I've found that I REALLY like this one for general photography while hiking in wooded areas. Great focal length and I'm not often looking at large landscape, but can go super close to interesting plants and insects. The contrast is pretty wild. It's super shadowy at times, but the highlight roll off is great and I can bring up a lot of detail if needed in post. The close focus distance is obviously both a blessing and a curse depending on what you're using it for, but very flexible overall. I will note that it can struggle with autofocus hunting at times, but cameras with phase detection will have little to no issue with it. Most interesting use I had was casually taking general wedding pics at a very dimly light reception. I was trying to avoid impacting the hired pros, so wasn't using a flash, and got remarkably nice photos with plenty of sharpness to outweigh the minor noise. No serious focus hunting even in the equivalent of dark nightclub lighting with my contrast detection camera.
Spot on, best bang for the buck - by far. I bought it for repro work, but instantly got hooked. Best all-round prime lens for Olympus, at least for me. Sharp and good micro contrast even at open aperture - never think about focusing distance again!
Christian Augustin thanks Christian! Yeah there are reasons why Olympus brought this out and it’s a good complement to 60mm macro if you do a lot of close up photography and for the price, can’t argue!
Haven't tried it, I'm big fan of 60mm macro, but for the price and the size of 30mm, I should give it a try. My only regard is that is not weather sealed. I still hope for a PRO macro someday.
Anastas Tarpanov thanks for watching :) not sure if they will bring a pro version since the 60 is already a pro level lens minus the metal construction. I like it because it’s light and small and great IQ
The next generation EM1IIx is about to release, you can upgrade your EM1, and the new m43 flagship with handheld 80mp pixel-shift can provide insane details with macro lens.
Bene C thank you Bene! Yeah I don’t do this type of shoot often and it was really for a friend but it was fun and since I do wedding ring shots a lot so I may as well give it a go! Take care mate. J
Hi There, you use it often for jewellery photography? with which camera? can I see the results of your jewellery shoot somewhere online? you use focus staking also? thanks :)
Let me just say that minimal background blur coupled with a very moody and interesting background in the video is SUPER GREAT! I'm so tired of "isolating the subject" with a maximum backround blur when in fact people are just a bit too lazy to find an interesting background that tells a story. That's the first video of yours I've seen and I'm subscribed because of a very nice review and... the RIGHT BACKGROUND ATTITUDE!!!
I'm in a similar area looking for my next prime , have the 12-40 pro.40-150 pro and 45 1.8. I was at a camera store yesterday and tried the PL 15mm 1.7 I really enjoyed the small size and rendering .Good luck on your next lens purchase.
I recently got the OneStep 2 Viewfinder and I really wanna know the comparisons between them, and maybe some help on takin photos.. I am struggling with my OneStep 2 😕 Thanks
I did look at this lens for a nanosecond but, like all such lenses (all manufacturers make one this sort of focal length), decided they are all a bit pointless. Your video, as you struggled to stuff your finger in, makes the point brilliantly; a macro lens needs longer working distance. The 60mm is perfect. I was drawn by the thought of its flexibility but in the end I bought the 45mm f1.8 and dont regret it as it is bitingly sharp and much faster. Really you dont need AF for macro, you are better setting the lens and moving the camera to focus. So, rather than buy this limiting lens, if you cant afford the 60mm you are far better off buying a longer manual legacy macro lens with an adapter and a nice 45mm for normal shots. Well thats my opinion for what its worth - winks ;-)
I agree that 60mm is better in every way and hence one of my favourites, though there's some reasons for a shorter FL macro for 1:2 rather than 1:1 macro and Canon used to make 2:1 macro too and I am never a macro guy but I guess there're some reasons for a separate need for each focal lengths. :)
Is the 30 versatile for everyday shots and even portraits? I’m thinking its 60 full frame equivalency could work for street but maybe a bit short for portraits...not sure. Oh, and do you have any handy ways of keeping a non-weather sealed lens like this protected when the weather isn’t cooperating? You guys looked pretty exposed on that roof and it seemed like it was threatening to ☔️
It's more versatile due to a more general focal length. But it's 3.5 at its brightest and not weathersealed may deter some people. But I am ok shooting street and portrait with 25mm so 30mm isn't and wouldn't be a problem. Yes, it was starting to rain just when we finished filming!
Nope, not for macro work ....I think you need a longer focus lens like 60 or 90mm where you can get a bit further away without crowding your subject or shading a flash just when you need it........I use to use a 135 mm tele lens when I was doing 35mm close up and used extension tubes for better control of touchy subjects etc. As I've just bought an E M10 mark 111 camera it also opens up the possibility of my using OM lenses from my film days with non AF extension tubes and an adaptor to do close ups......a 3 set of plain or non AF extension tubes cost A$19 on EBAY while a 2 set AF extension tube set cost A$60.
Macro's definition is close up photography, I agree that 30mm may not be for the die hard macro fans, but for most, this is actually very usable, it can get much closer to subjects than any other lenses, 30mm also mean easily for handheld shots, with longer focal length, shooting extreme close up still needs a support for better, sharper shots, especially hand doing stacking. For most, 'general' people and the occasional user, 30mm is actually quite good, like back in the old film days, the reason for a 50mm macro and a 100mm macro.
Another bait and disingenuous title . All of the m4/3 reviews of RED35 are strongly biased towards Olympus . The Panasonic 2.8/30mm is very similar to the Olympus but is brighter and normally gets slightly better results in more independent reviews
dayeah765 caoni . Clueless and offensive reply. Most people would understand the difference between a dealer and an ambassador but clearly you don’t 🤨🤓
It is also one of the lenses that can be used with Olympus, in camera photo stacking.
I've found that I REALLY like this one for general photography while hiking in wooded areas. Great focal length and I'm not often looking at large landscape, but can go super close to interesting plants and insects. The contrast is pretty wild. It's super shadowy at times, but the highlight roll off is great and I can bring up a lot of detail if needed in post. The close focus distance is obviously both a blessing and a curse depending on what you're using it for, but very flexible overall. I will note that it can struggle with autofocus hunting at times, but cameras with phase detection will have little to no issue with it. Most interesting use I had was casually taking general wedding pics at a very dimly light reception. I was trying to avoid impacting the hired pros, so wasn't using a flash, and got remarkably nice photos with plenty of sharpness to outweigh the minor noise. No serious focus hunting even in the equivalent of dark nightclub lighting with my contrast detection camera.
Spot on, best bang for the buck - by far. I bought it for repro work, but instantly got hooked. Best all-round prime lens for Olympus, at least for me. Sharp and good micro contrast even at open aperture - never think about focusing distance again!
Christian Augustin thanks Christian! Yeah there are reasons why Olympus brought this out and it’s a good complement to 60mm macro if you do a lot of close up photography and for the price, can’t argue!
Great video, loved it!
Haven't tried it, I'm big fan of 60mm macro, but for the price and the size of 30mm, I should give it a try. My only regard is that is not weather sealed. I still hope for a PRO macro someday.
Anastas Tarpanov thanks for watching :) not sure if they will bring a pro version since the 60 is already a pro level lens minus the metal construction. I like it because it’s light and small and great IQ
Bought this lens new N cheap . Super sharp lens all around...
I wanna try it for portrait.
The next generation EM1IIx is about to release, you can upgrade your EM1, and the new m43 flagship with handheld 80mp pixel-shift can provide insane details with macro lens.
Very interesting video and clear explanation.
Do you think the image quality will be very good on a 20Mpx (OMD 10 IV)
gee some fantastic shots here well done forgot how much fun they can be stay safe see ya
Bene C thank you Bene! Yeah I don’t do this type of shoot often and it was really for a friend but it was fun and since I do wedding ring shots a lot so I may as well give it a go! Take care mate. J
Super informative review! Thank you, Jimmy.
Thank you for watching David, appreciate the comment!
Wish you told something about focus breathing...
Hi There, you use it often for jewellery photography? with which camera? can I see the results of your jewellery shoot somewhere online? you use focus staking also? thanks :)
What about using it for people (portraits)? It's a little more reach than the "nifty fifty" concept...
Thanks for the great vid. And that jacket you're wearing is EVERYTHING! (Where's it from? haha)
Thanks mate! The jacket is from Levi’s :)
Let me just say that minimal background blur coupled with a very moody and interesting background in the video is SUPER GREAT! I'm so tired of "isolating the subject" with a maximum backround blur when in fact people are just a bit too lazy to find an interesting background that tells a story.
That's the first video of yours I've seen and I'm subscribed because of a very nice review and... the RIGHT BACKGROUND ATTITUDE!!!
If you were going to purchase one prime lens what would it be? I already own the 60mm macro and the 12-40mm pro lenses.
I'm in a similar area looking for my next prime , have the 12-40 pro.40-150 pro and 45 1.8. I was at a camera store yesterday and tried the PL 15mm 1.7 I really enjoyed the small size and rendering .Good luck on your next lens purchase.
The tune is you’re videos is so catchy lol... P.S when is the Polaroid OneStep 2+ coming out? Sorry, I just love Polaroid 🥺✌️ great vid BTW
I recently got the OneStep 2 Viewfinder and I really wanna know the comparisons between them, and maybe some help on takin photos.. I am struggling with my OneStep 2 😕 Thanks
I did look at this lens for a nanosecond but, like all such lenses (all manufacturers make one this sort of focal length), decided they are all a bit pointless. Your video, as you struggled to stuff your finger in, makes the point brilliantly; a macro lens needs longer working distance. The 60mm is perfect. I was drawn by the thought of its flexibility but in the end I bought the 45mm f1.8 and dont regret it as it is bitingly sharp and much faster. Really you dont need AF for macro, you are better setting the lens and moving the camera to focus. So, rather than buy this limiting lens, if you cant afford the 60mm you are far better off buying a longer manual legacy macro lens with an adapter and a nice 45mm for normal shots. Well thats my opinion for what its worth - winks ;-)
I agree that 60mm is better in every way and hence one of my favourites, though there's some reasons for a shorter FL macro for 1:2 rather than 1:1 macro and Canon used to make 2:1 macro too and I am never a macro guy but I guess there're some reasons for a separate need for each focal lengths. :)
I had it, wonderfull lens! I sold for 60 macro, but I am little repented about it...
Prometheus oh the 60 always has a specialty place in my bag :)
Is the 30 versatile for everyday shots and even portraits? I’m thinking its 60 full frame equivalency could work for street but maybe a bit short for portraits...not sure. Oh, and do you have any handy ways of keeping a non-weather sealed lens like this protected when the weather isn’t cooperating? You guys looked pretty exposed on that roof and it seemed like it was threatening to ☔️
It's more versatile due to a more general focal length. But it's 3.5 at its brightest and not weathersealed may deter some people. But I am ok shooting street and portrait with 25mm so 30mm isn't and wouldn't be a problem. Yes, it was starting to rain just when we finished filming!
Where the EM-X1 . You said it would be release 1/19/19
1/24/19 is the official announcement date for the new camera.
Good review, thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Nope, not for macro work ....I think you need a longer focus lens like 60 or 90mm where you can get a bit further away without crowding your subject or shading a flash just when you need it........I use to use a 135 mm tele lens when I was doing 35mm close up and used extension tubes for better control of touchy subjects etc.
As I've just bought an E M10 mark 111 camera it also opens up the possibility of my using OM lenses from my film days with non AF extension tubes and an adaptor to do close ups......a 3 set of plain or non AF extension tubes cost A$19 on EBAY while a 2 set AF extension tube set cost A$60.
Macro's definition is close up photography, I agree that 30mm may not be for the die hard macro fans, but for most, this is actually very usable, it can get much closer to subjects than any other lenses, 30mm also mean easily for handheld shots, with longer focal length, shooting extreme close up still needs a support for better, sharper shots, especially hand doing stacking. For most, 'general' people and the occasional user, 30mm is actually quite good, like back in the old film days, the reason for a 50mm macro and a 100mm macro.
Another bait and disingenuous title . All of the m4/3 reviews of RED35 are strongly biased towards Olympus . The Panasonic 2.8/30mm is very similar to the Olympus but is brighter and normally gets slightly better results in more independent reviews
Learn to read. Author is olympus ambassador. Do your ford dealer praise toyota? Fuck off
dayeah765 caoni . Clueless and offensive reply. Most people would understand the difference between a dealer and an ambassador but clearly you don’t 🤨🤓
No.
bullshiet, 60mm f/2.8 is far more superior.