Should I buy? - Olympus Macro

silversx80

Ladies and gents,

I have an Olympus E-410 and I have a chance to get a macro lens for a pretty good price. It's a 35mm Zuiko Digital 1:1 macro (a 2:1 with the crop factor). I can get it for about $100 plus shipping (it's a $250 lens IIRC).

My list of lenses:
14-42mm Zuiko Digital
40-150mm Zuiko Digital
50mm (f/1.4) Zuiko (OM mount, legacy)
70-150mm Zuiko (OM mount, legacy)
200mm Tamron (OM mount)
24mm Makina (OM mount)

I'm torn because I don't have an external flash, yet. I also have no macro capabilities. This lens would cost less that I can find the Olympus extension tube (so I have control over my digital lenses) but I have a trip out to UT in about 6 weeks for the USAF Reserves. For the trip, I was planning on getting a trailer to tow my motorcycle out.

The lens is in Charlotte, I'm in Raleigh. On Saturday I'm driving out that way, so I could pick it up.

I guess I'm looking for suggestions... any suggestion.

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for advice.

ziggy53

That short a focal length makes it a little difficult to use creative lighting. It would probably work best with a ring light which might limit subject matter. Otherwise, I'm sure it's a fine lens.

For that price you could probably easily resell the lens if it didn't work out so I don't think there is much risk, assuming the lens is in good condition to start with.

silversx80

Thanks for the response, Ziggy. I didn't think about being able to resell it if things don't work out. That's all I needed to push me over the edge. Looks like I'll have a macro tomorrow if the seller wants to meet me on my way out to SC.

jrmyrnsm

Yeah I agree with Ziggy, for the price I'd say go for it and if you dont feel like it works for you sell it for what you got it for or a little more. Good luck and I hope the seller's still got it when you go tomorrow!

silversx80

Thanks again for the input. The deal ended up falling through because the guy sold the whole package (several lenses and body) to a local person.

I decided to just order the lens anyway. I paid $165 from Cameta for the Oly refurb/demo which comes with a 1 yr. warranty. The lenses are fetching $150-$200 used on ebay, so I don't think I'm out anything if I don't like it.

It should get here by Sat or Mon, pics to come

swintonphoto

I have the Olympus 35mm macro and love it! It is as sharp a lens as I have ever used. It is Olympus's only 1:1 macro. In regards to Ziggy's comment regarding 35mm length - with the 2x crop factor it is really 70mm and I find it a good length for most applications. One problem I have had using longer focal length lenses for macro is that camera shake quickly becomes problematic.

You will love the lens. It is sharp as a tack, very lightweight, and works well for me as a portrait lens as well (70mm equivalent is right around the sweet spot for portrait lenses in my opinion). Here are a couple shots I have taken with it:

silversx80

Thanks Jonathan, that takes care of any buyer's remorse . Very nice pics. I'm sure I'll now be glued to the Track & Confirm on the USPS site anxiously awaiting it's delivery. I can't wait. It looks like so much fun.

Out of curiosity, is that second pic a thimble?

swintonphoto

silversx80 wrote:

Thanks Jonathan, that takes care of any buyer's remorse . Very nice pics. I'm sure I'll now be glued to the Track & Confirm on the USPS site anxiously awaiting it's delivery. I can't wait. It looks like so much fun.

Out of curiosity, is that second pic a thimble?

I am sure you will have fun with it.
The second pic is actually of a little pencil holder on my desk. But now that I think about it it looks like a thimble.

swintonphoto

Here is a review that will help you feel good about the purchase:
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/44/cat/14

To quote the review: "Overall, absolutely superb performance."