M4/3 macro lens recommendations please

[woof woof]

Just out of interest I tried my close up filters with my 45-150mm and the results are quite good. I was worried that at the longer focal lengths the working distance would be too narrow (not much forward and back wiggle room at all) but I was forgetting that when I found this to be a problem on my Sony A7 it was with 85 and 135mm primes. With the 45-150mm zoom the working distance at 150mm was quite short but of course you can zoom out a bit to give yourself more flexibility. I also tried stacking three filters and that went ok too. So, on a longer zoom, well, up to 150mm anyway, these close up filters are a viable option.

 

[sphexx]

Just out of interest I tried my close up filters with my 45-150mm and the results are quite good. I was worried that at the longer focal lengths the working distance would be too narrow (not much forward and back wiggle room at all) but I was forgetting that when I found this to be a problem on my Sony A7 it was with 85 and 135mm primes. With the 45-150mm zoom the working distance at 150mm was quite short but of course you can zoom out a bit to give yourself more flexibility. I also tried stacking three filters and that went ok too. So, on a longer zoom, well, up to 150mm anyway, these close up filters are a viable option.

Yes. I used to use them on a 135mm in film days for things like fungi, sometimes with flash. More for “record” shots than anything ‘artistic’ but it worked very well in giving a longer working distance than other methods.

 

[Micro-four-thirds]

Just to confuse you even further, try a thin extension tube behind your Panasonic 14-140mm. I'll give you very good close-ups and a very-very decent working distance at the longer end.

Thanks, now I am spoilt for choice lol. I’m beginning to think investing in a decent macro lens might be easier and potentially cheaper in the long run compared with trying different lens caps and extension tubes.

 

[woof woof]

Thanks, now I am spoilt for choice lol. I’m beginning to think investing in a decent macro lens might be easier and potentially cheaper in the long run compared with trying different lens caps and extension tubes.

Get a film era manual prime. I have a Sigma 50mm f2.8 which is 1:1 and gives a 100mm equiv FoV on MFT. I think it cost £60 but I've just seen one for sale at £50 and close up / macro is highly likely to be manual focus anyway. If 100mm fov isn't enough there are macro lenses in the 80-100mm sort of range, I've just seen a 90mm f2.5 for £65. Add a £10-£20 adapter and it could last you decades across multiple camera brands and formats.