What is the best macro lens...

[Packhorse]

What is the best macro lens that will fit a EPL3 and oly housing without changing the port to an after market one? Happy to use a adaptor if required.

Or should I just buy a macro converter lens for the 14-42mm lens?

 

[Jak Crow]

I just got the F.I.T UCL-04, which is a 5X achromatic wet lens. So far, the results have been really good. It can also be doubled up with their 8X and 16X macros as well.

 

[terson]

What is the best macro lens that will fit a EPL3 and oly housing without changing the port to an after market one? Happy to use a adaptor if required.

Or should I just buy a macro converter lens for the 14-42mm lens?

'Best' is a very subjective word/request.
IMHO 'best' would/could only be a macro prime lens as in the 45mm macro Panasonic, but I'm assuming that you are inquiring about wet diopters?
As for the wet diopters, a recent report by Jussi might come in very handy for your information.
DEEPSHOTS BIG UNDERWATER CLOSE-UP LENS TEST | Deepshots
In all honesty, I would forget all about the OEM macro adaptor performance wise and I doubt very much that it would fit inside the standard port anyway.
Bruce

 

[derway]

Every one over at wetpixel swears by the reefnet subsee diopters too. That test by deepshot proves the point.

 

[BluewaterPhoto]

The reefnet subsee +5 and +10 are great high-quality diopters with 67mm threads, and the subsee +5 will be your sharpest option. The dyron +7 is smaller and they are stackable. We've gotten great results with the E-PL3 and all 3 diopters - Scott

Please note that the strenths on the FIT diopters are in-air strengths, so when comparing the strengths underwater with Subsee & Dyron dive the FIT numbers by 2.67

 

[ProfF]

'Best' is a very subjective word/request.
IMHO 'best' would/could only be a macro prime lens as in the 45mm macro Panasonic

Any experience with the 45mm Panasonic macro with the EPL-3? Does it fit in the standard 14-42 port? Will the rumored (?) macro from Oly fit?

 

[Jak Crow]

Any experience with the 45mm Panasonic macro with the EPL-3? Does it fit in the standard 14-42 port? Will the rumored (?) macro from Oly fit?

There is a different lens port sold for the

PT-EP05L to use with the 45mm, so it appears the standard port doesn't fit.​

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

Log in to, UWPMAG.com and open the current issue (free PDF download) to read my review of the Panasonic 45mm macro for M43. Also covered the 14-42 and the Sony 30mm macro. Both lenses reach 1:1
(life-size) but in a much different way.

It has been my observation during many of the workshops I teach that these close-up lenses are being used way before the prime lens is extended to its full macro length, i.e. 1:1 1:2 whatever. I use the Inon and ReefNet close-up lenses for super macro but I always get my lens to 1:1 before I move the close-up lens into place. This buts more distance between the lens and subject at any given magnification.

Phil Rudin

 

[orenbvip]

Phil, what do you mean? I am using the E-pl1 with the 14-42mm lens and oly housing with an Inon diapoter. I have been dialing the lens to 42mm and just slapping the 67mm Inon wetmont (with the adapter). If i want to upgrade what would work best? I rather not buy a port...

I took this yesterday:

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

What I mean is this, inside the slide mount is the 1:1 (lifesize) image captured on 35mm size film or sensor. At 1:1 on the 4/3 or M4/3 sensor you get an image (the two eyes) this size. If I add a +10 diopter close-up lens I can get to the size of the single eyeball filling the frame which is 2:1 in this case.

Adding a +10 diopter will reduce the distance from the subject to the lens by about 50%, not good with many subjects. Other issues like image quality, lighting issues as you get closer and more are also created with the close-up lens.

So if my lens allows me to get to 1:1 or 1:2 whatever then why would I want to use the close-up lens attachment before I get to the max magnification the lens alone will without it.

I have both the Inon and ReefNet +10 C/U lenses and I use them alot but not when the lens alone can produce the same image.

For M43 I think the new Olympus 12-50 which has a switch that allows the lens to limit its focusing range from about 7.5 to 20 inches will be great for macro/close-up, it will have greater magnification than the 14-42 and should have much better image quality. It of course can also use the add-on C/U lenses.

The 60mm macro for M4/3 coming at the end of the year also sounds excellent but will require a new port.

Phil Rudin