PHIL RUDIN
Contributor
When the camera is in U/W mode you have two choices W/A or macro, what this does is power zooms the lens between the 12mm end and the 50mm end of the lens, NOT into the macro setting which is a two step manual move. So the lens is set only at 12mm or at 50mm with NOTHING in between. This is the least expensive choice, next is a gear that will zoom between 12 and 50mm but not macro and the Nauticam choice which zooms the full range and can be set to macro.
Regarding older housings, some work and some do not.
Regarding the 45 macro, since is is a shorter lens than the 12-50 it will sit further back in the flat port. This means that some of the focusing distance is inside the housing putting your subject at very close focus much closer to the port glass. That is why if you look at the Zen port for the 45 macro is is shorter than the 12-50 port by at least 20mm. This may not seem like much but it can be. It you have the stock port without the four port lights the Olympus 60 macro will work well in the port because the lens is very close to the port glass. With Nauticam you can use the 45 port or the 45 port with 20mm extension for the 60macro.
Phil Rudin
Regarding older housings, some work and some do not.
Regarding the 45 macro, since is is a shorter lens than the 12-50 it will sit further back in the flat port. This means that some of the focusing distance is inside the housing putting your subject at very close focus much closer to the port glass. That is why if you look at the Zen port for the 45 macro is is shorter than the 12-50 port by at least 20mm. This may not seem like much but it can be. It you have the stock port without the four port lights the Olympus 60 macro will work well in the port because the lens is very close to the port glass. With Nauticam you can use the 45 port or the 45 port with 20mm extension for the 60macro.
Phil Rudin
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