Showcase Olympus 50mm f/2 Zuiko OM Auto-Macro

[MAubrey]

The definition of "magnification ratio" is the ratio between the size of the image projected on sensor/film, and the real size. It's an optical attribute of the lens. And should remain constant no matter what sensor is used. Think about it this way, will the max magnification ratio change if you move a magnifying glass around? Another example, take a specific macro lens, at max magnification, take a picture of a grain of rice, will the size of projected image size change because sensor size changes?

So, talking about equivalence of "max magnification ratio" is wrong in the first place. There is no equivalence, it always remain constant.

I know all of that. But it isn't the point. It's the opposite of the point.

 

[eno789]

I know all of that. But it isn't the point. It's the opposite of the point.

The point is, it is wrong, unscientific, and misleading to say a 1:2 macro lens magically becomes 1:1 macro simply because the sensor is smaller. You can say it fills the frame more, but you cannot say "1:1 macro".

 

[WT21]

No need to reinvent the wheel. Enjoy the discussion from 2012 on the same topic over on mu-43!

Macro lens - 1:2 = 1:1 on MFT?

 

[eno789]

No need to reinvent the wheel. Enjoy the discussion from 2012 on the same topic over on mu-43!

Macro lens - 1:2 = 1:1 on MFT?

I had post #36 there, LoL.

 

[WT21]

I had post #36 there, LoL.

Great to see you stick to your guns across the years!!!

(and post #36 is a pretty good explanation of the definition of 1:1. You can just say "post #36" next time I say "equivalence")

 

[Jefenator]

Ah, semantics...
I found my Olympus 50/3.5 and Nikkor 55/3.5 macros to be unsatisfactory for landscape shots. And of course that maximum aperture can seem a bit workmanlike. Usable f/2, 1:2 and good at distance - what more could one ask from a 50mm!

 

[eno789]

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Trail by Brian Zhou, on Flickr

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The Valley Below by Brian Zhou, on Flickr

 

[MAubrey]

The point is, it is wrong, unscientific, and misleading to say a 1:2 macro lens magically becomes 1:1 macro simply because the sensor is smaller. You can say it fills the frame more, but you cannot say "1:1 macro".

And when someone starts saying that, I'll be on your side. Relative magnification of a give print or image is a thing and it can be talked about with reference to the constant magnification of the lenses used for their respective formats.

But nobody is saying otherwise. I don't understand who you're arguing with.

 

[MAubrey]

Same photo at f/2 and then at f/4. These are both at the minimum focusing distance (1:2 magnification).

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[MAubrey]

Actually, this photo from Pic a day.... should be here,too:

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[MAubrey]

Okay. I've given this lens a bit more attention over the past month or so:

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Spring by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Blossoms by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Creeping Out by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Shadows by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Brick by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Bikes in Bellingham by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Bikes in Bellingham by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

 

[WT21]

Okay. I've given this lens a bit more attention over the past month or so:

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Spring by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Blossoms by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Creeping Out by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Shadows by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Brick by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Bikes in Bellingham by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Bikes in Bellingham by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

How much post processing do you find you need? When I shot this on m43, I found the contrast lacking (though the B&W was excellent). What are your thoughts on the Sony sensor?

 

[MAubrey]

Yeah, contrast is lower. I don't spend a lot of time on processing though. I have a LR preset that I use on import:

• Auto tone & -100 highlights, +100 shadows
• Strong Tone curve w/ +15 highlights, -15 shadows

Sometimes I tweet the curve highlights and shadows more than that, but it's never occurred to me until you mentioned it that it's the lens' that has low contrast since I do that for all my images on a picture by picture basis. But you're totally right when I look at the untouched RAW.

 

[MAubrey]

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Shadows by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Brick by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Bikes in Bellingham by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

How much post processing do you find you need? When I shot this on m43, I found the contrast lacking (though the B&W was excellent). What are your thoughts on the Sony sensor?

I also had the advantage of nearly golden hour light in the bridge wall images and the more golden bicycle photograph, well, that and these ones are stopped down to f/5.6, too.

 

[eno789]

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California Honeysuckle by Brian Zhou, on Flickr

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Trail by Brian Zhou, on Flickr

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Wind Poppy by Brian Zhou, on Flickr

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Globe Lily by Brian Zhou, on Flickr

 

[MAubrey]

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Globe Lily by Brian Zhou, on Flickr

The small number of aperture blades is my only real frustration with this lens. It isn't here, but I've found that if I'm not careful, the shape of the OoF highlights can be a little distracting.

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Wind Poppy by Brian Zhou, on Flickr

Also, I really love this poppy!

 

[MAubrey]

For some reason, I never get tired to photographing bicycles.

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Blue & Red by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Flowery Bicycle by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

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Yellow & Green by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

 

[MAubrey]

Using a macro lens as a macro - digitizing film:

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Untitled by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

 

[MAubrey]

ILCE-7RM2    Olympus OM Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/2    50mm    f/8.0    1/100s    ISO 640

Makeworth Market V by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

ILCE-7RM2    Olympus OM Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/2    50mm    f/8.0    1/50s    ISO 640

Makeworth Market IV by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

ILCE-7RM2    Olympus OM Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/2    50mm    f/8.0    1/13s    ISO 640

Makeworth Market II by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

ILCE-7RM2    Olympus OM Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/2    50mm    f/2.0    1/30s    ISO 640

Makeworth Market I by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

 

[WNG]

View attachment 103758
Makeworth Market V by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

View attachment 103759
Makeworth Market IV by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

View attachment 103760
Makeworth Market II by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

View attachment 103761
Makeworth Market I by Mike Aubrey, on Flickr

This fast Zuiko macro really delivers. All very nice shots!