helicon focus.

 

[Bobapingu]

Supplement the gear with Helicon focus.

No argument with the power of Helicon. However, the freebie OM Workspace software provides a measure of focus stacking, or more correctly, the stacking of focus bracketed images. Also, I can't speak for Pana but the higher end OMS cameras in conjunction with certain lenses, allow in-camera focus stacking. You get a stacked image right there on your camera within seconds of a hand-held exposure. the downside is that the stacked image is slightly cropped and jpeg only. However, the camera retains the raw images that were used. These can be stacked as raw with your stacking software of choice.

 

[David Fell]

Could going 4/3 be a good option? Suggestions.

This guys channel on YT I find very interesting: Micael Widell - YouTube

 

[mikero]

I know the 90mm macro is more expensive and heavier than the 60mm, but there are some significant advantages for my type of photography where I like to use focus bracketing to get the whole subject in focus.

The 90mm offers a slightly longer working distance, better stabilisation and probably most importantly for me, much faster focusing. The faster focusing is of significant benefit allowing a one to rattle through a stack in much less time, reducing the risk of frame to frame movement.

Mike

 

[gugim]

Micael Widell is a good recomendation as he started his channel with Sony A74 FF and now uses Om-1 and the 90MM. Another place to see inspiration for this move is with "British Spiderman" https://www.youtube.com/@StewartWoodArt who moved from a Canon FF to EM-1 Markii and is getting wonderfull results IMHO.

 

[jim mij]

have a look in the macro forum, lots of oly example images there

 

[Adrian Harris]

I sold my full frame stuff a little while back..long story won't bore you!..Anyway, I want to invest in a system mainly for macro work, insects, still life, etc. but due to health issues want a lightweight system and excellent view finder with good AF where practical (though I realise from my experience , many subjects are better using MF) Could going 4/3 be a good option? Suggestions.

I realise that this is an older thread and you have probably made your choice by now, but I didn't spot anyone mentioning focus bracketing, or in camera stacking.

The olympus OM1 series of cameras are not light, but I believe their feature set for macro is still class leading. Being able to easily shoot macro focus bracketing and in in camera stacking HANDHELD is just incredible.

Many other systems can require lots of expensive and complex accessories to achieve the same results.