Photo Review 8.8

In summary

Like all true macro lenses, Panasonic’s 30mm f/2.8 macro lens is designed to provide a 1:1 reproduction ratio for ‘life-size’ photography of small subjects. It is ideal for photographing small flowers and insects as well as taking close-ups of jewellery and art works and shooting details in larger objects.

The 60mm equivalent focal length is also well suited to portrait photography. Here, the f/2.8 maximum aperture enables photographers to use selective focusing creatively to blur objects in backgrounds (or foregrounds) that would otherwise attract unwanted attention.

Full review

Panasonic’s just-announced Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens is the second dedicated macro lens the company has produced for Micro Four Thirds cameras and the third macro lens available for the format to date.

The Leica-branded DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 ASPH. O.I.S. lens was introduced in late 2009, followed by the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens in early 2012.

Angled view of the Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens without end caps. (Source: Panasonic.)

Unlike the 14mm f/2.8 II and 35-100mm f/4-5.6 lenses we have just reviewed, this lens won’t be available in Australia until May 2015, with pricing announced just before the release date. We received a pre-release, production quality unit for this review.

The optical design of the lens contains nine elements in nine groups, with a single aspherical element to control chromatic aberrations and distortions. Proprietary multi-layer coatings suppress ghosting and lens flare to ensure optimal contrast and colour fidelity.

The diagram above shows the position of the single aspherical element in the optical design of the lens. (Source: Panasonic.)

Panasonic’s MEGA O.I.S. optical stabilisation is built into the lens to compensate for camera shake (although no claim is made about the degree of compensation). The 30mm focal length is equivalent to a 60mm lens on a 35mm camera, which suggests that basic shake correction should be adequate.

The f/2.8 maximum aperture provides some scope for depth-of-field control, while the seven-bladed iris diaphragm, which closes to a circular aperture, should deliver attractive bokeh at wide aperture settings.

Autofocusing is driven by a stepping motor, which operates quietly and smoothly, making it ideal for shooting movie clips. The internal focusing design enables the AF drive to support a 240 fps signal transfer rate for fast, responsive operation.

Who’s it for?

Like all true macro lenses, Panasonic’s 30mm f/2.8 macro lens is designed to provide a 1:1 reproduction ratio for ‘life-size’ photography of small subjects. It is ideal for photographing small flowers and insects as well as taking close-ups of jewellery and art works and shooting details in larger objects.

The 60mm equivalent focal length is also well suited to portrait photography. Here, the f/2.8 maximum aperture enables photographers to use selective focusing creatively to blur objects in backgrounds (or foregrounds) that would otherwise attract unwanted attention.

Physically, the 30mm f/2.8 macro lens is longer and heavier than some of Panasonic’s zoom lenses so it’s less suitable for general purpose photography. Its focal length is also a bit too short for shooting sports and wildlife ““ but too long for many landscapes or most architectural photography.

Build and Ergonomics

The supplied lens appeared to have been made from a combination of metal and high-quality polycarbonate since most of the barrel was cool to touch and it ends in a very solid metal mounting plate. Build quality was good on the whole.

Internal focusing means the length of the lens barrel doesn’t change during focusing and the front element of the lens doesn’t rotate. The only control surface on the lens is a 20mm wide focusing ring, which is located about six millimetres behind the lens cap mounting. It’s made from inflexible plastic and has fine ribbing for a secure grip.

There’s no auto/manual switch on the lens so switching between them must be done via the camera. Since manual focusing is handled electronically, the camera must also be switched on. Any focusing aids the camera provides will work with this lens, including magnification, peaking, etc.

The focusing ring turned very smoothly and it is easy to make precise adjustments, although magnification was required to obtain accurate focus for macro shots. Behind the focusing ring, the lens barrel remains cylindrical for roughly 30 mm and then steps in sharply to the bayonet mounting plate.

Eleven gold-plated contacts within the mount enable electrical signals to pass between the camera and the lens. A soft carrying pouch with a drawstring closure is supplied with the lens, along with a printed warranty leaflet and a couple of large sheets of paper carrying usage instructions in various languages.

Performance

Our Imatest tests showed the review lens was capable of exceeding expectations for the sensors of both the cameras we used for our tests: the Panasonic DMC-GH4 and the Olympus OM-D E-M1. Slightly higher resolutions were achieved with the E-M1 so we have based our test reports on images from that camera.

Resolution peaked at f/4.5 but remained above expectations from f/2.8 to between f/6.3 and f/7.1, where diffraction began to take effect. Despite slight softening, edge sharpness was good throughout the full aperture range, as shown in the graph of our Imatest results below.



We found an interesting pattern in the results of our tests for lateral chromatic aberration. It was lowest at the widest apertures but increased progressively until f/22, at which point it transitioned from negligible to low CA. In the graph of our Imatest results below, the red line marks this transition.





There was no evidence of coloured fringing in any test shots. Vignetting (corner darkening) was very well controlled and barely visible at the widest aperture setting. Rectilinear distortion was also effectively negligible.

Strong backlighting was handled effectively, and, although the lens could be forced to flare when a bright light source was included in the image frame, contrast and colour rendition were noticeably better than we obtained in similar shots taken with the 35-100mm f/4.0-5.6 lens.

The shallow depth of field in macro shots taken at f/2.8 made close focusing quite challenging, although autofocusing was relatively fast and very quiet. Fortunately, the MEGA O.I.S. stabilisation combined effectively with in-camera magnification to allow the lens to be used hand-held for many close-up shots with shutter speeds as slow as 1/15 second.

Bokeh was reasonably attractive, although we found some instances of highlight outlining in shots with bright areas in the background. Where background contrast was low, bokeh was nice and smooth.



Conclusion

Panasonic’s Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens is a welcome addition to the specialised close-up lenses available for M4/3 cameras. Offering the shortest focal length of the trio, it is likely to be the most affordably priced if US prices are any guide.

The local price of this lens was still to be announced when we received the review sample. However, the leading US online re-sellers have it priced at US $397.99, which is less than the asking prices for the Panasonic DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 ASPH. O.I.S. lens (the most expensive of the trio) and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens. The 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens is due to go on sale in Australia in May 2015.

SPECS

Picture angle: 40 degrees

Minimum aperture: f/22

Lens construction: 9 elements in 9 groups (including one aspherical lens element)

Lens mounts: Micro Four Thirds

Diaphragm Blades: 7 (circular aperture)

Focus drive: Stepping motor

Stabilisation: MEGA O.I.S.

Minimum focus: 10.5 cm

Maximum magnification: 1:1 (life size)

Filter size: 46 mm

Dimensions (Diameter x L): 58.8 x 63.5 mm

Weight: 180 grams

Standard Accessories: Front and rear caps, soft storage bag

TESTS

Based on ORF.RAW files taken with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera.





SAMPLES

Vignetting at f/2.8. (Taken from an uncorrected ORF.RAW file.)



Rectilinear distortion. (Taken from an uncorrected ORF.RAW file.)



Slight flare in contre-jour lighting;



ISO 200, 1/320 second at f/8.



Crop from a 100% enlargement of the above image showing no evidence of coloured fringing.



Stabilisation test; 1/15 second at f/2.8; ISO 200.



ISO 200, 1/160 second at f/2.8.



ISO 200, 1/125 second at f/2.8.



ISO 200, 1/400 second at f/2.8.



ISO 200, 1/250 second at f/2.8.



ISO 200, 1/320 second at f/2.8.



ISO 320, 1/80 second at f/3.2.





ISO 640, 1/80 second at f/3.5.



Close-up of jewellery, taken with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera and MAL-1 macro arm light. ISO 100, 1/80 second at f/2.8.

Rating

RRP: AU$tba; US$397.99

Build: 8.5

Handling: 8.5

Image quality: 8.8

Versatility: 8.5

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