macro lens or not?

[realspeed]

I have a Panasonic G9ii camera which can produce an aspect ratio of 1/1 within the menu
A macro lens also should have the same ratio 1/1
So what difference will there be using the 12-60mm elmarit on this camera compared to a dedicated macro lens of the same make. I ask this becauseI am thinking of getting a panasonic macro lens . so any help /advice welcomed

 

[Petrochemist]

I have a Panasonic G9ii camera which can produce an aspect ratio of 1/1 within the menu
A macro lens also should have the same ratio 1/1
So what difference will there be using the 12-60mm elmarit on this camera compared to a dedicated macro lens of the same make. I ask this becauseI am thinking of getting a panasonic macro lens . so any help /advice welcomed

The aspect ratio you refer to is not the same ratio as reproduction ratio.
Aspect ratio is the ratio between the vertical & horizontal sides of the image 1:1 is a square image.
Reproduction ratio (as used in macro) is the ratio between the subject and the image on the sensor. 1:1 is life size so a 5mm long subject creates an image 5mm long on the sensor.

Macro shots are not usually square (though they can be), and square shots are not usually even close-ups but again they can be.

FWIW your 12-60 has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.3x so less than a third life size.

 

[realspeed]

Thank you so much Mike

Obviously I am completely in the dark so your reply is helpful. The Oly 60mm macro has good reports but loose out on dual stablisation

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[Adamcski]

When I was using the lumix system I had the basic 30mm macro and had some great fun with it. I believe there is the 42.5 mm that could be good also. Also look at the raynox lenses that some people use (NISI do similar also).

 

[realspeed]

Thanks Adam something. Else to consider

 

[Nod]

Thank you so much Mike

Obviously I am completely in the dark so your reply is helpful. The Oly 60mm macro has good reports but loose out on dual stablisation

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The DoF at "true" macro magnification is very shallow so you're more likely to miss focus on the critical point than to suffer from lack of one stage of IS. Using a tripod will solve both problems (as far as camera movement goes, anyway!)

 

[realspeed]

Thank you Nod for your reply

 

[alfbranch]

Thank you so much Mike

Obviously I am completely in the dark so your reply is helpful. The Oly 60mm macro has good reports but loose out on dual stablisation

​

​

Stabilisation is of limited use for true macro photography

 

[alfbranch]

A real comparison for M4/3 macro

This is what 1:1 achieves (taken with a Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro lens)

Sigma-105-mag-test by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Add a 25mm tube and a Raynox 250 and you can get this but need to be really close and a flash is probably essential except for static indoor use

Sigma 105 EX-25 and Ranox 250 by Alf Branch, on Flickr

To use an adapted lens a Olympus 40-150mm

Zuiko-40-150-tubes-and-raynox by Alf Branch, on Flickr

40-150-mag-test-tubes-+R by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Hover-fly by Alf Branch, on Flickr

No longer have this
Thisis a set up I have been trying out it gives up to 3X magnification about 6mm across the frame.
This is my Olympus OMD E-M5 MKII with 60mm f2.8 macro lens 3 Kooka extensions tubes 48mm in total and a Raynox DCR250 and a Nissin Di466 with homemade diffuser..

Macro rigg E M5II by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[alfbranch]

Flash or not

With flash and a diffuser

Fly with flash by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Without flash

Fly with sunlight by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[alfbranch]

Have a look at this thread too

Other Macro - Show us your macro rig

Here is my macro set ups. Left: Panasonic FZ8, Raynox MSN 202 + Gary Fong Puffer Diffuser. Centre: Canon 350d, Sigma 105 ex + Kenko extension tubes, Speedlite 580 mkII and lumiQuest Mini Softbox on a home made bracket and offshoe cord 2. Right: Canon 40d, Mp-e 65 1-5x lens, MT-24 ex...

www.talkphotography.co.uk

 

[alfbranch]

More up to date kit

My E-M1ii and 90mm f3.5 both without and tubes or extenders

Springtail and penny by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Dicyrtomina saundersi by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[alfbranch]

Looking at the minimum focus distance of the 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 this sort of thing should be possible these are with the M.Zuiko 8-25mm f4.0.

feeding fly by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Bee on chives by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[Petrochemist]

When I was using the lumix system I had the basic 30mm macro and had some great fun with it. I believe there is the 42.5 mm that could be good also. Also look at the raynox lenses that some people use (NISI do similar also).

Although I have macro lenses, the Raynox are often the option I go for. These are clip on diopters (unlike many close-up supplementaries Raynox models are 3 element achromats)
I generally prefer the weaker DCR 150 on a telephoto for more working distance, but the DCR 250 is more common and that should give lifesize on a standard lens.
Unlike the various forms of extension (the other common cheap macro approach) these lenses can be added & removed quickly .

IIRC this infrared macro was shot using the DCR150
Bee in infra red by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr