Here's why my 60mm macro is for sale . . .

[AndyS]

I got the 90 mm macro. Picked it up on the 9th as soon as OMS released it. It's going to be a challenge but a lot of fun! Here's some first shots.

Hibiscus bloom:


Size reference, my little finger. The last joint of my finger is almost exactly the same size as the 4/3 sensor.


So this is 1:1 magnification. 15 exposure stack at f11. Hand held!


The max enlargement without other accessories is 2:1 15 exposure stack hand held. I can't go any further without aid and this is a third try.


I added the TC1.4 to get 3:1. It took some serious bracing to get an acceptable focus stack on this one.


Finally I added the in-camera digital 2x to the above combo for 6:1. I gave up and used a tripod and focus rail. Still not happy with the results but hopefully with practice . . .


I wanted to use hand held because this is and in-the-field kind of lens. It just begs to be taken out on walks in the forest to see what can be found in that 'unseen world' of extreme closeup. Up to 1:1 it's fairly easy to get good results even using the in-camera focus stacking. Beyond that it gets pretty 'iffy' for this 75 year old guy. At 3:1 15 frames isn't enough to get enough depth of focus so I'll have to go to focus bracketing for 30+ frames which means tripod work.

Speaking of depth of focus, there isn't much. At 1:1 and f3.5 there is ~1mm in focus. f8 maybe 2mm and f22 will reach 3mm. That's why focus stacking is a necessity for me, YMMV.

Next step is adding flash with a diffuser.

[lapfog_1]

1. flower porn. - n/t

[sheshe2]

2. Beautiful!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Wonderful photos, dear Andy!

These really show what you and the lens can do together!

I look forward to seeing more.

[mike_c]

4. nice!

I use a Tokina 100mm macro in that focal length range, but I rarely focus bracket outside the studio. In the field the extra working distance is really useful.

[Crazyleftie]

5. very nice

how did you get the black background?

[AndyS]

8. It's a container plant so

because the wind is blowing outside I brought it in and used studio lights.

[alfredo]

6. My diffuser is a ping pong ball affixed to the built in flash

[TeamProg]

7. Black background makes he colors pop! nt

[Tarzanrock]

9. Thanks for the tip on focus bracketing

Thanks for the tip on focus bracketing. Heretofore, I never even thought about it as I've just always shot photo by photo with my macro lenses. You should probably keep that 60 mm -- you will likely rue the day in which you have sold it. My compliments on the jaw dropping beautiful flowers.

[usonian]

10. Love flowers.

My first SLR lens was and is a 55mm macro that is also great at infinity. Just over 50 years old now (the lens)

When I did a massive upgrade from the "do it all" point and shoot, I went for the 105 mm.

These are all full-frame.

The 105 definitely gives me more working distance. I was casting shade on the flowers too often.

I did some flower photos (before they were buried under 18 inches of snow) with the macro stopped way down for depth of field, and of course, on a tripod. I'm shopping for a flash as well.

74 years young and steady hand! Who needs yoga when you've got photographer's breath control?

Keep up the great work.

P.S. the flowers are the first to pop, so they don't mind the snow.
Haven't complained that I know of.

[urbanhermit]

11. WOW!!!