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In an unusual move, I pre-ordered the new OM System 90/3.5 IS PRO Macro lens - which is a 90 mm lens equivalent to 180 mm focal length, which supports auto focus down to 2:1 - which is equivalent to 4:1 in fullframe (because Micro Four Thirds have a smaller image sensor in comparison).
Surprisingly, the light drops only to aperture ƒ5 if you go down to 2:1 - which surprised me. I thought the aperture would fall much more then that. (But I am not fully sure, if ƒ5.0 was for 1:1 macro or 2x magnification).
Its really not a cheap lens price wise compared to Olympus 30mm f 3.5 and Olympus ED 60mm f 2.8 Macro - so I'll thought I use my tax money and then quickly pay off the rest, so that the total price isn't spiraling out so much. But the overall pay-off plan is set to two years with 70 € monthly.
Unique lens
Since the lens supports AF all the way down to 2x macro (the first lens in the world), and I've gotten the STF-8 dual macro flash recently which changes my flexibility a lot when it comes to the macro world. AND that the combination of built-in image stabilization in the lens + in the sensor based IS in camera itself (called Sync IS) working together hand in hand - resulting into a whopping 7 stops stabilization.
Apparently the image stabilization is working very effectively even at close focus range from reports of other photographers. (I remember for example that Daniels' Canon EF 100/2.8 L IS Macro lens wasn't really that effective in its stabilization at closer macro range - only for motives in the distance).
Since I also have the Olympus 1.4x telephoto converter, which works with this new Macro lens, I get down to something like 3x Macro. The built-in stacking mechanism, allowing to take images handheld with stacking enabled. That's pretty amazing, if you ask me ! (I had no idea that this Olympus / OM System tech even works handheld)
Stacking means, you make the area of sharpness become much deeper - which is invaluable in the world of macro, where the normal depth of sharpness can be abysmal, as little as 1 mm or less. Image stacking makes the zone of sharpness become larger in depths, covering an insect (or halfway) showing very fine details in delightfully sharp.
Lots of potential
So, there is dramatic potential in this combination of 1) Olympus automatic image stacking in all of my three Olympus camera bodies (EM Mark II, EM1X, OM-1) as well 2) the highly effective IS-sync of the Olympus system + lens 3) the AF is working all the way down to 2x macro, and 4) the ability to use (in my case) an additional 1.4x tele converter, resulting into even larger macro magnification and finally 5) my recent addition of the Olympus STF-8 macro flash... is in total opening a really a new world for me - which I will be able to explore.
I am traditionally not a macro guy at all - and I will have to make a lot of new experiences and learn via trial and error. But i think this will become most fun !
So much for the theory, of course.
I know that I tend to be "The Sorcerer's apprentice": Out with a bang - super enthusiastic - then then, down like a pancake, and then you hear not so much more.
I am aware of that.
Weather proof
I forgot to mention, that the Olympus EM II, EM1X and the OM-1 are weather proof, the STF-8 Macro flash is weather proof (!), as well the new OM System ED 90/3.5 IS PRO Macro lens. SO, the whole setup is entirely weather proof - which is, let's face it, is a very nice addition.
I've always loved how the Olympus cameras have been made so sturdy against mother nature's weather elements. I once used my EM1 Mark II camera during winter weather, while i had lost one of my white airpods in the 6 cm snow *rolling my eyes* - trying to find them... You can image, i was like a wild animal scooping, digging and swearing badly... trying to find it. Man, was I mad...
I found the sucker after 30 minutes search *LOL* while my camera looked like it just had gone though an Arctic expedition.
It worked - flawlessly afterward !
Inspiration
I saw a guy at dPreview.com testing the new OM System 90mm lens as a demonstration what you can do. Albeit he used additionally the 2.0x converter. Showing the wings of a butterfly. It is just soooooo fantastic, how nature makes structures. It is simply mind boggling.
The Spider
Here he took a short of his spider pet, those tiny spiders which you I am sure have seen before. Jumper spiders ? They are if i recall correctly not very large, just a half centimeter. He used here the Olympus ED 60/2.8 Macro lens together with a Raynox close up lens, a whopping 150 images which he then stacked.
He wrote:
"I did a shot of 150+ images of my Phidippus putnami named Naomi, when I sprayed her enclosure and she hopped over the the side I had sprayed"
SO, people who over their years have specialized into real macro photography - well, they are true artists and do absolutely mind boggling images, of tiny critters, with hyper sharp details. I have no idea where this road will lead me to - and I am sure that I will not produce such delightful, fascinating pictures. I believe, this takes some time, and a lot of practice to get there.
But hey, it is inspiring, isn't it ? I also do not know yet, where my heart beats within the macro world. In theory. I mean I am not really that into insects... But who knows ? I may change my mind ?
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