60mm f/2.8 macro

[sirhc55]

Since age determined that I go smaller in camera size I have missed the use of a good macro.

Olympus have a 60mm f/2.8 lens that has received rave reports and within the next few days I will be obtaining this micro 4/3rds gem and look forward to posting the first pic from it.

Stayed tuned

[zafra52]

Looking forward to it.

[aim54x]

I have had a play. It is sharp and the focus work us well but the build left me wanting

[ozimax]

Ditto. Post some world class pics here Chris. I would be interested to see how this particular lens performs.

[sirhc55]

I have had a play. It is sharp and the focus work us well but the build left me wanting

A coffee? A young lady? A lift home?

[aim54x]

I have had a play. It is sharp and the focus work us well but the build left me wanting

A coffee? A young lady? A lift home?

All of the above, but seriously the plastic felt cheap with a nice seam down the mid barrel, didn't inspire confidence.

[sirhc55]

Well the lens has arrived.

On first inspection the build is excellent even though the body is plastic. The focussing is very smooth and snappy (auto) and unlike my Sigma macro this lens does not extend throughout its focussing range.

I am working on a very complex project at the moment that I intend to document through photographs and this lens will do the job admirably. The project is a 144th scale Fletcher class destroyer with photo etch parts that are very small.

Hopefully in the next few days I can take a few pics to illustrate the beauty of this lens. BTW, I bought this lens in Sydney for $509 which was about $100 cheaper than the more usual HK imports.

I really believe that the lens you looked at Cameron must have been a window display clone

[aim54x]

I really believe that the lens you looked at Cameron must have been a window display clone

I assure you it was not!

[chrisk]

I really believe that the lens you looked at Cameron must have been a window display clone

Or he's been fondling fuji lens' !

[aim54x]

I really believe that the lens you looked at Cameron must have been a window display clone

Or he's been fondling fuji lens' !

Comparing it with the 12mm f/2.0 and the 75mm f/1.8 the 60mm f/2.8 macro really is a toy....functionally it is great, but the copy that I played with did not inspire confidence through its build. On the topic of the Fuji X-series lenses, I have similar issues, they often lack that finer finish...

[sirhc55]

I think you have hit the nail on the head Cameron with the word functionality.

There is absolutely no doubt that the 12mm f/2 and, especially, the 75mm f/1.8 are superb lenses. But one cannot really compare these lenses to the 60mm based on functionality.

The nearest (or only) equivalent to the Olympus 60mm macro is the Panasonic Leica DG 45mm f/2.8 which has its stabilisation engine in the lens as opposed to the Olympus which is in body. It is also a lot dearer to buy.

I also agree that a lot of micro four third lenses feel like toys (compared to those big hefty real man Nikon and Canon lenses ) but, in the real world when you require a certain type of usage and performance you take the best available and IMHO this lens is just superb as witnessed by the many excellent reviews.

Anyhoo, as I was partaking of a rum and blackcurrant late last night I snapped off this - my drink

[Matt. K]

Chris
The results speak for themselves. That's as good as any macro in relation to quality that I've seen. Hope to see more images from this lens.