review: Olympus M.Zuiko 30mm macro

2024.12.25 (updated : 2024.12.27)

The Olympus M.Zuiko 30mm f/3.5 macro lens for the micro-four-thirds mount is an interchangeable lens that complements a 60mm lens with a macro switch that people rave about. I went with this 30mm model instead, because I figured it offered a useful walk-around focal length as a second lens to my M.Zuiko 9-18mm every-day-carry.

I barely held onto this lens for six weeks. In short, it has design problems that limit its use beyond the point that I wanted to own it.

There were two "deal-breakers" for me: problems that I couldn't overlook. The lens front-focuses, which makes macro work very difficult when using the viewfinder in manual or auto-focus mode. Secondly, there is a lot of glare even when the lens has a hood or a polarizer in front of it. I have no idea how that's possible, the front element isn't really that large but it's quite pronounced.

sample images

The photo above shows a combo of difficult auto-focus precision and the rather weak macro effect.

Fairly decent clarity and 3D rendering to this one, and the one below.

Interestingly, it was capable of nice landscape photos under ideal situations.

(But the photo with all the glare was the very next photo I took.)

This would prove to be my favorite photo with this lens. The focus isn't quite right, however. Which brings me to:

front-focusing

Here are some examples of the front-focusing issue.

glare

I love flare. This is something else.

build and use

This is a classic plastic lens. Handling is uninspiring, with very light construction and a texture to the focus ring that feels cheap. The lens has a metal lens mount, however. And I must say that the thing is as light as any lens I've ever used. And the auto-focus is as fast as it gets. The accessory ring is a small 46mm, which will contain the costs of filters.

conclusion

I don't have a lot more to say. Buying this lens only to return it in six weeks was pretty dumb, I should have looked into it some more before doing so. If I were to do this again I would try an inexpensive macro such as this TTArtisans 40mm*. It has a metal body and completely avoids the glare problem.

I do not recommend this Olympus lens.

*(Affiliate link to a product I haven't tried.)

rand()m quote

Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

—Abraham Lincoln