Man this was the video I needed to know bout the glory of macros. Pretty much 99% of videos reviewing this lens are all about how close you can get. I didn't ever think of getting one because I wasn't one to shoot super close, but the fact that it's that good for sharp portraits and is weathered sealed to boot has changed my mind.
This is one of my fav lens. I love the sharpness and the way it renders colors. I bought it for macro shots (which are unbelievable btw) but use mainly for portraits
Indeed, a lot of M4/3 users often overlook this awesome lens and go with 45mm or 75mm. They are all great lenses but this is by far one of the sharpest and versatile lenses in any M4/3 arena.
Red35 Photography Indeed! I really enjoy using it for all kinds of photography, portrait photos too. And I am always very pleased by the results. Plus: I prefer the focal lenght over the 45mm f1.8 wich I also own. I like your videos, keep it up :)
Thanks! We surely will. Both Tracey and I will work very hard for this channel. As we are both professionals in our own fields, it's often challenged by free time to make videos for this channel. But it's fun and we are still new in the RUclips world :) So your support is very much appreciated!
Having this lens, I must say, "your video has opened my eyes to what all this lens can do". Thank you very much. Now, I will have to buy one of those camera bags too.
Thanks James! It's definitely a very versatile lens despite its 'Macro' label. I love it and such a sharp, lightweight, weather-sealed and compact lens! Worth having in your bag regardless! Happy shooting!
Very nice. I don't use mine that much, but I often use it for portraits, compressed landscapes, and video work. The image quality and the way the lens renders is excellent.
Thanks Nick for watching and kind comment. I am almost the complete opposite as I don't shoot bugs but I do use the macro lens for my wedding ring shots so I do get close, very close sometimes. But this lens is so flexible, light and combine with the Olympus' 5-axis stabilisation, you can do a lot of stuff without lugging a tripod!
There is yet another one Zuiko Macro that is almost as sharp as this one, but also soft as a portrait lens - It is 50/2.0 for 4/3. Autofocus is very slow there, but portraits are very good.
I use Sigma 60mm f2.8 for street, tavel, animals, portrait, events (for fun) but it it's not so good for macro. The AF also is so so but I wonder if it's older body's fault (gf1 and g3). But the results are very nice. So how is Oly 60mm doing in AF area?
Thanks Cat Cat for watching :) the Oly 60 macro actually very good, AF is not as fast as other dedicated primes simply because it has longer gearing for macro works. But it's fast enough and it can even track a few things. As dedicated macro lens, it's super sharp, detailed and can achieve 1:1 magnification if you are into close up. Very versatile.
I'm looking to buy a macro lens for general purpose, like you've just explained in this video. What would be a better choice? The pana 45mm, or this Oly 60mm?
Hi there, thanks for watching our review :) As much a Leica fan myself, the Pana 45mm would be my choice but after trying them, the Only 60mm will beat Pana 45mm hands down in every single way, sharpness, bokeh, build quality... etc. The only thing it doesn't have is Power OIS and you will need a Panasonic body that supports IBIS if you want a stable shoot at closer distances.
Hi there, thanks for watching our review! The 45mm is a great little lens and even smaller than the 60mm but you don't have the same sharpness level nor it's weather sealed. Yes, it's slower to focus and also in terms of light gathering but if you are used to shooting 2.8 full frame zoom lenses, you will have no problem utilising this lens to its max. However, this 60 is just a great lens on its own. The Oly 25mm is a different beast. I use it almost daily. It's a great portrait lens too but still, wide open performance is not as sharp as this 60mm. But you get much faster focusing and shallower depth of field when close to subject and also 1.2!! You can shoot in the dark a lot when the 60mm struggles.
Thanks for the review, recently purchased an OM-D E-M1 Mark II in preference to a cheaper, but heavier canon eos 80d. Already own an olympus tg-4 as a pocket camera that also does macro and was looking at macro vs telephoto, but this review seems good as would have never considered a macro lens for portrait range photography :) Will stick to the P900 for telephoto stuff :)
Never really used it for anything more than close-ups. Not like just 1:1 close, but close. Never tried it for stuff like a portrait. Slots in the middle of the 45mm and 75mm, so maybe a good option. Might be sharper than the 45mm.
Hi Craig for watching the video. Yes it's definitely sharper than 45mm for sure. Equally sharp if not sharper than 75mm also in my opinion. I just love the fact that you can get really close and step away on demand without having to worry about focus limits. My only complaint would be focusing speed and a relatively slow 2.8 but in macro photography, 2.8 is plenty fast and otherwise, it'll be impossible to focus.
Fantastic video you made! I was thinking of also getting it for capturing some details inside cathedrals o museums or for painting details when I cannot get too close to the canvas. Do you think it is appropriate or say a 12-40 would do just fine for that? or should I really need that 1 extra stop I could get with an f/1.8 or 1.4? This thoughts have harassed me for long time haha, thanks you if you'll ever read this!
Hey Salvo, thanks for watching! Well, in museum you may want to have faster lenses unless you want to get very close detail shots. 1.8 or 1.4 will help better because don't forget that higher ISO will also affect sharpness/details in the image so there's always a trade off. This macro lens is one hell of a lens but it's also at 2.8 which is fine but you if you don't need to shoot at a couple of inches from the subject/object, you may want to consider 45mm 1.8 instead or even 75mm 1.8 if distance is a problem.
@@Red35Photography thank you for the reply! In the past days I also did some more research and I'm glad to see that I came to your same conclusion. I think I will opt for the 45 1.8! Keep up with the good work here 💪
Thanks Matt!!! I actually thought you were Matt in the video hahah. Anyway, bokeh is nice in this lens. You can see some shots in the video when you freeze it.
yonatan yin Thanks for watching! Yes this lens is just awesome and very versatile. No, this lens focuses very quietly :) If it makes loud noises, you should have it checked out. Do you use it on an OM-D body?
I've tried to like this lens but it just doesn't click with me. The macro part works, in MF, and it is weather sealed for whatever reason. Everything else doesn't work for me. AF is too slow, even with the focus limiter so forget shooting anything that moves. I also find 2.8 too slow for a prime that has non-macro applications. 45mm and 75mm are a better fit. The latter has better IQ to boot. I think the 30mm macro lens from Olympus would have been a better fit for me.
Great info, I’ve had one for a few years now, but are you either sponsored by Olympus, NB I have nearly all Olympus 4/3 cameras and never use the straps, as with all camera manufacturers, the straps suck. In fact I think they are missing a trick, produce a great strap and attachments and get ahead of the market. Your bag as people have commented is stylish, so why the United pimped camera. Be Honest!
It is a dream lens. Macro amazing. Portrait amazing.
Love your older content. Your pace was so zen.
I really enjoyed learning about this nontraditional use of a macro lens. Thank you so very much.
Man this was the video I needed to know bout the glory of macros. Pretty much 99% of videos reviewing this lens are all about how close you can get. I didn't ever think of getting one because I wasn't one to shoot super close, but the fact that it's that good for sharp portraits and is weathered sealed to boot has changed my mind.
This is one of my fav lens. I love the sharpness and the way it renders colors. I bought it for macro shots (which are unbelievable btw) but use mainly for portraits
Fábio Sevá Thanks Fabio! Glad you’ve found the same voice and what a great little lens that delivers so much more than advertised.
One of my favorite lenses! The sharpness, the bokeh rendering, the colors - just excellent!
Indeed, a lot of M4/3 users often overlook this awesome lens and go with 45mm or 75mm. They are all great lenses but this is by far one of the sharpest and versatile lenses in any M4/3 arena.
Red35 Photography Indeed! I really enjoy using it for all kinds of photography, portrait photos too. And I am always very pleased by the results. Plus: I prefer the focal lenght over the 45mm f1.8 wich I also own.
I like your videos, keep it up :)
Thanks! We surely will. Both Tracey and I will work very hard for this channel. As we are both professionals in our own fields, it's often challenged by free time to make videos for this channel. But it's fun and we are still new in the RUclips world :) So your support is very much appreciated!
Thanks! Great Review Jimmy.
Having this lens, I must say, "your video has opened my eyes to what all this lens can do". Thank you very much. Now, I will have to buy one of those camera bags too.
Thanks James! It's definitely a very versatile lens despite its 'Macro' label. I love it and such a sharp, lightweight, weather-sealed and compact lens! Worth having in your bag regardless! Happy shooting!
Very nice. I don't use mine that much, but I often use it for portraits, compressed landscapes, and video work. The image quality and the way the lens renders is excellent.
Absolutely Raksh9! Thanks for watching the video :) Much appreciated.
Very informative, I just purchased one for my EM-1. I can't wait to take coral pictures with this.
Thanks for the review. I wanted to know the another use of this lens!
Thank you. Very few people will use Macro lens for portrait. I am seriously thinking of getting one.
Awesome pictures and editing btw🤗
I look forward to more videos.Keep it up!
Thank you for watching and support! Much appreciated and we will work hard to bring more videos up!
I look forward to more videos
To be honest, never thought about this. Great review and great idea.
Very inspirational!
Great video dude. Now I’m considering to add one to my bag ;). Thanks for that good content.
Thanks Will, yes this one of the most versatile lenses in the Olympus line up.
My most used lens. But mostly use for bugs. I will have to give it more of a workout with portraits. thanks for the enlightening video.
Thanks Nick for watching and kind comment. I am almost the complete opposite as I don't shoot bugs but I do use the macro lens for my wedding ring shots so I do get close, very close sometimes. But this lens is so flexible, light and combine with the Olympus' 5-axis stabilisation, you can do a lot of stuff without lugging a tripod!
Sir, do you have a flickr account or somewhere we can see examples of your bug shots with this lens?
I think its high time Jimmy that you do a vid comparing the combative abilities of various lenses.
There is yet another one Zuiko Macro that is almost as sharp as this one, but also soft as a portrait lens - It is 50/2.0 for 4/3. Autofocus is very slow there, but portraits are very good.
Jimmy enjoyed your Olympus 60mm Macro lens review
I use Sigma 60mm f2.8 for street, tavel, animals, portrait, events (for fun) but it it's not so good for macro. The AF also is so so but I wonder if it's older body's fault (gf1 and g3). But the results are very nice. So how is Oly 60mm doing in AF area?
Thanks Cat Cat for watching :) the Oly 60 macro actually very good, AF is not as fast as other dedicated primes simply because it has longer gearing for macro works. But it's fast enough and it can even track a few things. As dedicated macro lens, it's super sharp, detailed and can achieve 1:1 magnification if you are into close up. Very versatile.
Red35 Photography Yes, I hated myself for buying the brand new sigma60 when a week later I saw the Oly60 for extra 70$ used in good condition 😂😂🤣😅😣😫
I'm looking to buy a macro lens for general purpose, like you've just explained in this video. What would be a better choice? The pana 45mm, or this Oly 60mm?
Hi there, thanks for watching our review :) As much a Leica fan myself, the Pana 45mm would be my choice but after trying them, the Only 60mm will beat Pana 45mm hands down in every single way, sharpness, bokeh, build quality... etc. The only thing it doesn't have is Power OIS and you will need a Panasonic body that supports IBIS if you want a stable shoot at closer distances.
I own a OMD EM 10 mrk iii. Do you think that this lens combining with this camera will give me sharp pictures for portraits?
Yes, it will :)
6:31 - Jason Stathem detected)
Thank you for another point of view on the use of this lens
Danke!
Thank you!
Nice review! How would you compare this to the Oly 45mm? Is the 25mm 1.2 still the best portrait lens in the Oly line up?
Hi there, thanks for watching our review! The 45mm is a great little lens and even smaller than the 60mm but you don't have the same sharpness level nor it's weather sealed. Yes, it's slower to focus and also in terms of light gathering but if you are used to shooting 2.8 full frame zoom lenses, you will have no problem utilising this lens to its max. However, this 60 is just a great lens on its own. The Oly 25mm is a different beast. I use it almost daily. It's a great portrait lens too but still, wide open performance is not as sharp as this 60mm. But you get much faster focusing and shallower depth of field when close to subject and also 1.2!! You can shoot in the dark a lot when the 60mm struggles.
I agree that quite often photographers forget that macro lenses are good for portraits too.
Absolutely Charles and thanks for watching!! Have a nice day!
Thanks for the review, recently purchased an OM-D E-M1 Mark II in preference to a cheaper, but heavier canon eos 80d. Already own an olympus tg-4 as a pocket camera that also does macro and was looking at macro vs telephoto, but this review seems good as would have never considered a macro lens for portrait range photography :) Will stick to the P900 for telephoto stuff :)
Never really used it for anything more than close-ups. Not like just 1:1 close, but close. Never tried it for stuff like a portrait. Slots in the middle of the 45mm and 75mm, so maybe a good option. Might be sharper than the 45mm.
Hi Craig for watching the video. Yes it's definitely sharper than 45mm for sure. Equally sharp if not sharper than 75mm also in my opinion. I just love the fact that you can get really close and step away on demand without having to worry about focus limits. My only complaint would be focusing speed and a relatively slow 2.8 but in macro photography, 2.8 is plenty fast and otherwise, it'll be impossible to focus.
I regretted to buy Leica 45mm f2.8 instead of this lens. Have you compared these 2 macro lenses?
Lol Zuiko is the way man
I’m surprised you didn’t do any macro shooting with it but still a pretty good video
Excellent for underwater use. Macro and fish both!
Fantastic video you made! I was thinking of also getting it for capturing some details inside cathedrals o museums or for painting details when I cannot get too close to the canvas. Do you think it is appropriate or say a 12-40 would do just fine for that? or should I really need that 1 extra stop I could get with an f/1.8 or 1.4? This thoughts have harassed me for long time haha, thanks you if you'll ever read this!
Hey Salvo, thanks for watching! Well, in museum you may want to have faster lenses unless you want to get very close detail shots. 1.8 or 1.4 will help better because don't forget that higher ISO will also affect sharpness/details in the image so there's always a trade off. This macro lens is one hell of a lens but it's also at 2.8 which is fine but you if you don't need to shoot at a couple of inches from the subject/object, you may want to consider 45mm 1.8 instead or even 75mm 1.8 if distance is a problem.
@@Red35Photography thank you for the reply! In the past days I also did some more research and I'm glad to see that I came to your same conclusion. I think I will opt for the 45 1.8! Keep up with the good work here 💪
That’s given me some new ideas, any thx
6:40 Jason Statham?
Very informative and funny too. Thanks. Question: Where did you get the special lenshood and what does it cost?
Thanks Gerie! It's an official Olympus lens hood LH-49. It's about £45 I think but it's a well worth buy because it's just good (and collapsible!)
What camera you used and lenses in Spain clip in vlog?
Ernesto Colon hi there, thanks for watching!! I shot that with the Olympus E-M1 Mark II and 25mm 1.2 Pro
Actually macro lens are designed to be sharp at very close range. So it will not be better than another portrait lens at regular portraits distance.
My next lens 😊 only 349 euro brand new 😊
You will enjoy it!
Actually, a tele lens and a wide angle lens has the same distortion. I comes down to how close the subject you are. :)
Red35, you have THE hottest models in your videos!
Glad you appreciate them :) Have a lovely weekend!
Whats the Bokeh like on this lens?
Thanks Matt!!! I actually thought you were Matt in the video hahah. Anyway, bokeh is nice in this lens. You can see some shots in the video when you freeze it.
Was the photo at 6:24 taken in one shot? It looks great, with great isolation of the subject!
Thanks Vessy for watching our review. Yes, it’s one shot and this lens is really quite something.
Wow! Yes it is! Thank you for the great and different review, it convinced me to get the lens. :)
nice!
Thanks Lifeofejan ;)
hey anyone that has this lens. I just got it. its awesome. do your guys lens make noise when autofocusing?
yonatan yin Thanks for watching! Yes this lens is just awesome and very versatile. No, this lens focuses very quietly :) If it makes loud noises, you should have it checked out. Do you use it on an OM-D body?
Red35 Photography I mean when you are indoors in a quiet place. Can you hear like the AF engage, like a small buzzing sound.
That is or should be Un Pimped Camera!
I've tried to like this lens but it just doesn't click with me.
The macro part works, in MF, and it is weather sealed for whatever reason.
Everything else doesn't work for me. AF is too slow, even with the focus limiter so forget shooting anything that moves. I also find 2.8 too slow for a prime that has non-macro applications. 45mm and 75mm are a better fit. The latter has better IQ to boot.
I think the 30mm macro lens from Olympus would have been a better fit for me.
Fair enough, did you sell it? If not let me know!
Here are some crazy samples (video & photo) of this lens: ruclips.net/video/5arcHMmrOy0/видео.html
pretty cool! Thanks for sharing mate!
Great info, I’ve had one for a few years now, but are you either sponsored by Olympus, NB I have nearly all Olympus 4/3 cameras and never use the straps, as with all camera manufacturers, the straps suck.
In fact I think they are missing a trick, produce a great strap and attachments and get ahead of the market. Your bag as people have commented is stylish, so why the United pimped camera. Be Honest!
Cant you take a chick for pics?