Fast and macro have a very tenuous relationship. Although a macro lens
may be fast, once you get very close for anything other than a flat
subject, you will find that you have to stop down quite a bit to get any
useful depth of field.
The Zuiko 50/3.5 is an excellent macro lens available for reasonable
prices. As I mentioned, it's speed isn't a drawback in actual macro
work, but limits it's usefulness as a general purpose plus macro lens.
Also, out of focus parts of the image can have an unpleasant edgy
quality (bad bokeh) in general use.
I prefer longer focal lengths for nature work because of their longer
working distances, i.e., the distance from the front of the lens to the
subject is longer. That makes it easier to get shots without the shadow
of the lens in them and less likely to scare bugs. Zuiko has some
wonderful macro lenses in that category, but they are rather expensive.
If you browse the archives, you will find all sorts of ideas for using
other Zuikos with extension tubes or macro telexenders and
recommendations for 3rd party macro lenses.
Moose
Steve and Kathy wrote:
Thanks for the welcome. I'm absolutely in dire need of macro stuff. I love
macro. Believe it or not, I've been satisfied with the screw-on close ups.
That needs to change. I'm a fiend for natural lighting, so I want fast
lenses,too. *sigh* expensive addiction.
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