Panasonic Leica 45mm f/2.8 macro with addons

Post date: Jan 28, 2013 8:23:48 AM

User shizlefonizle from mu-43.com gave me the idea to test Panasonic Leica Macro DG Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 with various addons. I wanted to know magnification and the distance from the subject to front of the lens. I don't have Kenkos extension tubes for m4/3 yet, but I found out that OM to m4/3 adapter is about the same depth of 26mm. I taped (ouch!) the lens on the adapter which gave me the right amount of extension. All of the photos were taken at f/2.8 because PL 45mm doesn't allow to change aperture when detached from the camera. This isn't the case when attached to Kenko extension tubes.

17,3mm is the dimmension of the longest side on m4/3 senzor which represents 1:1 ratio. I calculated all of the magnification ratios based on this size. Distance between each line on the ruller represents 1 mm.

Based on this test I believe the combination of Panasonic Leica 45mm macro and Kenko extension tubes is the best of both world - nice working distance and almost 2x magnification. This combination shortens the native 1:1 working distance only for a little bit, but you get real boost in magnification. Combination of lens, Kenko tubes and Raynox looks nice with 2.5x magnification but on account of really small working distance. As usual, combination of lens and Raynox dissapointed me again - small gain in magnification on account of huge working distance loss. Raynox is more suitable for lenses with longer focal distance.

Conclusion: I have to get Kenko extension tubes!