GH4 close up adaptor for the Olympus 12-40

C

canada John

Member
I've been enjoying doing close-up shots/macro with my Olympus 12-40 lens while using the GH4's electronic tele-converter. The tele-converter has been a great way to increase the degree of close-up.

I can only do that, of course, while in 2K/1080 mode.

I'm wondering what options I have when shooting 4K that will help compensate for the loss of the electronic tele-converter. I could get extender tubes but since I'm out in the bush a lot I'm not anxious to take the lens off and expose the camera's chip to dust etc. I'd be happier using a close-up lens.

I thought I had the answer. I have a Cannon 72 mm 500D close-up lens. I got an adapter ring to attach it to the Olympus' 62 mm diameter and thought I had a solution. I don't understand optics very well, so don't know why there is virtually no difference when I add this close-up lens, but there isn't. (On my Cannon video cameras this close-up lens did its job.)

Any advice? I see lots of close-up lenses for sale but after my experience with the Cannon 500D I'm reluctant to buy a set without first getting some recommendations.

Thanks.

John
 
What type of budget are you working with?

On the higher end you could purchase a macro lens, or if budget is tight a set of low cost diopters.
 
Olympus 60mm macro is what I have been using on my GH4. Auto-focus and lens firmware all work great with the GH4. This lens is razor sharp and comes very highly recommended. Here is a video I shot where all the inset closeups are with the 60mm
https://vimeo.com/129816624

Right now the lens is discounted at $399. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892512-REG/Olympus_v312010bu000_MSC_ED_M_60mm_f_2_8.html

Here is a review of the 60mm http://robinwong.blogspot.com/2012/09/olympus-mzuiko-60mm-f28-macro-review.html




 
Last edited:
Thank you for your reply.

First, let me tell you how much I enjoyed your video, both in and of itself and for what it showed me about the Olympus 60 mm macro. I suspect the 60 mm macro might be the route I should take.

As with other 4/3 lenses, I'm assuming that the Olympus 60 mm can be seen as a 120 mm 35 mm equivalent, for those of us who like to think in those terms.

But I am left a little confused by something Robin Wong says in one of the links you attached. There, describing the Olympus 60 mm macro's main features, he says:

1) True, dedicated macro lens, capable of 1 to 1 full magnification factor (which translates to equivalent of 2 to 1 magnification considering the 2x equivalent field of view on Olympus Micro 4/3 sensor)

What is he saying? In what way is the focal length of the Olympus 60 mm magnified 2 X? Is he saying it becomes an effective/actual 120 mm 4/3 lens (and therefore a 240 mm 35 mm equivalent)?

I have been using a Nikon 80-200 with a Metabones adaptor for some macro shots. As a 35 mm lens on my GH4 it effectively becomes a 160-400 mm lens. That's made it a great macro lens. But, of course, that lens has a minimum focal distance of about five feet. Whereas the Olympus 60 mm can focus down to 18 cm.

Guess, after Wong's comments above, the issue comes down to being sure I understand what the actual, or effective, focal length of the Olympus lens really is. Maybe you could help me here.

If it is only equivalent to a 120 mm 35 mm lens, as I suspect it is, my Nikon 80-200 might still be of good use for subjects I can't get terribly close to, like dragon flies for example. It would also be of use for subjects like, let's say again a dragon fly or a butterfly that tend to flit from plant to plant. The Nikon with it's 400 mm 4/3 equivalent would have a better ability to follow them and produce close-up shots.

Of course, for subjects one can come physically close to the Olympus with its ability to focus down to 18 cm would be great.

The only drawback to the 60mm that I can think of v.s. screw-on close-up lenses is the need to open up the camera to dust, etc. Even in a sheltered room I always worry a bit about exposing the sensor. Out in windy and dusty conditions I worry about it more. My answer has been large clear plastic bags to put the camera and lenses in when I change them.So maybe I shouldn't worry.
 
Thanks for your reply. As you'll see in my reply to Mark above or below, I can see now that the Olympus 60 mm macro might be a good solution. Is there any other lens you might suggest? And just out of curiosity, are there any half-decent screw-on close-uplenses/diopters you know of? I'm not too worried about budget, but as I explain in my reply to Mark, the advantage to screw-on diopters is that I don't have to expose the sensor while changing lenses.

John
 
The focal length remains as listed. 60mm focal length to the sensor does not change. We've become used to comparing digital formats (smaller than full frame 35mm film format) to their 35mm equivalent. Therefore APS-C sensors crop to a 1.5x or 1.6x magnification factor. The m4/3 format crops to a 2x factor.

Therefore your 60mm macro behaves as if a 120mm lens was used on full frame 35mm. You get about the same magnification, 2x.

It can get confusing, when 35mm film cameras were what most of us used (before zoom lenses became commonplace), we became real familiar with lens focal lengths and what they did. Then along came digital (most with smaller sensors) and we had to become accustomed to "crop factors".

And that's what Robin Wong was trying to describe, a 2x crop factor.

BTW when using 4K modes on the GH4 that 2x becomes a 2.3x approximate crop factor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top