I started using an Olympus E-PL1 about 2 years ago and switched up to an Olympus E-P3 about 6 months ago. As an avid hiker, I really appreciate the small form factor (which means less weight to haul up and down mountains), as well as the versatility of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens that is my usual “walk around” lens.
But as an enthusiastic, amateur photographer who shots mostly in full “auto” mode, my biggest lament has been in terms of macro shots. Even when using the three different macro settings available in “Scene” mode I find it’s pretty much “hit and miss” when I’m trying to focus a macro shot.
Today, Christmas came early. Mr. GeoK and the GeoKids gave Santa a major helping hand when they placed the new 60mm f2.8 “Nature Macro Lens” on my desk. I barely took the time to put on my coat and gloves before heading outside for an initial test drive! The lens is quite light and much more reliably achieves auto focus, even from as close as 19 cm (approx. 8 inches).
After loading my first batch of jpgs into Lightroom, I quickly realized that I’m going to have to advance beyond fully auto shooting. After a quick read about “Program” mode, switching to S-AF with M for focusing and turning on the MF Assist, I headed back out for a second test drive.
Here are my best results…
1/400 sec at f5.0
ISO 200
no flash
1/40 sec at f2.8
ISO 1600
no flash
1/200 sec at f3.5
ISO 200
no flash
1/8 sec at f2.8
ISO 200
no flash
I’m so excited! This new lens is going to prompt me to learn more about my E-P3 and to develop my photography skills. In fact, I think it’s time to bring back “Macro Monday”.
Pingback: Out and About with the GeoKs - Gear Review: Lensbaby Sol 22 / 45
Pingback: Photo Blogging Challenge – Macros (August 2018) | Out and About with the GeoKs
Pingback: Photo Blogging Challenge – Different Gear (June 2017) | Out and About with the GeoKs
Pingback: Photo Blogging Challenge – Closeup (October 2015) | Out and About with the GeoKs
Pingback: Preservation and Patina | Out and About with the GeoKs
Crab apple and ice crystals would make a lovely holiday card! Thanks for the info on your cameras and weights. I will probably graduate to a real camera within a year, but the weight factor of most serious cameras puts me off. I like my trusty old digital camera that I can whip out of a jacket and start snapping photographs while on the back of a motocycle.
Great idea re: using the crab apple picture for holiday cards.
I doesn’t matter how “good” your camera is if you don’t carry it with you! I couldn’t stand the idea of hauling a great big DSLR up and down mountains, but the Olympus micro four-thirds camera bodies (and lenses) work for me – at least when it comes to striking a good balance between weight / size and image quality. Some of Panasonic’s cameras strike a similar balance (Lumix), so I recommend you check those too, when you start shopping for a “real” camera.