Equivalent to a 180mm, the 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS Pro from OM System (formerly Olympus) is a one-of-a-kind lens. By its initial power, but also coupled with a x2 teleconverter which transforms it into a 360 mm macro, both stabilized and tropicalized. A fixed focal length that could attract many enthusiasts to the Micro 4/3 system?
Fans of detail photography will have their mouths watering with the brand new optics from OM System, once known as the Olympus photo division. Yes, an optic, but not just any lens: macro optics with unparalleled power on the market… and by far (very) far! The M. Zuiko Digital ED 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS Pro is indeed a unique lens in its niche market.
Unique in its initial magnification power: with its x2 multiplier coefficient compared to “classic” mentions in mm based on 24×36 mm sensors, this jewel whose minimum focusing distance is 22.4 cm is in fact a 180mm equivalent. If the world of SLRs already had such powerful lenses (180 mm at Canon, 200 mm at Nikon, etc.), the world of hybrids, in particular with full frame sensors, is very far from this focal length in macro, with a maximum at 105mm.
But the advantage of this first “pro” macro lens from the brand (the 60 mm was not a professional lens) goes even further. Because Olympu… Uh, sorry, OM System (!) has been able to transform a weakness into a strength here. Sometimes criticized for the small size of its Micro 4/3 sensor, the Japanese brand has the advantage in terms of portability in the field of telephoto lenses (optics much lighter and more compact), but also here in terms of macro. Because the coefficient of reproduction, a real “grail” of macro practice, again benefits from this small sensor. Displayed between x1 to x2 (in super macro), it is also affected by the multiplier coefficient of the sensor. The reproduction coefficient is therefore, in fact, between x2 to x4 (in 24×36 equivalent)… And can even do even more!
Compatibility with teleconverters = record power!
In the world of those who take pictures of dandelions, fly paws and other details that are difficult (impossible!) to discern with the naked eye, to go beyond the reproduction coefficient of optics, you have to be tricky. By cropping a lot with the very defined sensors – with an associated loss of definition/resolution – or by playing with the extension tubes which make it possible to improve the minimum focusing distance. But without focal gain.
Olympus marks the blow with its 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS Pro by making its optics compatible with its MC-14 and MC-20 teleconverters. Initially intended to improve the magnification power of zoom lenses (x1.4 coefficient with the MC-14, and x2 with the MC-20), these two moderately priced accessories (€299 and €379) can now also benefit this lens macro. Transforming the equivalent 180 mm f/3.5 into 252 mm f/4.5 (MC-14), or even a 360 mm f/5.6 (loss of one stop of light with the MC-14 and two stops with the MC-20) .
The loss of brightness is partly compensated by the new stabilization integrated into this lens. Which is, once again, one of a kind…
Stabilized and tropicalized
The mechanical stabilizations of the sensor (in the case) and of the optics are most often different. And complementary: that of the sensor are more efficient for a certain type of correction, in particular roll, and that of the optics for vertical/horizontal corrections.
Taking advantage of the excellent roll stabilization in the case (Olympus is a benchmark in this area, again, thanks to its small sensor), the 90 mm can also rely on optical stabilization which also corrects the roll. A double correction that will benefit the freehand grips you will have to do. Because in fact, such magnification power (as opposed to the magnification of telephoto lenses), most often requires being at least wedged, or even downright on a tripod.
And you can stay on a tripod for a long time outside, since this 90 mm Macro benefits from the same IP53 certification as boxes like the OM1. Which means you can spend an hour in front of this tropical frog in the monsoon with your housing and optics without having to pull a tarp over your gear. This idea of resistance over time is important for this kind of perspective. In macro, it is not uncommon for photographers to stand on a tripod and shoot dozens, even hundreds of images to stitch them into one very clear image – the macro imposing a very shallow depth of field.
Again, the smaller dimensions of the sensor widen the depth of field (which adds sharpness). And some Olympus cameras such as the OM1 incorporate an image stacking function (focus stacking), but limited to 15 shots. The “real” ones who shoot details of insects – it takes 250 to 300 shots for these famous images of very clear fly eyes! – they will shoot in RAW and assemble their deluge of images in specialized software. The resistance of the optics to difficult terrain is therefore sometimes crucial depending on the practice.
This M. Zuiko Digital ED 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS Pro lens is, on paper, a little gem. Tropicalized, stabilized, provided with a clutch AF/MF clutch, light (453g), powerful and versatile (it ALSO works like a normal lens by changing the AF limiter), it should well deserve its “Pro” badge. Badge which has a cost: €1,499 with its sun visor and caps. For availability on February 28th.
