Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro lens

      Photo Review 9
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      In summary

       The M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro lens is a great addition to the Olympus M4/3 line-up for a number of reasons:
      1. It provides a different perspective to the 60mm f/2.8 macro lens.

      2. Its optical performance is very good.

      3. Its AF system is fast and accurate, particularly for close up shooting.

      4. It’s small and light enough to be usable while travelling and takes up very little space in a camera bag.

      5. It’s affordably priced.

      The form factor of this lens makes it a good match for both OM-D and PEN camera bodies and its high magnification can be used whenever you need to shoot REALLY close. While the 60mm f/2.8 macro lens is a better choice for insect photography, the 30mm f/3.5 Macro’s focal length is better for general-purpose picture-taking.

      Compatibility with underwater housings further extends the capabilities of this lens, although it roughly halves the maximum magnification. But effective autofocusing will make this lens usable for underwater macro shots with minimal hassles and the MSC AF system ensures near-silent focusing both still shots and video recordings.  

       

      Full review

      The M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro lens joins the M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens we reviewed in October 2012 to provide close-up photographers with even greater magnification reaching 2.5x, the highest level for a macro lens with a standard focusing range. Unlike the 60mm macro lens, it has no weatherproof sealing, which accounts for its affordable price tag.  

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      The M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro lens. (Source: Olympus.)

      The optical design of this lens is relatively simple, comprising seven elements in six groups. Exotic elements include one aspherical and one dual super aspherical lens plus one ED (extra-low dispersion) element. The diagram below shows the location of the various components.
       

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       The optical diagram for the M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro lens showing the positions of the exotic elements. (Source: Olympus.)

       The MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) autofocusing mechanism drives focusing by moving internal elements and the lighter design of the focusing lens group enables the new lens to focus up to 30% faster than a regular lens. The new lens is also compatible with Focus Bracketing, which slightly shifts the focus location in multiple shots and can be used for macro shooting with the E-M1 Mark II, E-M1 (firmware V4.0 and later), E-M5 Mark II (firmware V2.0 and later), E-M10 Mark II, and PEN-F cameras.

      Autofocusing  is also quiet enough to use while recording movies. This lens is also compatible with the Olympus 5-axis Image Stabilisation system, which minimises camera shake when shooting with the camera hand-held.  It is also compatible with the separately available underwater shooting system, although magnification is reduced to a maximum of 0.7x underwater.

      The filter thread doesn’t rotate, allowing angle-critical attachments to be used without re-adjustment. A seven-bladed iris diaphragm closes to a circular aperture for attractive bokeh.

      The lens is supplied with front and end caps, an Instruction Manual and Warranty Card. No lens hood is listed among the optional accessories, which are the PRF-D46 PRO Protection Filter and LSC-0811 Lens Case.

      Who’s it For?
       This lens will only interest photographers with Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) system cameras and, probably, only owners of Olympus cameras as Panasonic has its own 30mm macro lens, which is two thirds of an f-stop faster and includes optical stabilisation. The table below compares the Olympus and Panasonic lenses.

       

      Olympus 30mm f/3.5 lens

      Panasonic 30mm f/2.8 lens

      Lens construction

      7 elements in 6 groups (1 aspherical, 1 ED and 1 dual super aspheric lens)

      9 elements in 9 groups (1 aspherical lens)

      Maximum aperture

      f/3.5

      f/2.8

      Minimum aperture

      f/22

      Diaphragm blades

      7 (circular aperture)

      Stabiliser

      5-axis sensor-shift, in camera

      MEGA O.I.S., in lens

      Closest focus

      9.5 cm

      10.5 cm

      Max. magnification

      1.25x (2.5x 35mm equivalent)

      1.0x (2.0x 35mm equivalent)

      Filter size

      46 mm

      Dimensions (Diameter x L)

      57 x 60 mm

      58.5 x 63.5 mm

      Weight

      128 grams

      180 grams

      Supplied accessories

      Front and rear caps, printed manual, warranty card

      Front and rear caps, storage bag

      RRP

      AU$399

      AU$499

      The 30mm macro lens covers a much wider field of view than the 60mm macro lens, covering a 40 degree angle of view that is a tad wider than a standard 50mm lens on a 35mm camera. This enables it to be used as a general-purpose prime lens for shooting subjects as diverse as people, places and food as well as close-up photography.

      Designed to be compact and lightweight, the Olympus 30mm macro lens take up little space in a camera bag and slips readily into a pocket. Its minimum shooting field of 13.9 x 10.4mm allows users to capture subjects   with an effective magnification of 2.5x in 35mm format.

      The minimum focusing distance of 95 mm from the image plane to the subject equates to a minimum working distance of 14 mm between the subject and the front of the lens. This is likely to present difficulties when photographing easily-spooked subjects, such as insects. It is best suited to subject that are stationary.

      Build and Ergonomics
       For a mostly plastic lens the M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro lens is nicely put together, with a solid metal mounting plate, as befits a lens from the Premium range in the M.Zuiko line-up. It’s nice and compact as well, measuring 60 mm in length with a maximum diameter of   57 mm and an overall weight of 128 grams.

      The front diameter is only 46 mm and the front element of the lens occupies a 12 mm wide circle in the centre. Small front elements are normal in macro lenses.

      The only control surface is the focusing ring, which is 28 mm wide and mostly covered with fine ribbing to provide a secure grip. This ring turns through 360 degrees, regardless of whether the camera is switched on or off and in both manual and S-AF+MF mode.

      Autofocusing is driven by a micromotor using the Olympus MSC (movie and still compatible) system. Manual focusing is ‘by wire’; in other words, not mechanically linked, which means little or no tactile feedback. Internal focusing ensures the physical   length of the lens remains constant and the front of the lens doesn’t rotate.

      Unlike the Olympus 60mm macro lens, the 30mm macro lens has no magnification indicator so you can’t see the degree of magnification you’ve achieved. Nor does it have a distance limiter like the one provided on the 60mm lens.

      The barrel steps inwards a little just behind the focusing ring and continues for about 5 mm before flaring back out to form the lens mount, which is the widest part of the lens. The supplied lens cap is a pinch-type unit that clips firmly onto the filter threading inside the front of the lens. This threading accepts 46 mm filters.

      Performance
       Although we took some of our test shots with the new OM-D E-MI Mark II camera, we carried out our Imatest tests with the lens on our E-MI  because the Mark II was a pre-production unit. The fast autofocusing system in the E-MI Mark II, combined with the AF system in the lens proved to be a real boon when using this lens to shoot close-ups with the camera hand-held.

      Autofocusing was also very accurate ““ and consistently so ““ regardless of whether we used the touch controls on the monitor screen or frames shots with the viewfinder. Although there were a few missed shots due to missed focus or through choosing too wide an aperture setting, most of our shots were on the mark and we were even able to grab the occasional shot of an insect on a leaf at high magnification before it took flight.

      Our Imatest tests showed the lens able to exceed expectations for the 16-megapixel resolution sensor in the E-MI with measurements taken near the centre of the frame. The highest resolution was obtained at f/5.6, which is 1.3 f-stops down from maximum aperture.

      Some edge softening was measured at all aperture settings and it was very evident in close-up shots where depth-of-field was very shallow at wider apertures. Stopping down to f/8 increased the depth-of-field, as shown in the graph of our Imatest result below, but some residual edge and corner softening remained, although you’d be unlikely to notice it in macro shots.
       

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       Lateral chromatic aberration remained well within the ‘negligible’ band for all aperture settings, as shown in the graph of our test results below. The red line marks the boundary between ‘negligible’ and ‘low’ CA.

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      Vignetting was negligible at the widest aperture settings.   There was no apparent distortion in the test shots we took. The lens also handled backlit subjects very well and we found no loss of contrast or colour saturation in shots with  relatively strong backlighting  .
       Bokeh quality was generally very pleasing and similar to what we obtained with the 60mm macro lens. Transitions between tones were smooth and we found few instances of outlining in background highlights. Highlights retained a pleasing circular shape, rather than turning into ellipses.

      Conclusion
       The M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro lens is a great addition to the Olympus M4/3 line-up for a number of reasons:
       1. It provides a different perspective to the 60mm f/2.8 macro lens.

      2. Its optical performance is very good.

      3. Its AF system is fast and accurate, particularly for close up shooting.

      4. It’s small and light enough to be usable while travelling and takes up very little space in a camera bag.

      5. It’s affordably priced.

      The form factor of this lens makes it a good match for both OM-D and PEN camera bodies and its high magnification can be used whenever you need to shoot REALLY close. While the 60mm f/2.8 macro lens is a better choice for insect photography, the 30mm f/3.5 Macro’s focal length is better for general-purpose picture-taking.

      Compatibility with underwater housings further extends the capabilities of this lens, although it roughly halves the maximum magnification. But effective autofocusing will make this lens usable for underwater macro shots with minimal hassles and the MSC AF system ensures near-silent focusing both still shots and video recordings.  

       

      SPECS

       Picture angle: 40 degrees
       Minimum aperture: f/22
       Lens construction: 7 elements in 6 groups (including   1 aspherical, 1 ED and 1 dual super aspheric lens elements)
       Lens mounts: Micro Four Thirds
       Diaphragm Blades: 7 (circular aperture)
       Focus drive: MSC (movie and still compatible) micromotor drive
       Stabilisation: No
       Minimum focus: 9.5 cm
       Maximum magnification: 1.25x (2.5x in 35mm equivalent)
       Filter size:   46 mm
       Dimensions (Diameter x L): 57 x 60 mm
       Weight:  128 grams
       Standard Accessories: LC-46 Lens Cap, LR-2 Rear Lens Cap, Instruction Manual and Warranty Card

       Distributor: Olympus Imaging Australia; 1300 659 678, www.olympus.com.au

       

       

      TESTS

      Based on JPEG files taken with the OM-D E-M1 camera:

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      SAMPLES

      Most shots were taken with the lens on the pre-production OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera body, which is reviewed as a First Look.
       

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       Vignetting at f/3.5.
       

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       Rectilinear distortion.
       

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      A 10-cent coin photographed at the closest focusing position; ISO 1600, 1/60 second at f/3.5.
       

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      A postage stamp, taken with the subject filling the frame; ISO 640, 1/60 second at f/3.5.
       

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      The same subject photographed from the closest focusing position; ISO 1000, 1/60 second at f/3.5.
       

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      Strong backlighting; ISO 200, 1/200 second at f/6.3.
       

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      ISO 200, 1/250 second at f/5.
       

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      ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/5.
       

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      ISO 320, 1/60 second at f/3.5.
       

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      ISO 2500, 1/60 second at f/9.
       

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      This shot shows the shallow depth-of-field in close-up shots, even with the lens stopped down; ISO 200, 1/320 second at f/6.3.
       

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      A seed head on a lettuce plant, photographed from the closest focusing position; ISO 200, 1/200 second at f/6.3.
       

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      The flower head of a garlic chive plant; ISO 250, 1/60 second at f/10.
       

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      ISO 500, 1/60 second at f/6.3.
       

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      ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/6.3.
       

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      Close-up of a grevillea flower head; ISO 500, 1/80 second at f/10.
       

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      ISO 200, 1/250 second at f/10.
       

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      ISO 1600, 1/60 second at f/13.
       

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      When used as a general-purpose lens, depth-of-field must be taken into account; ISO 500, 1/60 second at f/3.5.

       

      Rating

      RRP: AU$399; $US299

      • Build: 8.9
      • Handling: 9.0
      • Image quality: 9.0
      • Versatility: 8.8

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