Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens Review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro Handling and features

Weighing only 185g this lens is incredibly lightweight and compact when compared to equivalent telephoto macro lenses for 35mm or APS-C system cameras. This lens is sealed against dust and moisture and the light weight means it balances well with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 body used for testing, and should be equally at home on even the most compact Micro Four Thirds system cameras.

Autofocus is performed internally and is very quick and precise, locking onto subjects at normal shooting distances in an instant. If the lens does need to hunt for focus, which may happen in low light conditions, or at close distances, then a focus limiter switch is provided to limit the amount of hunting that can take place. This switch also has a setting to automatically move focus to its closest point. Occasionally on the Panasonic camera used for testing, this feature will produce a warning asking you to use manual focus, but not in every instance. The manual focusing ring has a very smooth action and it is reasonably well damped, which makes applying fine focus adjustments relatively straightforward.




Closest focus is 19cm, which allows you to get reasonably close for frame filling shots, whilst providing a reasonable working distance at the same time. A useful distance scale with magnification values clearly marked is provided on top of the lens.

A 46mm filter thread is supplied, which does not rotate during focusing and the lens does not extend. This makes the lens ideal for use with graduated or polarising filters.  No lens hood is supplied as standard. The optional LH-49 hood retails for a rather-expensive £45 if you require one. This hood sports a novel sliding design, allowing it to be pulled back over the lens barrel when not needed, or when shooting at close distances.

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