Sharp <$200 macro lens?

[micromoth3s]

I'm looking for a macro lens. Its main use will be to scan negatives on my GH5, but I also want to be able to shoot very sharp close ups when I need to (e.g. cat pictures, identifying bugs). I don't need autofocus or IS since I will be using a tripod or relying on IBIS.

So far I've identified the following candidates:

• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro (only goes 1:1 magnification but the results look very nice)
• Lumix G 30mm 3/2.8 (not sure about performance)
• Meike 60mm F2.8 (1:1.5 magnification, nice)
• TTArtisan 40mm f2.8 (1:1, negative reviews point out excessive light leaks/diffusion)

Any others I should consider within my price range? Thanks!

 

[ahaslett]

If you are lucky you might be able to get an FT Zuiko 50/2 macro in budget - the reference lens for Four Thirds. Cheap FT to MFT adapters are not that expensive. You might even get very lucky and find one bundled with an MMF-1, MMF-3 or DMW-MA1.

A

 

[John Bean (UK)]

I'm looking for a macro lens. Its main use will be to scan negatives on my GH5, but I also want to be able to shoot very sharp close ups when I need to (e.g. cat pictures, identifying bugs). I don't need autofocus or IS since I will be using a tripod or relying on IBIS.

So far I've identified the following candidates:

• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro (only goes 1:1 magnification but the results look very nice)
• Lumix G 30mm 3/2.8 (not sure about performance)
• Meike 60mm F2.8 (1:1.5 magnification, nice)
• TTArtisan 40mm f2.8 (1:1, negative reviews point out excessive light leaks/diffusion)

Any others I should consider within my price range? Thanks!

I have the Panasonic 30 that performs flawlessly at all distances so is ideal as a general purpose lens as well as a macro.

I also use a TTartisan 40 in Sony APS-C mount and have seen no evidence of light leaks. It performs well above it's price point.

 

[James Stirling]

I'm looking for a macro lens. Its main use will be to scan negatives on my GH5, but I also want to be able to shoot very sharp close ups when I need to (e.g. cat pictures, identifying bugs). I don't need autofocus or IS since I will be using a tripod or relying on IBIS.

So far I've identified the following candidates:

• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro (only goes 1:1 magnification but the results look very nice)

The 35mm F/3.5mm has a 1.25x mag

• Lumix G 30mm 3/2.8 (not sure about performance)
• Meike 60mm F2.8 (1:1.5 magnification, nice)
• TTArtisan 40mm f2.8 (1:1, negative reviews point out excessive light leaks/diffusion)

Any others I should consider within my price range? Thanks!

--
Jim Stirling:
"Cogito, ergo sum" Descartes
Feel free to tinker with any photos I post

 

[jalywol]

The Olympus has a 1:1.25 max mag. I have one and like it a lot.

Since you don't need AF or OIS, why not just get a 50mm legacy macro lens? There were many fine ones made, and they are not particularly expensive.

-J

 

[drmarkf]

I’ve used the 30mm f3.5 for this for years.

It was designed principally for use for copying flat-field items, such as slides, and the shorter focal length means the operating distance to the subject is a lot more manageable.

If you use the 60mm you’ll need to string together a lot of step up rings (or similar, such as making up a custom tube) to get sufficient length, while the 30 in fact fits the excellent Nikon ES-1 and -2 slide copier adapters perfectly, with just one step up ring.

In terms of optical performance reviews, as I recall it’s pretty indistinguishable from the 60mm at apertures below around f5.6.

 

[SonyX]

I'm looking for a macro lens. Its main use will be to scan negatives on my GH5, but I also want to be able to shoot very sharp close ups when I need to (e.g. cat pictures, identifying bugs). I don't need autofocus or IS since I will be using a tripod or relying on IBIS.

So far I've identified the following candidates:

• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro (only goes 1:1 magnification but the results look very nice)

1:1 in MFT measures is 17.3*13mm area, 35mm negative area is - 36*24mm, so this lens is already perfect for your needs from about 1:2 magnification

Any others

no, unless you want some more distance from the bugs

 

[Woody Meristem]

I had a 7Artisans 60mm macro for my Olympus camera, it did a fine job and I only sold it because I decided I wanted/needed auto focus. Sometimes I think I should have kept the 7Artisans lens since the Olympus 60mm's auto focus is slow at times.

 

[DrHook59]

I'm looking for a macro lens. Its main use will be to scan negatives on my GH5, but I also want to be able to shoot very sharp close ups when I need to (e.g. cat pictures, identifying bugs). I don't need autofocus or IS since I will be using a tripod or relying on IBIS.

So far I've identified the following candidates:

• Lumix G 30mm 3/2.8 (not sure about performance)

Some results here to compare against what you have seen from the O30mm. There is probably little difference in image quality but the P30mm is faster and has OIS should you ever need to shoot it with a body that has no IBIS. It is a lovely lens to shoot with. I have also used it to copy 35mm slides, and it's very good for that, too.

 

[Sam Bennett]

I'm looking for a macro lens. Its main use will be to scan negatives on my GH5, but I also want to be able to shoot very sharp close ups when I need to (e.g. cat pictures, identifying bugs). I don't need autofocus or IS since I will be using a tripod or relying on IBIS.

So far I've identified the following candidates:

• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro (only goes 1:1 magnification but the results look very nice)
• Lumix G 30mm 3/2.8 (not sure about performance)
• Meike 60mm F2.8 (1:1.5 magnification, nice)
• TTArtisan 40mm f2.8 (1:1, negative reviews point out excessive light leaks/diffusion)

Any others I should consider within my price range? Thanks!

I've been very happy with the Olympus 30/3.5, which I picked up used in Like-New condition for $140.

 

[sherman_levine]

Have you considered putting an achromatic diopter lens on your 24-60?

Nisi has a 3-diopter (30cm working distance) product.

The Canon 250D is 4-diopter (25cm) and available both new and used.

--

Sherm

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