Is the 45mm lens on a micro 4/3 worth it?

[Unaware6905]

I have an OM-D EM-10 IV with the AOI Octo housing. Bought the Olympus 60mm lens and port and will shoot with them for first time in Cozumel in 2 weeks. I also have a +6 diopter and flip mount.

I have been watching Alex Mustard's web series on UW photography. He suggests that, besides the 60mm lens for macro with these cameras, the 45mm is also useful for a wider range of subjects, e.g. larger fish down to nudibranchs. What's your opinion? Obviously, I will try out the 60mm in Cozumel, but do you think the 45mm would also be worth having? If so, which port or extension would I need for my system? How is autofocus with that lens?

 

[BoltSnap]

the 45mm

Are you talking about the Panasonic 45mm macro lens or something else?

 

[Unaware6905]

I meant an Olympus 45mm. But, your question made me look. Maybe there isn't a good OM 45mm macro lens, huh?

 

[BoltSnap]

Maybe there isn't a good OM 45mm macro lens, huh?

No, not "macro." There is Panasonic 45mm macro lens. I believe that om has a 45mm lens but it isn't macro.

 

[bvanant]

There is a very nice Oly 45 mm pro lens ($900) which is great topside but useless underwater, the max magnification is 0.1x and the minimum focus distance is 20 inches (50 cm). The Panasonic/Leica 45 is a great lens, really wonderful IQ and great bokeh BUT it does not focus fast. I use the 30,45, 60 and 90 macro lenses, each has a place).
Bill

 

[BoltSnap]

30,45, 60 and 90 macro lenses, each has a place

Can you give examples where you use one and not the other please?

 

[Pearlman]

There is a very nice Oly 45 mm pro lens ($900) which is great topside but useless underwater, the max magnification is 0.1x and the minimum focus distance is 20 inches (50 cm).

Yep I have that lens lying around unused - M.Zuiko 45mm f1.8 (90mm*)… maybe shot less than 200 snaps with it before I discovered I prefer the IQ and framing with the M.Zuiko 25mm f1.8 lens more. Never tried taking it UW though…

 

[rmorgan]

Can you give examples where you use one and not the other please?

30–blackwater (but I’m a heretic and prefer 12-40)
45–no idea
60–didn’t use it last time, didn’t bring it this time
90–glorious glass

 

[WS007]

In my previous MFT days, I was using Pana 45mm and Zuiko 60mm macro lenses on Oly EM5II and EM1II. Both have 1:1 magnification that can be extended by using e.g. CMC-1. The 45mm has shorter working distance, what is less optimal for shy critters, but better when the water is not clear...
AF on 45 worked better on EM5II (only CAF), but similar on EM1II (PDAF).
=> Zuiko 60mm was my macro lens of choice, but in less clear waters I took the Pana 45mm...

Wolfgang

P.S.: When one plans to use both 60mm and 45mm, it is advisable to purchase the N85 macroport 45 (instead of the 60) and an additional N85 20mm extension - then both lenses can be used with the same port (the 60mm with the additional 20mm extension).

 

[bvanant]

30 for blackwater. 45 for most macro dives where the subjects (mostly nudis) are 10 mm or more in size. 60 for dives for smaller things with CMC-1. 90 for tiny things (with cmc-2) like costasiella. I am too lazy to switch every dive, on our recent Anilao trip last week, I shot the 45 for 28 of the 50 dives, the 90 for 15 and the 30 for the rest. Never shot the 60​

Bill​