Olympus Macro Lense Comparison

Has anyone ever had a chance to compare the 35mm vs. 50mm Olympus E-System macro lenses for underwater macrophotography.

I have the 35mm and wish that it was faster than f/3.5 which requires strong focus lights to get decent autofocus. I am attracted to the 50mm f/2.0 lens but it does not magnify as much. Than, I might have to add an extension tube which I am not experienced with.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Rick Colman

Hi Rick,

I have both lenses and have used both in the Olympus housings for the E-300 & E-330. The 35 mm is a very sharp lens,but because it is wider than the 50 mm at 1:1 (2:1 in 35 mm terms) it focuses very close to the front of the macro port I.E. less than an inch. The 50 mm which focuses to 1:2 (1:1 in35mm terms) gives enough extra room to add distance from the subject. I also use the 50mm with the 1.4 teleconverter to add even greater distance. The 50 is great for macro and super macro, the 35 mm is great for large fish down to teacup size. If I had to have one or the other it would be the 50mm hands down.

Phil Rudin

TNX so much for your comments. A couple more thoughts ...

I have the 35mm and notice the problem with close distances for large magnifications, so it is very difficult to light evenly with strobes. However, I don't really use the 35mm for fish photography. I use the 14-54mm for fish at the higher range and it seems to work great.

My target is pygmy sea horses, and other "super-macro" subjects this spring. I THINK need large magnifications to get good shots, which is why I went for teh 35mm to start with, thinking I would get more magnification.

Other strategies:

(a) use the 35mm behind a dome port ?

(B) use a teleconverter on the 35mm? (too dark at f/3.5?)

© buy the 50mm and hope I have enough magnification for super-macro

YOur comments much appreciated.

So, I have answered my own question by purchasing the 50MM lens (bye bye bank account).

Do you know what the fully-extended length of both lenses? Can I use the same flat port for both (using an ikelite housing for e-300).

Rick.

I don't use the Iklite port so I am not sure of the port lenght. What I can tell you is that a port which allows the 50 mm macro will also allow the 35 mm with the 1.4 teleconverter. Also that without the teleconverter the 35 mm extended to 1:1, (2:1 in 35 mm terms) would have its point of focus inside the port. Remember that the 50 mm at 1:2 is like a 35 mm film camera at 1:1. If a diopter is added (inside or out) you can go beyond 1:1 and with the 1.4 teleconverter the 50 mm also goes to 1.4:1 in 35 mm terms.

Phil