Close Focus Macro with EPL2

[jetlife2]

Last week I was in Roatan and got some great results. Using the Zen dome always (did not bring flat port), 14-42 II and Oly 9-18, 2x Z240's, Manual camera, TTL strobes, RAW. Very very happy, I will post some pics (eventually).

But once or twice I attempted to get up really close to nudis or worms and was unable to do so. This is mostly due to the fact I had the dome on. So it got me thinking about diopters, close up adapters, flat ports and macro lenses.

What are the range of options for high quality macro? I see there is a reasonably priced 35mm macro lens that I had not noticed before. Would this be a better quality option than adding diopters to the 14-42? Or does it also need its own diopters to be added. I am not very knowledgeable about macro, I have always concentrated on wide, so a quick summary of the pros and cons of different setups would be a big help.

Thanks in advance

 

[cardog]

I bought the Dyron +7 and I can get a couple of inches away from my subect.

 

[TheTrickster]

Cardog, can you let me know the product code for the Dyron - thanks!

Also - any samples (9-18mm, dome + Dyron) ??

Thanks!

 

[cardog]

Just go to Bluewater Photo, Video & Underwater Cameras
I only have the 14-42 lens.

 

[Wisnu]

I have EPL-1, 10bar housing with semi dome port which used for kit lens 14-42, zuiko 35mm macro and for panny 7-14mm,
For macro, apart from reduce magnification due to semidome port I prefer the combination 14-42mm + 67mm adapter + Inon UCL165M67 macro, although 35mm is slightly better quality but very slow autofocus, need manual and very close to subject.
For wide, 7-14mm is good quality lens, unfortuntely the semidome port is too small, soft edges and unsharp corner at 7-8mm

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

I shoot the Panasonic 45mm macro in the standard port. It works fine and the lens sharpness and ability to render fine detail is just amazing. It would probably be better in the Zen flat port which I am saving up for, but it does work and deliver excellent results in the standard port.

I see the advangage of the Zen port as being much shorter and so allowing better working distance and easier flash postioning. Also, the standard port with macro adapter is so far from the front of the lens that adding diopters does not make much of a difference, where with the Zen they wouild be right at the lens front element and so have more effect.

 

[cardog]

Here are a few pics that I shot last night using the kit lens and the Dyron +7 macro adapter. Even at F11 the focusing distance is minimal and tough to get used to.

 

[deeper thoughts]

I shoot the Panasonic 45mm macro in the standard port. It works fine and the lens sharpness and ability to render fine detail is just amazing. It would probably be better in the Zen flat port which I am saving up for, but it does work and deliver excellent results in the standard port.

I see the advangage of the Zen port as being much shorter and so allowing better working distance and easier flash postioning. Also, the standard port with macro adapter is so far from the front of the lens that adding diopters does not make much of a difference, where with the Zen they wouild be right at the lens front element and so have more effect.

I also use the pany 45 mm and have the zen flat port. It is a fantastic combo

 

[deeper thoughts]

Couple of shots with the 45mm/zen flat port

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

I have used the E-PL1 and E-PL2 with the 14-42 zoom and it does a good job close-up but the Panasonic 45 macro is much sharper and works very well with the ReefNet +5 & +10 close-up lenses. I am working on a review of the Nauticam NA-EPL2 housing and shot these with the Pany 45mm and Nauticam macro port for that lens.

Images 1,2 and 4 with the ReefNet +10 diopter.

Phil Rudin