Zuiko Digital 70-300 mm F/4.0-5.6 and EX-25 (1 Viewer)

Cristian Mihai

Cristian Mihai

• Aug 8, 2009

• #1

Hi everybody,

I took some test shots with the combo (Ron's suggestion). It works pretty good. Obviously you don't have focus for long distances (over a few meters) and you can use any focal lengths (focus available only in the range 150 mm - 300 mm).
All pics taken with E-520 handheld, Av, ISO 400, exposure compensation -0.3. Only resize.
#1 - in direct sun light (F13, 1/400, 252 mm)
#2 - in the shadow of a tree (F7.1, 1/200, 239 mm)
#3 - in the shadow of a tree (F6.3, 1/250, 239 mm)
#4 - in the shadow of a tree but with the built-in flash (F10, 1/180, 239 mm).

 

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Last edited: Aug 8, 2009

Cristian Mihai

Cristian Mihai

• Aug 8, 2009

• #2

Another subject. Taken with the same combo.

 

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RAH

Well-known member

• Aug 9, 2009

• #3

That's a very nice bee picture! From what I have read, I've been under the impression that the EX-25 doesn't add much more close-up ability to the 70-300, for various optical reasons (e.g. it already focuses very close, etc), as opposed to the 40-150, where it gives a lot more close-up ability. Is this true? I have never even tried the EX-25 on my 70-300 because it seemed why bother, since you can get VERY close with the 70-300 alone.

I am mentioning this because are you sure you cannot get the same shots with the 70-300 all by itself? I have a feeling you might be making things more difficult than you need to by adding the EX-25 to the 70-300.

 

Cristian Mihai

Cristian Mihai

• Aug 9, 2009

• #4

Hi RAH,

I can not say anything about 40-150, because I didn't use this lens (I have 14-42 and 50-200 SWD, so, from my point of view, 40-150 it's redundant). Probably the combo EX-25 + 70-300 mm is a little bit redundant, but as you can see in the post #35 from the thread: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=140938&page=2 Ron was interested in this issue.

The bee pic looks better for two reasons: PP and a very good light. The pics with the moth are only resized. You can see a PP pic with the moth here: http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/265789/ppuser/54311

 

Last edited: Aug 9, 2009

Cristian Mihai

Cristian Mihai

• Aug 9, 2009

• #5

Another pic taken with the same combo:
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/265937/ppuser/54311

 

NoSpringChicken

Well-known member

• Aug 10, 2009

• #6

Thanks for doing those experiments Cristian. The results look good, especially the Grasshopper. It's useful to know that the EX-25 works with the 70-300, although I have no immediate plans to get one. The 70-300 is a very versatile walk-about lens and copes with most requirements from close-up to moderate telephoto pretty well if not really brilliantly. Most of my photography involves going for a walk and photographing whatever pops up, rather than going out to take macro photographs.

Ron

 

Last edited: Aug 10, 2009

Cristian Mihai

Cristian Mihai

• Aug 10, 2009

• #7

I agree that for usual macro work 70-300 alone is all you need. As a matter of fact I bought the EX-25 for the 50-200 SWD not for 70-300. Soon I will test the combo 50-200 SWD + EX-25 and we'll see the results...

 

RAH

Well-known member

• Aug 10, 2009

• #8

Yes, the 50-200 (or 40-150) is where the EX-25 should really shine. Neither lens is particularly close-focusing (unlike the 70-300), so it adds that capability to the lens.

Plus, since they are fairly high-magnification zoom lenses, you have good working distance, and you can use the zoom to attain approximate focus (instead of moving the camera forward and back the way you normally would with a prime lens).

 

ammadoux

Registered doux

• Aug 11, 2009

• #9

thanks for these great experiment Christian, i think i will try it with my ED 40-150 mm.
i have used it with the ED 50 mm macro lens works fine but have to be really close, so i will try your combo and the other one.