There are a total of four Zuiko MACRO lenses in two separate focal length at 20mm and 38mm. Each focal length has a older, slower lens and a revised version with faster lens speed. Both older version at both focal length have a maximum aperture of f/3.5; while the upgrade of 20mm was given a speed boost to a high speed f/2.0 and the 38mm was given a stop faster at f/2.8.
As every lens works best at a specific subject distance and performance balance changes at different distances and usually that goes along with different kind of optical aberrations and thus, it is not too exaggerating to quote there is no single lens that can cover entire range of distances and magnifications while at the same time, provide flexibility in handling and maintaining high optical performance in macrophotography.
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Most macro (Some called theirs as "Micro") lenses provide a moderate range to about 1X with an dedicated extension. However, the outside limit of photomacrography is about 20X, beyond of which you will need a microscope. Macrophoto Lenses such as 20mm and 38mm are designed for magnifications of beyond 2X. |
Note: Some of these old or newer macro lenses featured in this site require an extension between camera in the form of either a bellow or extension tubes and they cannot be used in singularly as with normal lenses because they do not have a helicoid for focusing and have to make use of the bellow or focusing mechanism of the Auto Tubes to focus and tyhat is why some called these purely as "lens head" instead of lenses. More info are available below, read them all...
The Zuiko has no less than 5 other lenses that are specially designed for working with close-ups photography. But there are limitations to where these lenses can achieve with their respective reproduction ratios. Most will just provide a half life size reproduction and there is only the Zuiko Macro 80mm f/4.0.
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However, lens is unlike the Zuiko 50mm f/3.5 or the f/2.0version where you can use them as a normal standard lens, the 80mm f/4.0 Macro lens is designed for reproduction in the life size range and used together with telescopic auto tube or auto Bellows and even close up filters. |
Head Lamp of a reconditioned 1970's Morris Minor(48k JPEG). Copyright © -free Images Collection, 2000. leofoo ®
In such combinations, for an instance, the Zuiko Macro 80mm f/4 when used with the Auto Telescopic Tube with an close up lens attached, it can provide a high magnification ratio of 2X (2:1) ! But in order to help you visualize various combinations in terms of respective magnifications to use lenses/Extension Tubes/ Bellow , referred to the chart below
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Magnification |
Field of View |
Important: Generally, as focal length decreases so does minimum focusing distance. However, these Macrophoto lenses should not be confused with conventional short focal length lenses. For example, they show none of the perspective characteristics of wide-angle lenses and they cannot be used for conventional photography singularly and most if the time, it is used in combination with a bellow unit and focusing stage. |
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0.lx |
240 x 360mm |
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0.5x |
48 x 72mm |
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lx |
24 x 36mm |
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2x |
12 x 18mm |
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4x |
6 x 9mm |
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5x |
4.8 x 7.2mm |
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10x |
2.4 x 3.6mm |
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15x |
1.6 x 2.4mm |
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20x |
1.2 x 1.8mm |
Olympus Macro lenses below focal length of 50mm are intended to use with either Bellow or extensions such as the specially designed Telescopic Auto Tube. Both the new lenses features fully automatic aperture, the 38mm has a magnification range from 1.7X to 6.7X life size while the 20mm is even more impressive at almost macroscopic range of 4.2X to 16X life size !
Both of these lenses' bright maximum aperture provides a comfortable viewing which is essential for macrophotography and the revised optical design enjoys a fine reputation for outstanding optical performance. The 20mm Macro lens, in particular is using a special high refractive index, low dispersion optical glass to counter aberrations and its extra bright f/2.0 provides a bright viewfinder which permits ease of focus and picture composition.
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N O T E: As no photographer in the world would possess ALL the lenses within a single trade name. You are always encouraged to replace these reserved slot for sample images above shooting with a lens type detailed above - just mail in your creative visual, a little caption relative to the background information will help a lot to let other understand how you prepared the shot. Please mention IF you require a complimentary link and where should it be pointed at. Naturally, I DO NOT like to disappoint anyone, but in order to maintain my self-set standard in the PIM website - I would prefer to have high quality input rather than in quantity, if your image is NOT selected for broadcasting in this site, give it a try the next time but I do promise every image will be view and consider carefully. I do appreciate your consideration in this matter.
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Zuiko Macro 38mm F/2.8 |
Its contrast and resolution are reputedly high, and aberrations are well contained - even at its wide open apertures. For use with the Auto Bellows or Telescopic Auto Tube. A helicoid allows fine focus adjustment. Accepts all OLYMPUS lens mounted macro flash units.
Type:
Zuiko 1:1 Macro 38mm f/2.8; Angle of view: 9° at highest magnification; Optical Construction:
6 elements in 4 groups; f-stop range: f2.8-f22; closest focusing distance: With AUTO
tube or bellow unit; weight: 170g (6.0oz); length: 46mm; filter size: 49mm; recommended
focusing screens: 1:1*, 1:2*, 1:3*, 1:4N, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13*, 1:14*
* Not designed to
operate correctly in Programmed AE mode with OM2SP or OM40
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Zuiko Macro 38mm F/3.5 |
Type:
Zuiko 1:1 Macro 38mm f/3.5; Angle of view: 9° at highest magnification; Optical Construction:
5 elements in 4 groups; f-stop range: f3.5-f16; closest focusing distance: With AUTO
tube, PM-MTob or bellow unit; weight: 90g (3.2oz); length: 28mm; filter: 32mm slide-on;
recommended focusing screens: 1:1*, 1:2*, 1:3*, 1:4, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13*, 1:14*
* Not designed to
operate correctly in Programmed AE mode with OM2SP or OM40; for OM1 and OM2 series
bodies, meter needle indicates proper exposure but microprism, split prism and edges
of the finder get dark.
Zuiko Macro
20mm F/2.0
The fast lens speed of f/2.0 provides a brilliantly clear and sharp viewfinder image.
The lens is specially designed for reproduction from 4.2 to 16x life-size.
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The super bright F2 aperture makes focusing and composition beautifully simple. The use of high refractive index, low dispersion glass succeeds in eliminating aberrations almost completely. |
As with the 38mm lens, the front is tapered to avoid casting shadows on the subject and leave a clear light path for flash, etc. Accepts all lens mounted macro flash units. This lens type, developed especially to minimize coma, an optical aberration common to lenses working in extremely close range, produces sharp images of high resolution.
Type:
Zuiko 1:1 Macro 20mm f/2.0; Angle of view: 9° at highest magnification; Optical Construction:
6 elements in 4 groups; f-stop range: f2.8-f22; closest focusing distance: With AUTO
tube or bellow unit; weight: 170g (6.0oz); length: 46mm; filter size: 49mm; recommended
focusing screens: 1:1*, 1:2*, 1:3*, 1:4N, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13*, 1:14*
* Not designed to
operate correctly in Programmed AE mode with OM2SP or OM40
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Zuiko Macro 20mm F/3.5 |
Together with the Zuiko Macro 38mm f3.5, both of these lenses were the earliest design of the OM Macro bellow lens, the lens enjoys a fine reputation as a high quality optic which always provide excellent optical results. I think it has been discontinued and replaced with the faster speed 20mm f/2.0.
Type:
Zuiko 1:1 Macro 20mm f/3.5; Angle of view: 9° at highest magnification; Optical Construction:
4 elements in 3 groups; f-stop range: f3.5-f16; closest focusing distance: With AUTO
tube, PM-MTob or bellow unit; weight: 70g (2.5oz); length: 20mm; filter: 21mm slide-on;
recommended focusing screens: 1:1*, 1:2*, 1:3*, 1:4*,
1:10*, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13*, 1:14*
* Not designed to
operate correctly in Programmed AE mode with OM2SP or OM40; for OM1 and OM2 series
bodies, meter needle indicates proper exposure but microprism, split prism and edges
of the finder get dark.
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The older version of these macro lenses pictured below has been discontinued for quite a while. The relatively slow f/3.5 maximum aperture may cause some discomfort in focusing. |
But both lenses have long enjoying a respectable status as the reference lenses for extreme close-up photography and deserve similar attention - perhaps it may be even a more logical choice as they usually comes with a cheaper entry cost as used units for casual shooters who wishes to has a hand on experience with macrophotography.
The macro lenses form only a partial segment of the huge OM macro photo group of system accessories which stretches from specialist lighting units to filters, copy stands, adapters, stages, reflectors and many more. With other fine quality of features pioneered by Olympus such as their exclusive TTL OTF metering for both ambient and flash photography - in particular the series of dedicated macro flash units such as the many macro and Ring flash models, macrophotography with OM system is indeed hard to challenge and compared in versatility and so assuring with users confidence.
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| More info
on OM Macrophotography
| Try | More info on OM Macro Flash Units
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Index Page of OM Zuiko Lenses