Couple of Issues with 12-50 lens in macro and normal mode

[tursiops]

I spent the big money for the Macro-zoom Nauticam port for the 12-50, and am really glad I did. Works very well, and it is so sweet to go from decent wide-angle to serious macro in a few seconds.

 

[RTee]

The three items I have on my get list are: Port and zoom gear for 12-50mm, 9-18mm lense and a second YS-D1. I am heading to Coz in two weeks and upon my return, I should have a better idea as to the order I should be purchasing them.

 

[Ardy]

Hi Guys thanks for the input. I threw the towel in on the 12-50 and bought a 60mm macro lens. So much for the one lens to do everything! By the time I added the diopters and a decent holder it came to similar money to buying a 60mm macro lens. Bought the 60mm for $450 and I'm selling my 50mm macro to offset some of the cost.

It sounds like it will work for the EM1, but neither that nor the nauticam housing and gear would solve my problem at an economical (non suicidal) price. Also picked up an Olympus s/h 67mm diopter holder on ebay and may have a mess around with that and the 12-50, but I think the 60mm will be my main lens.

Very disappointing result.:depressed:

 

[NautilusCairns]

Hi Guys thanks for the input. I threw the towel in on the 12-50 and bought a 60mm macro lens. So much for the one lens to do everything! By the time I added the diopters and a decent holder it came to similar money to buying a 60mm macro lens. Bought the 60mm for $450 and I'm selling my 50mm macro to offset some of the cost.

It sounds like it will work for the EM1, but neither that nor the nauticam housing and gear would solve my problem at an economical (non suicidal) price. Also picked up an Olympus s/h 67mm diopter holder on ebay and may have a mess around with that and the 12-50, but I think the 60mm will be my main lens.





Very disappointing result.:depressed:

I really like the 60mm macro. Takes nice little things but you can back off and also get good fish portraits.

Here is one of each I took a week or so ago in PNG.

 

[Ardy]

YEs I guess it will be the best option. I did so want to dive with one lens that would do my 1:1 macro which is my main love, then fish shots and finally the occasional 24mm shot.
I used the 50mm Olympus macro almost exclusively and I am looking forward to what the 60 will do. I would almost kill for a good lens that did 1:1, WACU and fish portrait work. I thought the 12-50 was well on the way but not so.

great shots BTW and did you enjoy PNG? I used to go there a lot in the 90's, my partner and I went about 5 years ago, great diving but dodgy country (although we were well away from any towns.

I really like the 60mm macro. Takes nice little things but you can back off and also get good fish portraits.

Here is one of each I took a week or so ago in PNG.
View attachment 196081View attachment 196079

 

[jlyle]

Before I bought a 12-50, I used a 14-42mm with a subsee 10x diopter. If you are looking for macro, CFWA and mid range, this combination is one way to go.

COZUMEL WITH A NEW CAMERA – AUGUST 2012

Jim

 

[Ardy]

Before I bought a 12-50, I used a 14-42mm with a subsee 10x diopter. If you are looking for macro, CFWA and mid range, this combination is one way to go.

Jim

Hi Jim - thanks for that. How do you use your 12-50 lens?

 

[NautilusCairns]

YEs I guess it will be the best option. I did so want to dive with one lens that would do my 1:1 macro which is my main love, then fish shots and finally the occasional 24mm shot.
I used the 50mm Olympus macro almost exclusively and I am looking forward to what the 60 will do. I would almost kill for a good lens that did 1:1, WACU and fish portrait work. I thought the 12-50 was well on the way but not so.

great shots BTW and did you enjoy PNG? I used to go there a lot in the 90's, my partner and I went about 5 years ago, great diving but dodgy country (although we were well away from any towns.

Living in Cairns makes PNG an attractive option. The latest trip was to Lissenung Island, Kavieng, which was great. Last year I went to Tufi Resort and have also been to Kimbe Bay and Madang.

I have a Nauticam housing so I can use the 12-50 in the 60mm port together with a +5 diopter on a swing out adapter if I'm unsure of what I might see or if doing successive dives, one macro and one wide, and I'm on a small boat and don't want to start changing lenses. The 12-50 is OK but not stellar. I also use it for wide angle shots like Minke whales as can't get close enough with the 8mm fisheye. Intend to get a 7-14 zoom wide angle to fill that gap next year.

Here are two shots taken with the 12-50mm on the Kavieng trip. Both shots were zoomed to 50mm and I put the +5 diopter on for the nudibranch.

 

[jlyle]

Hi Jim - thanks for that. How do you use your 12-50 lens?

I now have a 12-50 port and flip adapter for a 10X subsee. Although expensive, the 12-50 port gives me access to the macro switch on the lens. The flip adapter allows me to drop the subsee for even greater magnification. This is my I-don't-know-what-I'm-going-to-see rig. Reasonable WA, great midrange and macro.

Examples here: COZUMEL, AUGUST 2014 - YEAR OF THE PIPEHORSE

In Cozumel, the typical dive day involves a deep dive followed by a shallow dive. WA is better for the first dive while the second dive offers more intermediate and macro opportunities. I hate changing lenses on the boat between dives, so the EM-5 and 12-50 is my best option, despite the expense of the lens port.

 

[Ardy]

Hi Jim - Very interesting if you ignore the money. Am I imagining it or do the 1:1 shots with the 12-50 look a tiny bit soft? ie Painted elysia - Yet your >1:1 with the diopter (presumably) seemed very sharp to me. Is this just finger issues which we all have?

I now have a 12-50 port and flip adapter for a 10X subsee. Although expensive, the 12-50 port gives me access to the macro switch on the lens. The flip adapter allows me to drop the subsee for even greater magnification. This is my I-don't-know-what-I'm-going-to-see rig. Reasonable WA, great midrange and macro.

Examples here: COZUMEL, AUGUST 2014 - YEAR OF THE PIPEHORSE

In Cozumel, the typical dive day involves a deep dive followed by a shallow dive. WA is better for the first dive while the second dive offers more intermediate and macro opportunities. I hate changing lenses on the boat between dives, so the EM-5 and 12-50 is my best option, despite the expense of the lens port.