After they recent look Why OM System M.Zuiko 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO performed above, Backscatter has now put the new macro lens to the test underwater. Designed for cameras with Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensors, the 90mm OM System is a professional-grade lens with a 2:1 reproduction ratio. An MFT crop factor of 2x means that this lens is equivalent to a 180 mm lens on a full-frame camera, which means a considerable working distance—about 3 inches (8 cm) from the tip of the lens.
In the video “Part 2” in Backscatter’s Update, Backscatter CEO Jim Decker and Media Producer Robin Dodd returned to talk about the lens’ performance during Jim’s dive. First, they cover 2:1 macro photography and discuss how the three-position focus limit switch on the lens barrel provides scope for different sizes of subjects. Jim notes that autofocus works great as long as you’re shooting within the range you’ve selected via the focus limit switch: (i) 0.25–∞, (ii) 0.25–0, 5 (up to 1:1 macro) and (iii) “MACRO” (up to 2:1 macro).
Jim also experimented with adding diopters, such as SAGA +5 and AOI +12.5 . Macro Lens, to achieve even greater magnification. He notes the incredible amount of detail you get but also the razor-thin depth of field, which makes focusing quite difficult. Robin and Jim point out that while a 180mm-equivalent lens gives you an impressive working distance for small subjects, it’s not meant to fill the frame with larger subjects, for example. as for the fish portrait, because you will have to back up also much. For most fish portraits, Olympus 60mm macro is a better choice.
As Jim’s impressive images make it clear, if you’re interested in seeing the tiniest details in the tiniest of creatures, this 90mm macro lens on an MFT camera is an unlikely combination. beatable. Check out the video below and go to backscatter to study those amazing super close-ups—close-ups.
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