Mike Swaim queried:
>To recap: my interest is strictly non-specific and amatuer in nature; (ie:
>no specific requirements,... yet). Money _is_ an issue. Convience and
>actual useability and flexibilty are other issues. I probably won't get
>much use out of anything that's too much hassle to set-up and carry in a
>waist case and mount/shoot off a very conventional light Bogen or Tiltall
>tripod.
>Anybody out there with various macro experience care to comment? I'm open
>to comments on lenses, tubes, bellows, film, lighting, tricks, etc. Has
>anybody bought either the 38/2.8 or 135/4.5 or bellows or auto tubes and
>regretted it?
Haven't regretted buying any Olympus stuff. The macro capabilities of the
OM gear is one of the strongest points of the line. There are three lenses (at
least)
which will go from infinity to 1:2 magnification (image 1/2 of subject size)
without extension tubes or aux lenses. Beyond that there is a line of lenses to
get from
1:2 to 12:1 using the bellows or telescoping tube.
The 50 or 90 macros will get you to 1:2 without extension tubes and > 1:1 with
tubes. The
telescoping tube with the 80 f4 goes from 1:2 to 2:1 (with aux lens). The 38
and tele tube
goes from 2:1 to 6:1 and the 20mm from 6:1 to 12:1. The 135 and telescoping tube
duplicates the range of your 50mm. Having the 50 and 38 leaves a gap in the
possible
magnifications. I find myself doing a lot of photos around 1:1.
Think of the possible photos you see but can't get to now. What are the
magnification ratios?
Buy the equipment to fit what you want to photograph. I've found it takes more
than lenses
to take macro shoots: a good tripod and focusing stage are essential. Niceties
include flash,
meter, varimagnifinder and focusing screens. A tripod for nature macro shoots
must be stable
and capable of support near ground level (turning the center column upside down
is a pain in
the neck). Velbon makes a good focusing stage which is available, costs less
than the Olympus
and has left to right motions as well as forward and back. It isn't as tight as
the Olympus and
does not have the range of motion as the Oly stage and rail.
>Or has purchasing these items meant complete financial freedom, endless
>party invitations and objects of sexual desire wantonly throwing themselves
>into the purchasers path? <g>
Financial freedom? Nope this stuff is pricey. Endless party invitations? Nope
but lots of time outdoors with a
camera, far more fun for me. Objects of sexual desire? Can't help with that,
but a telescoping
automatic extension tube might.
Enjoy.
Bill B.
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|