Rainy Day Play

Today’s Post by Mildred Alpern

Rainy days with whipping winds present indoor occasions to try out two different prime macro lenses, the Olympus M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 and the Olympus M. Zuiko 30mm f/3.5. My husband is a collector of objet d’art, and on his bureau is a gathering of friendly miniature figures. I like having a record of his collection with the purpose of creating a small booklet at a later date for a gift. So on days when the weather is inclement, I find these animal figures fun to photograph. Outdoors in rain, the 60mm would have the advantage since it is weather sealed. Indoors, however, that feature is unimportant.

Other web sites delve into the specifications and contrast of the two lenses in terms of magnification, size (the 60mm is longer) and focal length (the 30mm is shorter). Since my subjects are inanimate, getting close to them with both lenses is no problem as it might be with the 30mm and a moving subject.

A significant difference in the lenses is the field of view. Whereas the perspective is wider with the 30mm macro, the 60mm has tighter coverage. Yet I find that both lenses produce fine image quality with good detail. In a previous post, The Rembrandt Portrait, I discussed the affordable ($299) 30mm lens along with its walkabout capabilities. Here, my images focus on its uses for macro photography alongside its pricier ($499) Olympus competitor.

All images were shot with Olympus E-M5 Mark II, the rhinoceros with the 30mm lens at an exposure of 1/13 sec at f/4, ISO 400, -1 EV; the dog also with the 30mm lens with an exposure of 1/15 sec at f/5, IS) 400, -1 EV; and the bird, with the 60mm lens with an exposure of 1/4 sec at f/5, ISO 400, +2/3 EV.

Mildred’s book Haiku and Images is available on Amazon and is filled wit h beautifully reproduced color photographs along with original haiku underneath, embellishing the image and deepening its meaning. Pick up a copy to give as gift for yourself or a friend.