Macro set up #2: Olympus E-M1 + Panasonic 35-100 + Canon 250D close up lens

This set-up is similar to the one used for the flower photos in the previous post and which is shown two posts-ago here.  But instead of using the 500D closeup lens designed to focus a zoom lens at 50cm (about 20"), the 250D is designed to focus a zoom lens at 25cm (about 10").

The 250D is slightly thicker, perhaps because of its
greater magnification. More magnification = more glass.

Olympus E-M1 plus Panasonic 35-100mm plus Canon 250D close-up lens

This is what I found out on the Panasonic 35-100:

The advantage of the 250D is increased magnification. Assuming the lens is all the way zoomed in at 100mm (FF=200mm), by cutting the focusing distance to 10", the 250D gives close to a 1:1 macro (FF equivalent). The 500D  can only give you about a 1:2 macro (FF equivalent).

But with greater magnification comes decreased depth of field.  The depth of field with the 250D is so thin that I found it necessary to use F5.6 or F8, whereas with the 500D I used F2.8 or F4.

Depth of field at F2.8 and 100mm (FF 200mm) = Perhaps 1/2".

Depth of field at F8 and 100mm (FF 200mm) = Perhaps 3/4".
But with more gradual fall off giving the appearance of much more DOF.

Regardless of the one you use, or with any other acromatic lens for that matter, it takes some getting used to.  Your lens will not focus at infinity!  The 10" and 20" focusing distances are not minimum focusing distances, they are essentially the focusing distance.  That is why they work best on a zoom.  To widen your composition you can't move further back more than a few inches from the subject. Instead, you need keep the same focusing distance and zoom out.

Zoomed in at 100mm (FF 200mm)

Zoomed out at 35mm (FF 70mm)

The photos below were all taken with the 250D.  However, for flower photography I prefer the greater working distance of the 500D.  With less magnification, the depth of field is greater, and I can consequently use a bigger aperture thereby allowing more light to enter the lens.  The more light entering the lens, the lower the ISO required and/or the faster the shutter speed, both of which are good things.  Also, the 500D seems to be more forgiving when it comes to focusing distance.  The sweet spot is 20", but it seems I can go a couple of inches more or less than 20" and still lock focus.

Zoomed back to 65mm.  F8

At 100mm.  F8

At 100mm. F8

At 100mm. F8

80mm. F4

35mm. F2.8

Macros from Olympus E-M1 + Panasonic 35-100 + Canon 500D close-up lens

Though I have several dedicated macro lenses, I chose to take this makeshift arrangement (refer to my blog title) to the botanic gardens on Saturday.  I have had the Canon close-up lenses for many years and have used them on a number of cameras, well before I purchased my first macro lens.  From time to time it is fun to take these acromatic close-up lens out of their cases and give them a "go".

For more details and explanation see my prior post.

In all of these cases, aperture was F2.8.  I'm not sure that gave enough depth of field. You may like or not like the result.  But my desire was to get a blurry, creamy background if possible, and for that a large aperture is needed.

Except where indicated, these were shot at full zoom of 100mm (FF=200mm). With this combination of camera and lenses, when zoomed into 100mm, depth of field is about 1/4".

Here's what I got:

75mm (FF=150mm)

Macro Set up #1: Olympus E-M1 + Pany 35-100mm + Canon 500D closeup lens

For years I have been enjoying the use of add-on "filters" to add close up capabilities to zoom lenses.  These look like thick filters but are actually acromatic lenses.

I have two made by Canon: the 500D and the 250D.  They are about $100 each. Both of mine have 58mm threads. This makes them a perfect fit for the Panasonic 35-100 F2.8, which I used yesterday at the nearby botanic garden, and the Olympus kit 40-150mm F4-F5.6. The Panasonic lens is a zoom with a big aperture so it had an advantage yesterday because I wanted to shoot with a narrow depth of field to get a blurry background.  But both lenses provide very sharp images.

The 500D is designed to focus your zoom lens at 50cm (about 20") and the 250D is designed to focus your zoom lens at 25cm (about 10")

When the Panasonic is zoomed to 100mm (FF=200mm) you can get a 1:2 macro (FF equivalent) with the 500D and a 1:1 macro (FF equivalent) with the 250D.  Of course, a longer zoom will get more magnification, and is one reason I have used the Olympus kit 40-150 from time to time.

Here's the set up I used yesterday at the botanic gardens.  (I'm still reviewing the images, hoping for a few "good" ones to post later this week.)

In the foreground are the two Canon Close-up lenses: 250D and 500D

58mm threads fit perfectly on the Panasonic 35-100 mm zoom.
I used the 500D yesterday shooting flowers, and will post some
images soon.

A 500D or 250D in a larger size would work, too, but a step up ring would be required.
The advantage of the 58mm size is that it doesn't interfere with the lens hood.