Olympus M.ZUIKO 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens and Raynox 250

racketman wrote in post #18836905
Okay hands up, I hadn’t heard of anyone attaching the Raynox that way but if it’s secure then why not.
Only advantage of using the Raynox adapter might be quick release.
Either way it’s a bit of a waste of time in my opinion as the increase in magnification is minimal.
The x4 Raynox would be a better bet although working distance becomes rather short at max mag.

There is a Raynox calculator at
http://extreme-macro.co.uk …er-techniques/#calculator

Using input values of 60mm, 1, and 19 cm, the calculator suggests that the Raynox 250 will boost magnification from 1x to about 1.96x. That is a very big increase in magnification, and gets into territory where it is hard to light the subject properly and hard to focus, or even find the subject. The value of 1.96x is just an estimate. You would need to test it to find out what it really is. Racketman is in a position to do that.

Also, note that the working distance (from the front of the lens to the subject) becomes much less with the Raynox. My guess is that it will be around 50 to 60 mm, compared to around 100 mm without the Raynox.

Archibald wrote in post #18836919
There is a Raynox calculator at
http://extreme-macro.co.uk …er-techniques/#calculator

Using input values of 60mm, 1, and 19 cm, the calculator suggests that the Raynox 250 will boost magnification from 1x to about 1.96x. That is a very big increase in magnification, and gets into territory where it is hard to light the subject properly and hard to focus, or even find the subject. The value of 1.96x is just an estimate. You would need to test it to find out what it really is. Racketman is in a position to do that.

Also, note that the working distance (from the front of the lens to the subject) becomes much less with the Raynox. My guess is that it will be around 50 to 60 mm, compared to around 100 mm without the Raynox.

That is similar to the Canon MPE65 mm working distance.

It may have been you that alerted me to this chap’s excellent springtail shots. He uses Panasonic and Zuiko 60mm plus either a single or two stacked M-250 or a M-250 and extension tube.
The post focus feature of the Panasonic is interesting. It’s a take from 4K video mode but quality seems good. I presume the same feature for the latest 6k Panasonics would be even better?

https://www.flickr.com …/albums/7215764​9101344876

Just had a test with the various combos and on reflection the M-202 is very hard to use even given these are all hand held with LED lighting so no real attempt for maximum sharpness.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2dXY​QDX

racketman wrote in post #18836924
It may have been you that alerted me to this chap’s excellent springtail shots. He uses Panasonic and Zuiko 60mm plus either a single or two stacked M-250 or a M-250 and extension tube.
The post focus feature of the Panasonic is interesting. It’s a take from 4K video mode but quality seems good. I presume the same feature for the latest 6k Panasonics would be even better?

https://www.flickr.com …/albums/7215764​9101344876

It was me and I think post focus is really interesting.

racketman wrote in post #18836954
Just had a test with the various combos and on reflection the M-202 is very hard to use even given these are all hand held with LED lighting so no real attempt for maximum sharpness.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2dXY​QDX Zuiko 60mm macro by tobyjug5, on Flickr

How hard is it compared to MPE65 mm?

racketman wrote in post #18836954
Just had a test with the various combos and on reflection the M-202 is very hard to use even given these are all hand held with LED lighting so no real attempt for maximum sharpness.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2dXY​QDX Zuiko 60mm macro by tobyjug5, on Flickr

Very useful test series.

I’d have to spend more time with it but my initial feeling is the MPe is easier to use than the M-202. The M-250/extension tube is a good combo.

After seeing this photo I wonder if you need more than just the 60mm lens
https://www.flickr.com​/photos/achimowl/33602​783908

davholla wrote in post #18838669
After seeing this photo I wonder if you need more than just the 60mm lens
https://www.flickr.com​/photos/achimowl/33602​783908

Stacking helps.

considering the post focus uses the 4K video capture for focus bracketing its pretty impressive; maybe slightly smoother detail than a larger sensor but very usable. Nice 3D look to the image too.
Out of interest why are you thinking of moving to Panasonic from your Canon dslr/MPE, are you after a lighter set up?

racketman wrote in post #18838760
considering the post focus uses the 4K video capture for focus bracketing its pretty impressive; maybe slightly smoother detail than a larger sensor but very usable. Nice 3D look to the image too.
Out of interest why are you thinking of moving to Panasonic from your Canon dslr/MPE, are you after a lighter set up?

Mainly because I think the post focus stacking will get better photos more of the time. Sadly no one has ever studied this, i.e compared the two to see if there is any difference for the same photographer.
People like Achim and this bloke
http://learnmacro.com …y-with-the-panasonic-gh4/

get great results but maybe they take 100s of photos or maybe they are so talented that they could do the same with a disc camera (although I doubt anyone could do that).

https://en.wikipedia.o​rg/wiki/Disc_film


I think I will get the second hand and so if there is no benefit or worse I can return them and only lose £20 or so.

Trying Panasonic GX8 with Olympus 60 mm so far the results are not good - more due to me I guess.

Neither of these were good (both the same fly)

Canon 550D

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2ekW​NN3

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2ekW​NpC

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/TiqV​gE

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2e3K​XrR

Here are more two examples.
Canon, ok reasonable detail, single shot minimal editing

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Tjcr​uC

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/24QS​ErX

davholla wrote in post #18841727
Here are more two examples.
Canon, ok reasonable detail, single shot minimal editing

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Tjcr​uC DaresCanon by davholla2002, on Flickr

Panasonic, not very good, post focus about 20 images (I think).

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/24QS​ErX DaresPanasonic-1 by davholla2002, on Flickr

I think the problem is not the gear but the relative experience, now as I could send this back for the next few days I would like to get better to make it worth while

Any advice?

I don't know what you are up to here, but I hope you get it sorted out.