Your Favorite Olympus OM macro?

[rob_h5]

<p>Just for fun, whats your favorite Olympus OM macro? It could be Olympus OM Zuiko or 3rd party lens brand. For me its the <strong>Olympus OM Zuiko 90mm f2 macro/portrait lens.</strong> I shot some still life of chili peppers with the Zuiko 90/2 and the Olympus OM-3 camera, the bokeh is the largest I have ever seen of any lens. The colors are extremely vibrant. Some other qualities include:</p>

<p>1) Insane sharpness (too sharp for most portraits). Doubles as a portait lens but needs a Tiffen Soft/FX filter softner filter for portraits or nylon stocking over the lens!<br /> 2) Macro is exceptional not only 1:2 life size but 1:1 and further with bellows. If you are into flowers, bugs, food, product, …whatever anything with macro this is your lens.<br /> 3) Speed. The fastest 90mm macro in the world! At f2 this prime lens holds the world record.</p>

<p>Overall one of the best prime lenses I have ever shot with.</p>

<p>For those not familiar with the Zuiko 90mm f2 lens or Olympus OM Zuiko macros:<br /> <a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/shared/macro/index1.htm">http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/shared/macro/index1.htm</a><br /> <a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/shared/zuiko/htmls/macrozuikoE.htm">http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/shared/zuiko/htmls/macrozuikoE.htm</a></p><div></div>

[steve_lane2]

<p>The only OM Zuiko macro lens I have left in my collection is the 80mm f4 1:1 that requires some form of extension to enable mounting onto the camera body. I have had this for around 20 years and I simple love the sharpness it delivers at life size - its optimum magnification. I also have its associated close up lens that enables magnification up to 2 x life size, which makes subjects like plant stamens very interesting.</p>

<p>I used to own the 20 and 38mm Zuiko's but I found they were much more specialist and did not use them much. They delivered exceptional results though and took me into another world.</p>

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[frode_inge_helland]

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[nick_baker]

<p>I shot with the OM 50mm F3.5 and 50mm F2 macro lenses for several decades. For macro purposes they were both excellent, I may even feel my best macro shots were with the f3.5. Obviously the f2 is more convenient as a standard lens, especially because the f3.5 does not even begin to be sharp until f5.6. The 50mm f2 worked extremely well with auto-extension tubes, which I never tried with the other lens. A potential advantage with the F2 lens is that it should make precise focus easier, although I am not sure how much difference this makes in practice.</p>

<p>My Leica 60mm macro Elmarit-R is better than either of the Zuiko lenses.</p>

[User_502260]

<p>I have the opposite experience with the 50/3.5. My copy is sharp at all f/stops and at all distances. For macro work I want enough depth of field so that the important parts of a subject are in focus. A faster lens can be helpful for focusing but very little macro shooting is done wide open whether at f/2 or at f/3.5. I also have two Vivitar 55/2.8 lenses in OM mount. If the light isn't as good as I would like I will use one of them. The Vivitars got to 1:1 without an extra extension tube and are sharp. The 90/2 Zuiko is not any faster than the 100/2 Zeiss Makro Planar. They must both be the fastest even if the Zeiss lens is not a 90. In OM mount I have a 90/2.8 Vivitar Macro and, with the right adapter, a Tamron 90/2.5 52BB. Whether macro lenses in this focal length range are too sharp for portraits is a matter of taste. </p>

[rob_h5]

<p>Jeff here is a list of the best 90mm macro lenses ever made:</p>

<p>Olympus OM Zuiko 90mm f2 Macro<br>

Leica 90mm f4 Elmar-M Macro<br>

Zoomar Kilar 90mm f2.8 Macro <br>

Vivitar Series 1 90mm f2.5 Macro <br>

Sigma 90mm f2.8 Macro<br>

Tamron 90mm f2.5 (52B) Macro<br>

Tokina AT-X 90mm F2.5 Macro<br>

Voigtländer 90mm f3.5 Macro</p>

<p>As you can see the <strong>Olympus OM Zuiko 90/2 still holds the world record as the fastest 90mm macro ever.</strong></p>

<p>That said you are right that large aperture and speed isnt really needed in macro photography as you do want DOF but ....it is definitely needed in portraiture! Especially if you like bokeh and even in the macro photography as you can see from my still life photo above I like bokeh in even the macro photos.</p>

<p>From what I hear the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 100/2 is the rival of the Olympus OM Zuiko 90/2 but since the Zeiss lens is 100mm not 90mm it doesnt get the "Worlds Fastest 90mm Macro Title" but as the "Fastest 100mm macro". Still the Zeiss is an excellent lens, you cant go wrong with either the Zuiko 90/2 macro or the Zeiss Makro 100/2 for the portrait/macro lens class. They both have the same number of diaphragm blades ( 9) and both have the same maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2 without using any bellows/extension tubes (my photo above was shot with the Zuiko 90/2 at maximum reproduction 1:2 life size at f2) IMO both these lenses the Zuiko 90/2 and Zeiss Makro 100/2 beat the Canon 100mm IS f2.8 L macro lens (Canon's top macro/portrait lens) in terms of speed and focal length.</p>

<p>Another advantage with the Zuiko 90/2 besides the shorter telephoto focal length, is you can actually focus a bit closer at 15.7" compared to 17.3" with the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 100/2.</p>

 

[Robin Smith]

<p>Your list of best macro lenses is a bit idiosynchratic I think. I think no-one else really considers the Elmar-M a typical macro lens - it does not got to 1:1 only 1:3 (with the adapter). If you want to include a Leica you should include the 100mm Apo-Macro-Elmarit. I am also amused you have ignored all the other macros made by Canon, Pentax, Minolta, Nikon etc many which have a fine reputations. Still I guess you are excited by your lens and if it's yours then perhaps it is the "best".</p>

<p>Also is the max reproduction ratio for the Olympus greater than the Zeiss? If so then the min focusing distance may be relevant, otherwise is it not simply a function of their focal length differences? </p>

[rob_h5]

<p>Robin nope none of the lenses you mentioned were left out...Canon,Pentax,Minolta, Nikon...ect. I looked at all those lens brands and that list is specifically for the <strong>90mm macro/portrait lens</strong> class so I couldnt include the other lenses because to my knowledge they never made 90mm macro lenses. I was just trying to illustrate a point regarding speed regarding the 90mm macro ...and the Zuiko 90/2 is still the winner in terms of speed. Still there are a ton of other fantastic macro lenses out there...too many to list really... of different focal lengths. I just happen to like the 90mm focal length because it doubles nicely for portraits.</p>

<p>And yes, as I already mentioned the Zeiss Makro 100mm f2 and Zuiko Macro 90 f2 have the same reproduction ratio and yes its just a function of the focal length difference. :)</p>

[User_502260]

<p>I have the 90/2.5 Vivitar Series 1 in Canon FD mount. I don't know of any test which shows that a manual focus 90/2.8 Sigma is one of the best 90mm macro lenses. I have the Tamron 90/2.5 SP but mine is the later 52BB version. The 52BB has more plastic in it, feels lighter and is supposed to have improved coating. I think mine has a Pentax KA adapter on it now for use with my K-x. The Tokina AT-X 90/2.5 is essentially the same lens as the Vivitar 90/2.5 Series 1. The outer cosmetics are slightly different and the coating is supposed to be slightly improved. The Zoomar Kilar is a very old design and does not have nearly as flat a field as the other lenses you mention. <br>

When it comes to portrait use, I don't really like the effect where the tips of the eyeballs are sharp and the rest is out of focus. That's just a matter of taste. If I want that effect I will reach for an 85/1.8 or maybe a Vivitar 135/2.3 Series 1. The Vivitar focuses to three feet and at that distance has very little DOF wide open. As for the distinction between a 90mm macro lens and a 100m macro lens, I don't consider it very important. I have a number of macro lenses in both focal lengths. On the wall in my office there is the Minolta poster showing cameras from 1928 to 1998. In 1962 Minolta made a camera called the Sonocon. According to the poster it was Minolta's first 16mm camera with a built in radio.<br>

In the 90mm range there are a number of lenses which are the same but have different names. Some license is used when stating the maximum aperture and even the focal length. A 90mm f/2.5 macro lens was sold under the names Elicar, Spiratone, Rokunar and Vivitar. There may have been even more names. A 90mm f/2.8 Macro lens was sold under the Vivitar and Panagor names. Some people think the 90/2.5 and 90/2.8 lenses are the same. They are all very good. I have two 90/2.8 Panagors in Konica AR mount, one in Minolta MD mount and one in Nikon AIS mount. My 90/2.5 Rokunar is in Minolta MD mount. I have three 100mm Minolta macro lenses: 100/3.5 MC Rokkor-X, 100/4 MD and 100/4 Bellows Rokkor-X. If I am not mistaken, the 100/4 Bellows Rokkor-X has the same lens elements as the 100/4 MD. My 100/4 Canon New FD Macro gets no respect but is a decent performer. The older 100/4 Canon FLM bellows lens is very good even if its coating is not so new. I have the rare and odd 105/4 Konica bellows macro lens. I say odd because it can be used either on a bellows or with a Helicoid but with the Helicoid it does not get terribly close. Topcon had a 135 which worked that way. Years ago while Olden was still operating I bought a 105/4 Noflexar bellows lens in Topcon mount. I use it with an Exakta adapter and have had good luck with it. I may have saved the best for last. It's the 100/2.8 Vivitar Macro (22XXX...) which is the same as the Kiron 105/2.8 Macro. It may be better than the 90/2.5 Vivitar Series 1. I have two of them in Canon FD mount. The lens goes to 1:1 without an extra tube.<br>

There are many good macro lenses out there and I do not claim to have all of them. I enjoy using the ones I have and I am always looking for another one to have fun with. I also have a nice selection of enlarging lenses I use for macro shooting. Is the 90/2 Zuiko the fastest and sharpest 90mm macro lens? I don't know and I don't know if that matters. Somewhere there might be a lens like a Printing Nikkor or an Ultra Micro Nikkor which is both sharper and faster but those are special purpose lenses without auto diaphragms. I'm glad to see you enjoy using your 90/2 and under the right circumstances I wouldn't mind having one myself.<br>

</p>

[rob_h5]

<blockquote>

<p>When it comes to portrait use, I don't really like the effect where the tips of the eyeballs are sharp and the rest is out of focus. That's just a matter of taste. <br>

A 90mm f/2.5 macro lens was sold under the names Elicar, Spiratone, Rokunar and Vivitar.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Jeff, thank you for sharing with everyone your awesome arsenal of macro lenses! I especially like your mention of the history and of some of the more obscure and rare macro lenses. I wasnt aware the Elicar, Spiratone, Rokunar are all the same macro lenses... just rebranded! As for portraits I do like shallow DOF in portraiture with focus on the eyes and pretty much everything else out of focus, which is why the Zuiko 90mm f2 is the best choice for me, I mainly shoot portraits, I do like to shoot macro but not as often as portraiture. And either the macro lenses in the 100mm or 90mm would be fine but 90mm is my preferred focal length for portraiture.</p>

<p>Robin, I agree with you, the Leica 90mm f4 Elmar-M Macro is not Leica's "best" macro, at 1:3 reproduction ratio thats pretty weak but its Leica's only 90mm macro which is why its on the list. Still the Leica 90/4 retails at $4000.00 ! You would think you would get a better macro for that price lol. Better macros by Leica in different focal lengths would be the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8 or as Nick mentioned the Leica 60mm macro Elmarit-R lens.</p>

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[ph.]

<p>At least my Kilfitt 90 has a peculiar "asperically"(=two different curvatures) ground element which does not seem to do much for its sharpness. In some light situations reflection shows. <br>

p.</p>