GH4 Best MFT Macro Lens?

Other thought was, happy to use adapter and get a older used nikkor, canon, etc. Basically, just looking for the best macro options
 
My kit favorite aside from renting something really nice is an old Zeiss Contax Makro 60mm which is 1:1. I use it both with and without a SpeedBooster. I also keep assorted diopters on hand. I'm not too heavily invested in M4/3 lenses. As a matter of fact the only one I own is the 14-140mm which came with my original GH1. I'd rather own a lens package that will work with the majority of my cameras rather than be stuck with only M4/3 cameras.
 
The Olympus 60 2.8 macro is the best lens I own. It is razor sharp with nice contrast with just the right stand off distance. Here is some of my work with
it.

.
 
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Are there any disadvantages to going for a FF (Canon/Nikon) Macro lens VS a native M43? In terms of how an adaptor effects things, or focal length, etc.?

I also didn't seem to find any cheaper used options for macro lenses that I could adapt, the Oly seemed to be a pretty good bang for buck if i'm willing to invest native into M43 on it.

How is the Oly for video, I am not clear from what I've read on how well the manual focus (or lack thereof) works for filmmaking...?
 
Not sure which lenses you might already have, or the application for your upcoming macro work, but I'll throw out 3 other options aside from spending cash on another lens. Extension tubes / Diopters / Lens reversing adapter.
 
Maybe I was doing it wrong, but I never seemed to have much luck with the macro extension tubes I have.

I have:
Minolta 50mm 1.4 adapted
Nikon Nikkor 85mm adapted
Native Nokton 10.5mm & 25mm f/0.95
Native Olympus 12mm + 17.5mm f/2.0 and f/1.7 respectively
 
filmguy123 said:
Maybe I was doing it wrong, but I never seemed to have much luck with the macro extension tubes I have.

I have:
Minolta 50mm 1.4 adapted
Nikon Nikkor 85mm adapted
Native Nokton 10.5mm & 25mm f/0.95
Native Olympus 12mm + 17.5mm f/2.0 and f/1.7 respectively
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You probably weren't doing anything wrong, but extension tubes generally tend to work better and be more manageable with longer focal length lenses than what you listed. I've had fair luck with the 25mm PL f1.4 and the Oly 45mm f1.8. If I did a fair amount of macro work I'd spring for the Oly 60mm Mark mentioned.
 
My vote for the Olympus 60mm as well. I don't shoot as much macro as I thought I would but it is also a really good tele or interview lens. Maybe not super bright at f2.8 but if you use lights I do prefer the longer focal length to other 45mm range lens options. Plus the DOF at f2.8 60mm is about the same as 45mm f1.8. So I can get the same DOF look without being right on top of the interviewee. I love to get shots as far away as possible and the only other native bright lens that can do that is the Olympus 75mm f1.8. So for me the Olympus 60mm macro was a very versatile option to purchase. Great macro, good tele lens and great interview lens.

Sometimes it is nice to have the option for autofocus and full camera control of the lens when shooting macro stills. Just something to keep in mind.
 
Don't shoot a lot of macro but when I do the Panasonic Leica Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 OIS has served me well.

If I need greater working distance I'll switch to the LUMIX 35-100mm f/2.8 with a Canon 500D diopter attached.
 
Thomas Smet said:
My vote for the Olympus 60mm as well. I don't shoot as much macro as I thought I would but it is also a really good tele or interview lens. Maybe not super bright at f2.8 but if you use lights I do prefer the longer focal length to other 45mm range lens options. Plus the DOF at f2.8 60mm is about the same as 45mm f1.8. So I can get the same DOF look without being right on top of the interviewee. I love to get shots as far away as possible and the only other native bright lens that can do that is the Olympus 75mm f1.8. So for me the Olympus 60mm macro was a very versatile option to purchase. Great macro, good tele lens and great interview lens.

Sometimes it is nice to have the option for autofocus and full camera control of the lens when shooting macro stills. Just something to keep in mind.
Click to expand...

reviving an older thread-

thomas-

do you have any footage and/or stills of the Oly 60mm used as an interview lens?

thanks in advance.

be well.

rob
smalltalk.productions
 
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