OM SYSTEM Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro for Micro Four Thirds System Camera, Compact Macro Lens, 1.25x Image Maginification, Fast AF, Beautiful Bokeh

Given the lens' relative low cost, I had debated it for a while. Every time I would add it to my shopping cart online, I’d get hesitant and remove it. I have always been interested in macro shots, and I love looking at macro shots, but taking macro shots never really appealed to me, oddly. When the price dropped due to a sale, I figured I’d give it a go. Build/Feel Despite the plastic, it has a good build quality that feels nice in the hands. It’s very light, and the small size makes it pocketable. The manual focus ring is both large and smooth—perfect for dialing in focus. Initial Reaction When I first purchased the lens, I felt very lukewarm with it. I almost regretted the lens, and debating returning it. I really wanted to like it, but I didn’t. I couldn’t figure out if it was macro photography in general, or if it was the lens. I’m more of a street photographer, so macro was out of my element and experience. I started to recognize that this lens was specialized and won’t be suitable for many situations. I wasn’t used to having to be really close to the subject, given the 30mm focal length. I’m assuming those that don’t want to get within inches of insects would rather purchase Olympus’ 60mm macro lens instead. While the 60mm is a faster lens, it also comes at a higher cost. Initial Test Shots As a photographer, one of the first things I look at is image quality of the photos. The images are sharp. I am very happy with the image quality. I quickly found that a normal part of macro photography is to need to use some sort of additional lighting. While I could have brought out my transmitters with a flash, or purchased a ring flash or twin light flash for more money, I found that having a flash in the hot shoe with a light modifier/diffuser works very well (I have a Gary Fong light diffuser, but a plastic food container with lid would work just as well). In good light, the lens focuses very well and fast. One thing I’ve found is that in low contrast, low light, and/or backlit situations, the lens does not want to focus and hunts. It will run through the focus range a few times, and then stop. When I first popped the lens on the camera, I did what I normally do with a new lens. I turn to my wife, and take a picture. She was backlit, and it hunted and hunted, so I recomposed a bit, then it focused. Ok. Then, after taking a picture of my wife, the second thing I usually do is take a picture of my dog. Dog sitting in the middle of the floor, later in the day, not much ambient light. It again, hunted, hunted, and hunted, didn't focus. I tried it again, but my dog got annoyed and walked off before I could snap a shot. If you turn off your focus assist beam (I usually have mind turned off), be ready for focus hunting if you have the situations mentioned previously. If you turn your focus assist beam on, it’ll be somewhat slow to focus, but it should find focus. At least mine does. Overview After owning the lens for 2 months, I’ve decided that this lens is definitely a keeper. While it may not always make it to my bag, and it may not get taken on vacation with me, it’s a great lens to have in my arsenal. It is a specialized lens, but the shorter focal length allows the option of having some of the background in the shot. This provides a different, and sometimes unique, perspective of the subject of the photo. I’m very happy with the lens.

I have had the 60mm f/2.8 macro for years, and it has been awesome. But I have long been intrigued by this much smaller, lighter, wider angle macro that also doubles as an excellent (near) normal lens. And it has actually become my macro go-to this season. Do I have to get a lot closer to my subject to achieve the same magnification as the 60mm? Yes. But that turns out to be a good thing for me as I'm primarily a wildflower photographer, and when I'm zeroing in on minute details, I love getting as close as I can with both eye and lens. I wouldn't get right on top of a stinging insect with this lens, but I don't do that with the 60mm either (I use a 150mm zoom for this). I have however successfully taken excellent macro shots of pollinators with this lens without scaring them off. This lens also allows me to do some really cool things with perspective that the 60mm is just too "telephoto" for. Note that it doesn't have the focus limiter switch or a lens hood like the 60mm, but with the 30mm I don't miss either of these things. The manual focus ring is great. If you're looking to add some variety to your macro game, or looking for your first macro for your OM system and want to save some money as compared to the 60mm, you can't go wrong here. This is a great choice.

Small, lightweight, sharp, high macro magnification (1.25x in micro-4/3 format). Slow speed isn't a problem for macro work where one stops down anyway. CAUTION: at maximum magnification, working distance to the front of the lens is a tad over half an inch, creating lighting challenges (I took off one star for that). Since the lens can easily shade the subject, light must be from the side. Also, skittish subjects might flee. Not a problem for me, but if this bothers you, a longer macro (such as the Olympus 60mm f/2.8) offers more flexibility, at the cost of larger size and weight, and slightly lower magnification.

Excellent lens, image quality and build quality are outstanding. The compact size is nice. I use it mostly for copying/digitizing 35mm slides and negatives. My only regret is waiting so long to finally buy this lens. Highly recommended.

I have been very pleased with this lens. It is super sharp and easy to use. Oh, It might have been nicer to have a larger aperture like f2.8. But for the price, it can't be beat

This is an amazing lens, and I love it. The lens is so light and fast to focus, and it is also outstanding as a street lens in addition to its macro capabilities. I would highly recommend this lens to anyone interested in macro photography. Its price point is so attractive for a macro as well. It may not be the fastest lens at F3.5, but for the price, it is hard to use that fact against it.

I got this for macro and close-up, and am happy with the results. Interesting thing is that I can use this as a slightly longer "normal", so it can be on a camera body when taking landscapes AND closeups. (Probably works well for prortraits, just haven't tried.) Not especially perfectly sharp and only F3.5, but I'm quite happy with the results. Always nice to find M4/3 lenses, because I'm dedicated to the format and don't want to lose the benefit of the variety of lenses available.

I had to return 2 of these lenses - both for the same problem. I could just barely get them on and off my Panasonic camera. I was afraid they were going to damage the mounts on my cameras. So I returned them. I have never had this problem with any other MFT lenses I have purchased over the years. My guess is the 2 lenses I received were part of an isolated batch or some similar issue. I was not willing to take a chance, however.