Rockystick

Olympus has a special offer of one hundred dollars off their 30 mm macro lens through at least the month of May. So the lens costs just $199. I could actually do it pretty easily, but do I need it? Is there any macro situation where I would be better served with the 30mm macro over the 60 mm that I already have?

photodoc16

You are the only one who would know if you have to get 50% closer to your subjects.
Photodoc16

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I have the 100 macro and it gets me close enough, closer so some bees than I want to be. Have a friend who has the 60 macro and he says it get too close to the subject and blocks the sun sometimes. Do you really want the lens to be that close to what you are photographing? Wait and see if there is a time you just need to have your lens closer to the subject and then buy it.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

That is an interesting conundrum. I checked each lens, out of curiosity, and found that there are pros and cons. The 30mm goes to a sightly higher magnification, which is good, but it has a significantly closer working distance, and that poses a bit of a problem for live insects.
I assume you are wanting it for the magnification boost, and if you do flowers or something then it would be fine. For insects its fine too, but more will fly away on you.
Always other options. You could stick with the 60mm, and get a Raynox 150 attachment for the occasions when you need a bit more mag. That too will result in a closer working distance. I know no easy way around that problem.

Rockystick

Thank you Mark, your response was helpful.

Rockystick

Can anyone put forth a guess as to wether the image quality of the 60mm would be bested by the 30mm macro? I am at a loss to explain why Olympus has gone to the trouble of creating this lens when they already have the "fantasmic" 60 mm macro.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Extension tube(s) on the 60mm will also get you more magnification if that is your goal. And are probably the least expensive solution.
They are relatively small and easy to carry with you and put on when you need them.
Amazon list three piece sets from around $15 but I would recommend one of the better sets.
There is a $70 set that contains 10mm, 16mm & 21mm tubes.
Here is a link to a calculator that will show the magnifications available with the various combinations of the three tubes:
http://extreme-macro.co.uk/extension-tubes/#calculator
Rick

Rockystick

Thank you. Is that "IT", being closer, or is there some other advantage with this lens that Olympus seems to be mum about? Why the heck do they have this lens, when the 60mm is already out there??

JuxtaposePictures Loc: San Diego

I'm guesing the biggest reason they added the 30mm is that out is cheaper and would therefore appeal to a bigger audience.

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

It depends on the reason as to whether you are satisfied with the angle of view and dist. to subject for what you do with the 60.
OR are you just thinking, oh here it's on sale, and I might find a use for it?

Rockystick

I'm thinking you may be right, and for Olympus to further discount it's price by $100
may mean the demand for it is not all that great.

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

* * * *
It's that time of year, sell for Mom day, graduation day, or Dad day. It might be good quality, can't say
any of the Oly lenses aren't, but got my 40-150 at discount season one year...

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

A lot of us macro photographers, me included, don't think closer is better in terms of minimum working distance.
For example, the most popular macro lens focal lengths are the 90-105mm lenses.
They typically have a minimum working distance of around 0.3 meters (14 inches).
The Om 60mm has a minimum working distance of 7.4 inches.
I own a 105mm and a 180mm and shoot the 180mm a lot because it gets me good magnification of insects at anywhere from two to three feet depending on the size of the insect.
Greater working distance also allows you to avoid blocking light getting to the subject especially if you use a flash and diffuser like some of us do.
Sony also makes a 30mm macro for their E-mount cameras but I've never understood why. They recently came out with a very nice 90mm macro for E-mount.
There is a new 'thing' going around called 'wide angle macro' which strikes me as an oxymoron but some folks seem to be into it.
Your choice of a macro lens probably comes down to what you want to do with macro photography.
I shoot a lot of insects so being able to shoot from a distance is important since is lessens the chance of scaring the insect off while shooting.

Rockystick

Yes, you hit it on top, it's on sale... so I ask myself THAT question... do I have use for it over what I already have in the 60?

Rockystick

Great discussion thank you. I have a Nikon D-810 with the 105 mm micro lens. It works very well too. Still wonder if I need the 30mm macro from Olympus at such a desirable price