Camera Labs

Since the Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Telephoto Macro Lens is a little out of my price range I am stuck between the choices of the Olympus EX-25mm Macro Extension Tube versus the Olympus 35mm f/3.5 1:1 Macro Lens.

I appreciate any thoughts and feedback.

_________________
"The quickest way to make money at photography is to sell your camera."

Olympus E-520
Zuiko 14-54mm II
Zuiko 70-300mm
Zuiko 50mm
B+W Filters
LowePro Classified 160
Lexar Professional Series Compact Flash
Olympus M+ 2 GB Flash Card
Optech Soft Case Pouches and Lens Sleeves
Optech Ez Comfort Neck Strap
California Sunbounce Sun-Sniper Camera Strap

35mm in any case. Really good lens, and has higher magnification then 50mm.
Only downside when compared to 50mm is it's not as bright. I use 50mm in churches and anywhere where I don't use flash.

_________________
E-5; E-1; E-620; GH-1
12-60; 50-200; 70-300; 40-150; 25; 35; 50;
14-140;
FL-36rx2 ; FL50r; FL50
www.facebook.com/maksimimages
www.maksimimages.com

how can you use a macro lens for normal photography?

_________________
"The quickest way to make money at photography is to sell your camera."

Olympus E-520
Zuiko 14-54mm II
Zuiko 70-300mm
Zuiko 50mm
B+W Filters
LowePro Classified 160
Lexar Professional Series Compact Flash
Olympus M+ 2 GB Flash Card
Optech Soft Case Pouches and Lens Sleeves
Optech Ez Comfort Neck Strap
California Sunbounce Sun-Sniper Camera Strap

Any lens can focus to infinity, macro lenses are just specially made that they can focus extra close. A lens is focused to infinity when the rear element is closest to the sensor and every lens [except for some rare specialty lenses] should be able to do that.

_________________
E-3!
12-60 2.8-4.0
12-60 2.8-40 [Also going]
40-150 3.5-4.5
70-300 4.0-5.6
Fl-48

You might also want to take a look at the Sigma 105mm Macro. It's between the 35mm and the 50mm in terms of cost and people only say good things about it.

Anyway, i own the 35mm macro lens and really love it. Haven't used it in a while (it will make it's comeback in spring). Maybe you should take a look at the cameralabs lens gallery.

_________________
Olympus E-30, ZD 9-18mm 4.0-5.6, ZD 50mm Makro 2.0, ZD 14-54mm 2.8-3.5, ZD 70-300 4.0-5.6

Light travel equipment:
Olympus EP-2, µZD 14-42mm , Panasonic 20mm 1.7 pancake.

Cullmann Trento IT Daypack

I've been using the Sigma 105mm F2.8 for the past year, it's very sharp! I don't have the Zuiko 50mm macro so I can't say it's sharper than the 50mm or anything, but it is very very sharp, especially when you use manual focus (I use only manual focus on this lens, much easier/accurate). I take a lot of floral pictures, with this lens even the tiniest stigma/anther can look very sharp in the image.

Also at 105mm it gives you much greater working distance from the subject, than the Zuiko 50mm. This lens doubles as a great (really!) portrait lens too, with great creamy bokeh.

_________________
Olympus E-3
Zuiko 12-60mm, 50-200mm, 8mm Fish, 50mm F1.4 Manual
Sigma 105mm
Cokin system

Herman's Photography
http://hermantse.smugmug.com

I too wondered about a macro lens, as last summer I found a new interest in butterflies and other insects.

I mostly used my 50-200 on 200 and stood back, but thought that a macro would probably be better. However, my concern was that although I would be able to get closer, this would probably cause the insect to flee. Does this usage suggest the Sigma would be the best option?

Also,...you do not need a dedicated macro to get macro results.

There are close-up filters,...and longer lenses that are close-focusing enough to give you similar results.

I can not take the 70-300 off my Oly,...it goes both ways very well.

_________________
Nikon D90,SB-600,50mm f/1.8,55-200mm,18-105mm,300mm f/4 AF-IF ED
Flickr page

Yes, the 70-300mm is good for macro shots, but you need lots of light to get a sharp picture.

By the way, you can get very close to insects without them running away. You have to move slow and try not to breath towards the insect.

_________________
Olympus E-30, ZD 9-18mm 4.0-5.6, ZD 50mm Makro 2.0, ZD 14-54mm 2.8-3.5, ZD 70-300 4.0-5.6

Light travel equipment:
Olympus EP-2, µZD 14-42mm , Panasonic 20mm 1.7 pancake.

Cullmann Trento IT Daypack

I did not find the 70-300mm sharp enough to be a good macro, even when stopped down. Ultimately I sold mine after a year of ownership, disappointed with its sharpness and its slow and unpredictable autofocus. I feel the 150mm is much more of a pleasure to use.

_________________
E-3!
12-60 2.8-4.0
12-60 2.8-40 [Also going]
40-150 3.5-4.5
70-300 4.0-5.6
Fl-48