M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro Review
For macro photographers, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro from OM System, is a standout lens that excels in capturing detailed close-ups. Here’s what makes it a must-have.
Key Specs at a Glance
- Aperture: f/2.8, excellent for low light
- Focal length: 60mm (equivalent to 120mm on a Full Frame)
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Build: Weather-sealed, lightweight (185g), compact
- Optics: 13 elements in 10 groups
- Magnification: 1.0× (1:1)
- Angle of view: 20 degrees
- Vibration Reduction: No
- Dimensions: 3.2 x 2.2″ (81 x 56mm)
- Weight: 185 g (6.5 oz)
Real-World Performance
The 60mm focal length (120mm full-frame equivalent) of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens hits a sweet spot, letting you capture intricate details while staying comfortably distant. Whether it’s insects, textures, or tiny subjects, this lens handles it effortlessly. The working distance and magnification make it great for capturing shy subjects without scaring them away.
Design and Durability
At just 185g, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens is incredibly lightweight and balances well with Olympus bodies. You can shoot for extended periods without experiencing fatigue. Its weather-sealed design makes it tough enough to handle challenging environments—whether you’re in a dusty forest or a humid wetland. However, unlike the newer M.Zuiko 90mm macro lens, this model lacks an IP53 rating, so it’s best to avoid heavy rain.
Get Close, Stay Comfortable
With a 1:1 magnification ratio and an 8cm minimum working distance, you can get close to your subjects, but far enough to not spook them. This distance also provides enough room to position diffusers optimally—an important consideration for macro lighting.
Pinpoint Detail
The sharpness of this lens is one of its standout features. Even when shooting wide open at f/2.8, the detail is striking. Stopping down to f/5.6 or f/8 delivers edge-to-edge sharpness, making this lens a fantastic choice for photographers who demand precision when capturing fine details.
Background Bliss
The 7-blade circular diaphragm creates soft, creamy bokeh that beautifully isolates your subject from the background. This adds a nice artistic touch, particularly when shooting macro images that focus on textures and fine details.
Autofocus
For a macro lens, the autofocus is surprisingly fast and accurate. The focus limiter switch helps speed up the process by limiting the focusing range. It’s versatile enough to handle portraits too, with pleasing results.
Focus Limiter Switch: Precision Control at Your Fingertips
One standout feature of the M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro is the focus limiter switch (the swing dial) located on the side of the lens. This dial allows you to quickly toggle between different focusing ranges, providing greater precision and speed when capturing your subjects. The three settings are:
- 0.19m – 0.4m: Ideal for extreme close-up shots, this range helps lock focus quickly on subjects that are near the lens, minimizing focus hunting.
- 0.19m – infinity: This full range is useful when shooting in mixed environments, such as when alternating between macro shots and wider scene compositions.
- 0.4m – infinity: Perfect for standard close-ups and non-macro subjects, this setting speeds up focusing when you don’t need extreme magnification.
By limiting the focus range, the lens avoids unnecessary focus searching, significantly improving autofocus speed and accuracy. This feature is especially useful when photographing fast-moving subjects, such as insects, where time is critical.
Value for Money
Priced around $400 USD (Rs. 35,000 in India), the M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro offers excellent value for the performance it delivers. Its sharpness, compact build, and solid durability make it a worthwhile investment for both amateur and professional macro photographers.
Weaknesses
The lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) isn’t much of an issue, as Olympus bodies feature In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). However, the autofocus can slow down in low-light conditions, which is fairly common for macro lenses.
Final Thoughts:
For Micro Four Thirds users, the M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro is a must-have lens. Its combination of sharpness, build quality, and comfortable working distance makes it a versatile and powerful tool in the macro photographer’s kit.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with OM System/ Olympus, nor have I received any compensation for this review. All opinions shared are my own, based on my personal experience using the M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens.
