Olympus 60mm Macro lens question

When using the Olympus 60mm Macro, or any other macro lens for that matter, do you set the lens to 1:1 and then "rock back to front" for focus or do you autofocus when you find your subject?  I'm planning to use my 60m macro on my next dive so any tips ya have would be appreciated.

Well I don't but  many do.

I compose the picture the way I want it framed and then use AF through the shutter release button. With a 60mm macro lens on an APS-C camera (Nikon D500) getting a focus lock is seldom an issue. 

To me composition is the issue, not how close you can get.

Remember 60mm Macro on MFT is equiv to 120mm Macro on FF. At that point getting a focus lock can be an issue. I think technique should depend on the composition and subject you're aiming for. If you are looking at photographing in the super macro range than the described technique can be a good way to make sure that you get the correct focus. Personally, I used the 60mm in normal AF mode, but I also have to say that I prefer the Panasonic-Leica 45mm for it's wider FoV and seemingly snappier auto focus.

Just use AF, not everything you want to shoot will fit in a 1:1 frame and the lens won't stay at 1:1 through power off cycles,   Set it to full range not the limited range as you may want to shoot something bigger and you can't access the little dial on the lens UW.   It will hunt around a bit at times depending on camera model but in general getting it to focus closer is not a problem (when trying to shoot something further out it can lock onto floaties in the water instead)  A focus light can help.

As usual, great advice from the guys. Use it like any other lens, composition is what matters unless you are doing science.  

If your camera allows, use the smallest single focus point possible. At this magnification, it's easy for the autofocus to miss your intended target with anything else.

Hi I understand we are both using the same Olympus EPL10 with the 60mm Macro. That lens is currently my favorite and use mine for both macro and fish portraits. My main tips are:

- Back button focus, this allows you a lot of control with focus. I focus on the eye and then recompose, then shutter release.

- Smallest single focus point, allows you to focus on the exact point you want quickly.

- Use the focus peaking feature, it helps show which parts of the animal are in focus.

- Use a focus light, the camera uses a contrast AF. Providing light allows the camera to pick up those features and focus quickly. I use the focus light on my strobe for this.

- minimize lighting particles in the water, they cause the lens to focus on the particles and hunt for the subject a lot. Just light up only the subject. If it locks onto a particle and starts hunting, waiting for it to find the subject takes forever, i usually pull back focus on my fin or hand then go back in. This isn’t a major problem.

- typically i don’t limit the focus, that allows me to compose things from fish to nudis on a dive. Having the focus light makes it focus so quickly anyways so no need to limit.

- I typically shoot at f11 to maximize depth of field for macro while minimizing diffraction. F5.6 if sharpness is what i am after or larger animals. Shutter speed is from 1/160-1/250 to adjust the background color. ISO usually on low, but sometimes bump up to 200 or so if i am shooting at f11 and want a blue or green background.

- with a CMC1 wet lens, hard as hell to work with haha.

Cheers,

Pomacentridae

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